Barbara Gaskins

Location

Greenville, NC

Running For

Mayor

Affiliation

Independent

"All Gas No Brakes to Move Greenville Forward"

Issues

Increasing affordable housing options

While our community is growing many people, born and raised in the area are being pushed out through gentrification or other means. It is important that we keep the original essence of our community alive and this includes our people. we must work together with developers and investors to bring affordable housing options into our area.

Encouraging community-led crime watch and prevention efforts

Crime reduction is a big deal within our community we have seen just how bad criminal activity is. The problem that lies at hand is that although the police mean well, their way of policing is not working, we need to include those closest to the problem in order to formulate better solutions when it comes to reducing crime.

Attracting and retaining businesses

Greenvill means business was a former tagline used within our community. The problem is is that although businesses come to Greenville, they are also leaving Greenville. It is important to find ways to sustain businesses, as well as find ways to increase business growth, especially minority business.

Get me trending

#BGaskins2023

Endorsements

No endorsements available.

Candidate info

About me

Hi, my name is Barbara Gaskins and I am running for Mayor in Greenville NC. As a Nationally Certified Reentry Professional and Gang Specialist, I have dedicated my career to helping at-risk youth, for really incarcerated individuals , and advocating for communities. I am passionate about the arts, particularly hip hop culture, as it is an empowering outlet for creativity and expression. I have been a vocal community advocate and activist, fighting for the rights and voices of the unheard. My journey into politics began when I was arrested in Washington DC while protesting for voting rights. I realized that I needed to take my activism from the streets to a position where I can truly make a difference and amplify the voice of the people. Currently, I am working on a Community Violence Intervention program in NC to address and reduce violence and crime. As Mayor, I will prioritize increasing affordable housing options to prevent the displacement of our community members due to gentrification. Additionally, I will promote community-led crime watch and prevention efforts to tackle the issue of crime in our area by involving those closest to the problem in developing effective solutions. Economic development is another key area of focus for me, as we need to attract and retain businesses, especially minority-owned businesses, in order to sustain and grow our local economy. Together, let's build a stronger, more inclusive community where everyone has a voice and can thrive.

Why I'm Running

I am running for the office of Mayor in Greenville NC I believe in true representation and amplifying the voice of the people. As a Nationally Certified Reentry Professional and Gang Specialist, I have dedicated my career to advocating for the unheard and working towards reducing violence and crime in our community. I have been actively involved in the arts, particularly hip hop culture, as I believe it has the power to empower and uplift at-risk youth. My activism started on the streets, but I realized that in order to make a real difference, I need to seek a seat in politics. My main priorities as Mayor will be increasing affordable housing options to prevent displacement, encouraging community-led crime watch and prevention efforts for effective crime reduction, and attracting and retaining businesses, especially minority-owned businesses, for economic development in our community. Together, we can keep the essence of our community alive and ensure a better future for all.

Current Occupation

Nationally Certified Reentry Professional/ Nationally Certified Gang Specialist

Past Experience

I am a Community Advocate, an activist that has been very vocal in being a voice for the unheard. My official start in politics, was when I went to DC and was arrested after. Protesting for our voting rights and for the president in the filibuster on that day, I realized that I must take my activism from the street and I must seek a seat in areas where we the people can have a voice and make a difference. I am currently working in NC to assist with a Community violence Intervention program to decrease violence and crime throughout the state. I am running for mayor to amplify the voice of the people, and to provide true representation without strings.

Fun Fact

I absolutely love the arts especially hip hop culture. I think that hip-hop is not only a genre of music, it is also a culture that is often not understood. It was originally started in New York as an outlet to empower and uplift at risk youth to use their creativity. It has since become a global culture and has the power to influence all. I love music in general, because music allows us to look past differences to enjoy what we hear.