Jamel Campbell-Gooch

Location

D21 - Hadley Park, North Nashville, TN

Running For

City Council

Affiliation

Independent

"Empower the people. Vote Jamel Campbell-Gooch for City Council District 21!"

Issues

Participatory budgeting

Participatory democracy is the foundation of a just and equitable society. It means that every voice is heard, every idea is valued, and every person has agency over their life. Participatory democracy is at the heart of building a strong, resilient community that works for everyone. It means that everyone's voice is heard and everyone's ideas and opinions are valued. As a candidate committed to building an equitable community, I understand the importance of participatory democracy and am dedicated to practicing it in our community. Here's why you should be excited to participate in the democratic process via participatory democracy.

Increasing affordable housing options

Housing is not just a commodity but a fundamental human right that must be guaranteed to everyone, regardless of income or background. We must prioritize development without displacement, which means investing in affordable housing and community-led initiatives that put the needs of residents first. Gentrification and displacement have devastated many of our neighborhoods - especially historically Black neighborhoods - pushing out long-time residents and disrupting the social fabric of Black communities. Together, we can build a future where Black and working-class people can thrive, regardless of income or background.

Get me trending

#JamelforCouncil2023

Endorsements

No endorsements available.

Candidate info

About me

My name is Jamel Campbell-Gooch, and I am running for City Council in District 21. Currently, I work as the Organizing Director at the Southern Movement Committee. A fun fact about me is that in 2011, I made the brave decision to leave college and take on a full-time job at Foot Locker. During that time, I not only immersed myself in sneaker culture, building an impressive collection of over 200 shoes, but I also learned the value of hard work and the challenges faced by hourly workers. This experience, combined with my eventual return to Tennessee State University and graduation in 2015, has shaped my perspective and fueled my passion for representing District 21 on the City Council. I am committed to bringing a strong work ethic and a deep understanding of the issues faced by low-wage workers to my role. Together, let's build a District 21 where hard work is acknowledged, workers are respected, and opportunities for success are accessible to all. Throughout my career, as a public servant and community organizer, I have consistently achieved results. I have dedicated over a decade to organizing with Black and working-class families, advocating for policies and programs that prioritize the needs of students, teachers, public employees, and working-class families. My campaign focuses on building democracy, investing in community-driven public safety, fully funding education, and significantly expanding affordable housing. One of my key priorities is implementing participatory budgeting to ensure government transparency and give every voice a platform. I firmly believe in participatory democracy as the foundation of a just and equitable society. Housing is another crucial issue that I am deeply passionate about. I view housing as a fundamental human right that should be accessible to everyone, regardless of income or background. We must prioritize affordable housing, development without displacement, and community-led initiatives that prioritize the needs of residents. Together, let's create a future where Black and working-class communities can thrive, no matter their income or background.

Why I'm Running

My name is Jamel Campbell-Gooch, and I am running for City Council in District 21. I have personally experienced the impact of systemic racism and targeted policing, but I also know the transformative power of public education and community resources. My work is driven by a belief in our collective capacity to build communities centered on dignity and humanity. I have firsthand knowledge of the struggles faced by working-class families, having worked long hours and faced financial hardships myself. I understand the importance of affordable housing in addressing displacement, as my own family has been both displaced and welcomed back through the Affordable Housing program. I have spent years fighting alongside Black and working-class families, advocating for fairness and economic justice. As an organizer and fighter, I am committed to putting people over profit. I will champion legislation that increases affordable housing, prioritizes education, and invests in community-driven public safety. I am running to build democracy in Nashville, starting in District 21. Together, we can create a stronger, more just community for all.

Current Occupation

Organizing Director at the Southern Movement Committee

Past Experience

I am a public servant and community organizer who gets results. I have spent over a decade organizing with Black and working-class families to implement policies and programs that center students, teachers, public employees, and working-class families. Our campaign is about building democracy, investing in community-driven public safety, fully funding education, and significantly expanding affordable housing.

Fun Fact

In 2011, I made the courageous choice to leave college and take on a full-time job at Foot Locker. During those years, I not only immersed myself in sneaker culture, building a collection of over 200 shoes including Retro Jordans, Foamposites, and Pyer Moss, but I also learned the value of hard work and the struggles faced by hourly workers. This experience, coupled with my eventual return to Tennessee State University and graduation in 2015, has shaped my perspective and instilled in me a deep commitment to bring that work ethic and understanding of the challenges faced by low-wage workers to my role representing District 21 on the City Council. Together, let's build a District 21 where hard work is honored, workers are respected, and opportunities for success are accessible to all.