Karen Camper
Learn more about my campaign here
My Blueprint for Change
Youth
How would you create more things for youth to do - including jobs and safe educational, fun places? Please be specific.
As Mayor, I would want to establish and fund Vocational Zones (VoZones) across the city. These zones would be used to address the lack of safe, educational and fun spaces for our youth. The VoZones programming would be centered around providing activities like how to write and record music, while also learning how the business side of the music industry works; it would incorporate the use of flying drones and the applications of how to use them but also how to build them and how they work; it would allow young people to learn how to create videos and content online but also how to monetize and market their creations.
On jobs, I would like to create a partnership with the Chamber of Commerce to open up opportunities for entry level positions with their members that young people will be able to fill so that they can gain experience in workplaces outside of restaurant or retail opportunities.
Careers
What do you believe is the appropriate local investment in post-secondary training, internship and apprenticeship opportunities?
Without a comprehensive budget review, I’m not able to assign a dollar amount to this question. However, if elected Mayor, I do plan on prioritizing job training and workforce development as an integral piece of my overall strategy to lift Memphians out of poverty and provide a path to upward mobility for our young people. I mentioned previously a partnership with the Chamber of Commerce with a focus on white collar job experiences for young people, but I would also look to our unions to satisfy a partnership where they begin accepting pre-apprenticeship opportunities for high school students and increasing apprenticeship opportunities for those out of high school but who prefer to learn a trade than go to college.
Wages
How would you impact wages or working conditions for Memphians, especially young adults?
I believe that if our investments in job training and workforce development are successful that Memphians who have obtained certifications, apprenticeships or degrees will be able to land job opportunities that will pay living wages and more. As for Memphians who are working in historically low wage industries, I would advocate for a $15 minimum wage, paid time off, health insurance and paid child care from employers. I would take a hard look at the city budget to see if there is a way that the city with the help from our state and federal partners could provide some subsidy for paid child care for working Memphians.
Predatory Policies
How would you address companies that take advantage of poor people, for example slumlords and predatory financing companies?
As Mayor, I would work with our city council to create tighter regulations and fines on landlords who are not providing for the needs of their tenants. I would ask for the council to designate rent controls throughout the city limiting the ability for landlords to raise rents to exorbitant levels that price tenants out of housing.
Predatory lending companies that are charging extremely high interest rates and that also draw fees from clients will have to be more closely regulated. I will work with the General Assembly to pass legislation with a similar ordinance to be passed by the city council capping interest rates on payday loans, capping charges for late payment and eliminating fees associated with transactions. This should allow for access to credit for subprime applicants as well as acknowledging that their loan will not be a cycle that keeps them in poverty.
JW Gibson
Learn more about my campaign here
My Blueprint for Change
Youth
How would you create more things for youth to do - including jobs and safe educational, fun places? Please be specific.
As a current business leader and next Mayor, I will focus on economic growth by working closely with the Chamber of Commerce to bring high tech jobs to our city, including those utilizing AI technology. I will also focus on expanding the creative community in our city with a focus on art and cultural amenities. One of my six platforms at www.jwgibsonformayor.com is focused on growing our local musical talent and the industry that supports it. Finally, I will continue to support the expansion of public green space such as I did with Shelby Farms and Tom Lee Park.
Careers
What do you believe is the appropriate local investment in post-secondary training, internship and apprenticeship opportunities?
I am a firm believer that our city needs to get back in the business of workforce development to take advantage of immediate opportunities such as Blue Oval City and achieve the economic growth we all desire. I will support the city’s investment in CCTE programs in our high schools to give our youth a head start on post-secondary certifications and training. I will pursue local, state and federal funds that can be used for training and apprenticeship opportunities through the re-establishment of a grant office in the city administration.
Wages
How would you impact wages or working conditions for Memphians, especially young adults?
MIT reports that a living wage in Memphis is just under $15.00 per hour, $28 per hour with one child and $46 per hour with three children. I will advocate that our local employers provide a living wage for our citizens. I will also encourage our businesses to offer benefits for their employees, particularly medical coverage.
Predatory Policies
How would you address companies that take advantage of poor people, for example slumlords and predatory financing companies?
I will work with real estate professionals and state legislators to create a landlord registry that will require reporting on the upkeep of properties that can be enforced through the Code Enforcement Division of the city. As a Shelby County Commissioner from 2006-10, I learned that most of predatory lending issues are governed by State law. I will work closely with our Shelby County delegation to strongly advocate for changes in these laws to afford the protection we need. I will ensure that we are enforcing these laws and regulations to the extent we are able to do so locally.
Reggie Hall
Learn more about my campaign here
My Blueprint for Change
Youth
How would you create more things for youth to do - including jobs and safe educational, fun places? Please be specific.
As Mayor, I would commence by implementing a more comprehensive approach to address this issue. Strengthening the city’s core values and fostering community trust will mark our first strides in the right direction. My office would shoulder the responsibility of establishing youth job programs and providing training for young adults to secure the job opportunities they desire. I’m placing significant emphasis on vocational training programs in high schools and resource centers for young individuals interested in advancing their skills in fields such as business development and management, thus helping them expedite their progress and enabling entrepreneurship through their own efforts.
Careers
What do you believe is the appropriate local investment in post-secondary training, internship and apprenticeship opportunities?
My office will conduct research and assessment to formulate recommendations, taking into account the demand for workers and skilled professionals in specific industries, as well as the imperative of allocating the requisite resources for achieving optimal success. I am committed to allocating the necessary resources and funds to foster the development of young professionals within the workforce, all while prudently considering the financial health of our city. Furthermore, my office will actively engage in collaborations with the private sector to expand opportunities for young professionals to enhance their skills and talents through a diverse array of measures.
Wages
How would you impact wages or working conditions for Memphians, especially young adults?
I will expand the current PILOT program and incentivize local businesses to invest in training and vocational education, thereby enabling them to provide competitive wages and benefits for young professionals in the workforce. My office will also tackle housing affordability issues, particularly in higher-cost, affluent neighborhoods, and address safety concerns in lower-income communities. These measures are essential to improving the quality of life for young people in our city.
Predatory Practices
How would you address companies that take advantage of poor people, for example slumlords and predatory financing companies?
I will advocate for state-level changes that target predatory practices unfairly impacting vulnerable individuals. I will support legislation aimed at increasing transparency and providing greater protection for disenfranchised communities. Additionally, I will champion financial literacy programs to offer more opportunities for people to learn about homeownership and various forms of financial planning that can benefit them in the long run.
Michelle McKissack
Learn more about my campaign here
My Blueprint for Change
Youth
How would you create more things for youth to do - including jobs and safe educational, fun places? Please be specific.
My platform is called Whole City Memphis because I will use the city government to bring the whole city together to address our needs. In my administration, we will open up all city departments to hire 5,000+ MSCS students for internships and apprenticeships. I will lead the city to bridge the gap between higher education institutions, unions, and MSCS to boost the certifications that students can earn while in high school, which eventually lead to high paying jobs. With the YMCA, we can teach kids how to swim, and then hire some as lifeguards to open our community pools.
Careers
What do you believe is the appropriate local investment in post-secondary training, internship and apprenticeship opportunities?
Providing post-secondary opportunities to young people is critical to the growth of our community. But, when speaking with young adults, I keep hearing that many are also looking to pivot into entrepreneurship. In addition to the various technical resources that city and local organizations already provide to entrepreneurs, I will put in place policies that allow for emerging entrepreneurs to win an allocation of contracts from the city. Businesses need contracts and cash to survive, and as Mayor I will also lead the city to partner with banks to develop creative financing opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs.
Wages
How would you impact wages or working conditions for Memphians, especially young adults?
A lack of opportunities to learn new job skills and advance in their careers leaves many unable to earn more money, forcing them to take on lower-wage jobs with higher health risks and contributing to families experiencing poverty for generations. As Mayor, I will create Workforce Memphis, a private/public partnership to develop a plan to help more residents in underserved areas gain new skills to get higher-paying jobs. I would also work to create a central hub where people can get information and help to pursue new career opportunities.
Predatory Practices
How would you address companies that take advantage of poor people, for example slumlords and predatory financing companies?
I would address historical housing inequities by promoting non-discriminatory practices, supporting inclusive housing policies and ordinances, and providing resources for housing assistance programs. An example is publishing an online landlord registry, which allows tenants to see information about the building’s owner, contact information, and outstanding building violations. Currently, potential code enforcement violations are discovered through citizen complaints and referrals from other agencies. I would work to require proactive building inspections once every five years. Landlords would then be required to fix any health or safety violations within a reasonable time frame, reducing tenant exposure to harmful chemicals like lead paint.
Van Turner
Learn more about my campaign here
My Blueprint for Change
Youth
How would you create more things for youth to do - including jobs and safe educational, fun places? Please be specific.
Summer Jobs Program - Work in coordination with schools and communities to ensure ALL our young people have a Clear pathway to employment.
Youth Apprenticeship Program - partner with union apprenticeship programs to ensure youth in our city are exposed to paths to high wage jobs. In collaboration with local schools, universities, labor organizations, and justice agencies,
Re-engagement Center - open a “Re-engagement Center” particularly tailored to draw in young people ages 16-24 who are not working or in school (opportunity youth).
Mayor’s Youth Commission - As mayor, I will create a youth commission to hear directly from young people
Careers
What do you believe is the appropriate local investment in post-secondary training, internship and apprenticeship opportunities?
At the crux of my campaign is a promise to Memphians that we need to prevent crime before it even starts. That means investing in our young people outside of the traditional public education system, including the items you’ve outlined. As mayor, I have two main functions that work in tandem. First, the bully pulpit -- which allows me to relentlessly advocate for this issue and draw in private partners like yourself that want to collaborate in private-public partnerships. Second, funds. As mayor, I will support the public-side of these private-public partnerships that are critical. As an example, I am proud to be supported by the Memphis Labor Council and will be outspoken about the great work they are doing to ensure our young people have a pathway to a good-paying job that doesn’t require a degree. I’ll also look to technology to ensure that we are working with groups on jobs that will only increase with importance in the coming decades.
Wages
How would you impact wages or working conditions for Memphians, especially young adults?
It is extremely frustrating that the state has refused to heed the calls of so many to raise the minimum wage. As mayor, I can and will advocate to the State Legislature and the Governor to raise it, but I know that it is unlikely our calls are headed.
But as an attorney who’s represented numerous employees who’ve faced discrimination, I know this challenge first hand to ensure safe working conditions. We can work with law enforcement and the DA, who I am proud to have the endorsement of, to vigorously go after wage theft employers, who prey on the young.
Predatory Practices
How would you address companies that take advantage of poor people, for example slumlords and predatory financing companies?
Many times, these individuals and entities are technically in compliance with the law, which makes them particularly difficult to go after — despite their clear predatory nature. As mayor, I would work creatively to tackle this issue, like exploring expanded housing protections for low income tenants. And there are some grounds to undertake this tactic. The Supreme Court held in Gladstone, Realtors v. Village of Bellwood that a municipality can sue for its own injuries that result from Fair Housing Act violations. I would direct the city attorney to look for ways to break novel legal ground to address these issues.
Paul A. Young
Learn more about my campaign here
My Blueprint for Change
Youth
How would you create more things for youth to do - including jobs and safe educational, fun places? Please be specific.
To create more opportunities for youth, I will advocate for investments in youth employment programs, mentorship initiatives, and the expansion of safe, educational, and fun spaces. This includes partnering with local businesses to provide internships and job opportunities for young adults, creating after-school programs, and revitalizing community centers to offer engaging activities for our youth.
Careers
What do you believe is the appropriate local investment in post-secondary training, internship and apprenticeship opportunities?
I believe in making a robust investment in post-secondary training, internships, and apprenticeships. This includes partnering with local colleges, vocational schools, and businesses to create accessible programs that prepare Memphians for high-demand industries. These opportunities will be vital for young adults looking to build successful careers in Memphis.
Wages
How would you impact wages or working conditions for Memphians, especially young adults?
To impact wages and working conditions, I will advocate for fair labor practices, including a minimum wage that aligns with the cost of living in Memphis. I'll support initiatives to improve workplace safety and conditions, particularly for young adults who often face unique challenges in the job market.
Predatory Policies
How would you address companies that take advantage of poor people, for example slumlords and predatory financing companies?
To address companies that take advantage of vulnerable residents, I will work with city departments to strengthen regulations and enforcement against predatory practices. This includes holding slumlords accountable for substandard housing conditions and cracking down on predatory financing companies that exploit residents. My administration will prioritize the well-being of our residents over profits.