Advocate

Greensboro City Council Candidate Survey 2025

The Greensboro Jaycees offered this survey to all candidates in the 2025 Greensboro City Council election so that they can share their plan to make Greensboro a city of choice for young adults and families. The Greensboro Jaycees is non-partisan and does not endorse candidates for any office.

• Early voting for the November 4, 2025, Municipal General Election is Thursday, October 16 to Saturday, November 1, 2025.

Survey Question: “Despite having the third largest public school system in North Carolina and several large Colleges and Universities, most young adults leave Greensboro soon after graduation. What are your top four (4) priorities for attracting and retaining young people? In your response please reference your ideas for ( [1] increasing the supply of affordable apartments/condos, townhomes, and detached homes for singles, new families, and graduates; [2] expanding access to low-cost quality entertainment and nightlife; [3] attracting more entry-level jobs that pay a living wage and have paths for advancement; [4] expanding funding and support for small business startups; [5] activating public spaces where young adults and families can gather safely).”

Candidate Responses

Mayor (Vote for 1)

Marikay Abuzuaiter

Website: https://marikayformayor.com/

My top priority to attract and retain young people is simple – do everything in my power to attract good companies, become involved with them, be present with them, and listen very intently to their ideas and their wants and needs. I am doing that by engaging with young people at several of our college and universities and, with my service organization Kiwanis, I am actually an active advisor for a College Kiwanis club. Listening to the types of jobs/careers they want is enlightening and seeing their passion for their areas of study is inspirational.

Greensboro is an amazing city that has come miraculously far in the last 12 years. After losing so many textile jobs in the 1990s, going through a major recession 2007-2010 and trying to find our “identity”, Greensboro’s trajectory is moving at lightning speed. Along with quick growth comes some major needs to retain and attract young people:

1) Housing. I prefer to call our needed housing, attainable housing. What may be attainable for one person may be totally out of range for another. We are making progress in this area but with the market as it is, we cannot set the rates for rents or purchase prices are going to be. That is private enterprise. We do, however, offer ways for developers and builders to build needed housing through grants (if they qualify) such as block grants, infrastructure needs and we are currently streamlining our permitting process. We also offer down payment assistance to first time homebuyers if they qualify. This can be up to $30,000. I want to continue this trajectory and help the City Manager meet his goal of “The Road to 10,000”.

2) Greensboro offers SO many free entertainment and recreational venues already. I’m not sure we do a good job of marketing them to our younger population. This is what I would like to improve – there has to be a way to tell everyone about all of our parks and trails, recreational facilities, musical venues, and, of course, our own NC Folk Festival that is actually happening in Greensboro yearly. Most all of what we offer is free or low cost. We just need to be able to share about the amazing opportunities more.

3) Greensboro is leading the way in attracting good paying jobs/careers. While I have been on the Greensboro City Council, I am proud to say that (in collaboration with other local and regional partners, of course) we have been able to attract amazing companies like Toyota, Boom, JetZero, Marshall Aerospace, Publix and many, many more. The ancillary and small business start-ups that will follow to accent these companies will put Greensboro on the map as “the place to be!”. When Greensboro offers them any type of incentive, we make sure that the average salaries offered are well above the median average for Guilford County.

4) Small business start-ups is something that Greensboro supports and has supported for years! As a small business owner for 22 years, I have been thrilled to see Greensboro’s public and private support for The Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship, the Forge, Transform GSO and Launch Greensboro. We must grow and fund these small business incubators and pursue innovative types of funding for them and for the small businesses that will enhance our community.

5) I am so proud of our Greensboro recreational facilities, our open spaces, trails, bike access, recreational facilities and open-air entertainment venues. To enjoy them, one must feel safe. Public Safety has always been my number one priority every single political campaign. We have patrols who canvas all of our facilities, a bike team who is downtown, ambassadors with DGI and a Citizens Police Academy that is available. Building relationships in the community is the key to a safe city – and we are doing it on a daily basis. When elected Mayor, I will continue my support of our Police Department and continue making sure that every resident can be safe in their homes, at work and at our facilities.

With several new councilpersons coming on board, I am the one who has the institutional knowledge to transition them into a solid council with all of the information needed to keep Greensboro on its trajectory of success! I look forward to serving as your Mayor.

Robbie Perkins

Website: https://voterobbieperkins.com/

Greensboro’s future depends on keeping our young people here – not just for school, but for their careers and their families. To do that, we need to build a city where opportunities, culture, and community thrive.

1) First, I’ll focus on growing good-paying jobs by supporting innovation, entrepreneurship, and partnerships with our universities and colleges. Our region has been successful in attracting jobs in high tech and aviation. Our City must connect these employers with our young professionals by establishing a clearing house for both internships and permanent employment.

2) Second, I’ll invest in quality-of-life improvements—walkable neighborhoods, vibrant downtown spaces, music and arts, and safe, affordable housing—because young people want to live in a city that feels alive. As Mayor, I will reach out to the leadership of our universities and major employers, encouraging public/private investment in our downtown to create a 24/7 city. The plan will be more than land use. It will incorporate places to live, work and play. We will pay attention to detail, knowing that talented young professionals have alternatives, and will only stay in Greensboro if it is more attractive than the competition.

3) And third, I’ll make Greensboro a place where voices are heard. I’ll create more opportunities for young people to serve on boards, commissions, and advisory councils so they have a direct say in shaping our future. We will develop a new generation of leaders that will change Greensboro.

When we build a city where young talent can help shape their future, they’ll stay, start businesses, and raise their families here. We will engage our young talent, listen to their concerns, and allow them to feel ownership in the community. Then they will stay-and Greensboro will flourish.

At Large (Vote for 3)

Irving D. Allen

Website: https://irvingallen.com/

As the youngest candidate on the ballot, a former North Carolina A&T State University student, and a community organizer who went to school in Greensboro, built a home, raised my daughters, and started my career here, I know the promise our city holds for young people. Greensboro gave me the foundation to grow, and now, with my daughter attending A&T, I’m even more committed to making sure the next generation has even greater opportunities to build a future here. My priorities are about ensuring that graduates and young families don’t just pass through Greensboro—they choose to stay, invest, and thrive.
1. Affordable Housing and Homeownership for Graduates
Too much of Greensboro’s housing stock is either luxury or out of reach for new graduates and young families. We need to add more inventory, apartments, condos, townhomes, and starter homes, designed for singles and first-time buyers. I will push for mixed-income housing developments, remove outdated zoning barriers that drive up cost, and partner with builders committed to affordability. Just as importantly, we need programs that help young people transition from renting to ownership, including down-payment assistance, first-time homebuyer support, and financial literacy programs targeted toward students graduating from A&T, UNCG, GTCC, and other local schools. As a parent raising daughters here, I want them, and every young graduate, to see Greensboro as a place where they can afford to put down roots.
2. Vibrant Entertainment, Nightlife, and Public Spaces
Young people aren’t just looking for jobs, they want a city that feels alive. We need to continue to expand affordable entertainment and nightlife that reflects Greensboro’s diversity, culture, and creativity. That means supporting local artists, small venues, and entrepreneurs to create experiences that make our city stand out. At the same time, I will work to activate more public spaces, parks, plazas, and community hubs, so young adults and families can gather safely, enjoy free programming, and feel connected to Greensboro’s identity. I’ll also encourage students and young people to join boards and commissions along with running for local offices so they can be involved in making these important decisions.
3. Jobs, Apprenticeships, and Career Growth
A degree should open the door to stability, and Greensboro must be a city where that promise is fulfilled. I will work to attract employers who commit to hiring locally, paying living wages, and offering clear paths for advancement. Just as important, we must expand apprenticeship and training programs that connect students to growing industries like healthcare, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and technology. Apprenticeships give young people immediate income, real skills, and pathways to long-term success, helping them stay and grow their futures right here at home.
4. Supporting Startups and Young Entrepreneurs
Young people aren’t just job seekers, they’re innovators and job creators. Greensboro should be the easiest place in North Carolina to start a business as a young graduate. That means expanding access to startup funding, creating shared workspaces and incubators, and connecting young entrepreneurs with mentors who can help them scale. I know from experience as a community organizer that when we support small businesses and grassroots ideas, we keep wealth, creativity, and culture in our community.
As the youngest candidate on the ballot, I bring not just policies but lived perspective. I was raised and educated in Greensboro, chose to make this city my home, raised my daughters here, and built my career here. I know the challenges and the opportunities, and I believe Greensboro’s future is bright if we choose to invest in our young people. Together, we can make Greensboro a city where every graduate sees possibility, every young family finds opportunity, and every generation has a reason to stay and thrive.

Richard Beard

Website: https://www.richardbeardforgso.com/

As someone who has worked to bring visitors and investment to our city, I understand that our greatest challenge isn’t attracting people to Greensboro—it’s giving them compelling reasons to stay. My four priorities address the fundamental needs that drive young adults’ decisions about where to build their lives:
1. Streamlining Housing Development and Reducing Regulatory Barriers
Our housing shortage stems from bureaucratic inefficiencies that delay projects and inflate costs. Having navigated municipal processes for large-scale developments, I’ve witnessed how excessive red tape drives away developers and increases housing costs.
My priority is implementing streamlined approval processes for housing developments, particularly mixed-use projects that include attainable units for young professionals and families. We need zoning reforms encouraging diverse housing types—from starter condos downtown to townhomes in transitional neighborhoods. The city should partner with developers willing to include workforce housing components, offering expedited permitting and reduced fees to ensure housing remains attainable.
We must address the “missing middle” housing gap—quality options between expensive downtown luxury units and suburban single-family homes requiring significant down payments.

2. Creating a Safe, Vibrant Downtown Through Small Business Support
Young adults need places to socialize, network, and build community. While we’ve made progress downtown, we must focus on creating a safe, walkable environment supporting existing small businesses while attracting new entrepreneurs.
My priority is working with current downtown business owners to address their challenges—navigating city regulations, accessing expansion resources, or coordinating with public safety efforts. When small businesses thrive, they create the authentic atmosphere young people value.
We need enhanced public safety presence making families and young professionals feel secure walking downtown evenings. This means strategic lighting, increased police visibility, and coordination between businesses and law enforcement.
The key is supporting entrepreneurs already invested in downtown’s success while maintaining our existing assets. The Coliseum requires consistent maintenance schedules and infrastructure investment to remain competitive for events that bring visitors and energy downtown. Rather than building new facilities, we must invest in what we already have—upgrading our venues, supporting established restaurants, and ensuring our public spaces remain attractive and functional.

3. Attracting Quality Employers and Supporting Career Development
Greensboro needs companies offering entry-level positions with advancement paths and competitive compensation. This requires aggressive business recruitment focused on industries employing recent graduates—technology, healthcare administration, advanced manufacturing, and professional services.
Having worked to bring sporting events and economic impact to our region, I understand making Greensboro attractive to outside investment. We need competitive incentive packages while demanding job quality commitments—wage thresholds, benefits packages, and professional development opportunities.
Supporting existing businesses’ growth is equally important. Many local companies want to expand but face obstacles in workforce development, regulatory compliance, or capital access. The city should connect businesses with resources and young talent while ensuring graduates know about local opportunities.

4. Expanding Small Business Support and Entrepreneurship Programs
Young adults increasingly value entrepreneurship and want supportive communities. Through my board service with the Learn to Swim program and other initiatives, I’ve seen targeted investment create lasting impact.
We need comprehensive small business incubators providing funding, mentorship, shared workspace, and connections to established networks. This means partnering with universities to create pathways from student entrepreneurship programs to viable businesses remaining in Greensboro.
The city should reduce small business formation barriers—streamlining licensing, providing regulatory guidance, and offering micro-loans for startups committing to local hiring.
Activating Public Spaces for Community Building
These priorities connect through activated public spaces where young adults and families gather safely. Downtown needs programming beyond business hours—farmers markets, outdoor concerts, fitness classes, and community events bringing people together regularly.
Success requires coordination between public and private sectors, clear communication, and sustained commitment. We need comprehensive solutions addressing housing, employment, entertainment, and community simultaneously.
Greensboro has tremendous assets—attainable living costs compared to Charlotte or Raleigh, strong educational institutions, growing cultural amenities, and authentic community character. With focused leadership and strategic investment in existing infrastructure, we can become the city where young adults choose to build their futures, not just complete their education.

T. Dianne Bellamy-Small

Website: https://www.votebellamysmall.com/

My top four priorities for attracting and retaining young people are:

1. Affordable Housing: I’ll work to increase the supply of affordable apartments, condos, and starter homes so young professionals and new families can put down roots in Greensboro instead of looking elsewhere.
2. Living-Wage Jobs: Partnering with businesses and our universities, I’ll focus on attracting and growing entry-level jobs that pay a living wage and offer clear paths for career advancement.
3. Vibrant Culture & Public Spaces: I’ll support more low-cost entertainment, nightlife, and community events while activating safe, welcoming public spaces where young adults and families can gather, connect, and enjoy the city.
4. Small Business Growth: By expanding funding, mentorship, and resources for startups, I’ll make Greensboro a place where young people can innovate, launch businesses, and thrive as entrepreneurs.

Together, these steps create a city where young adults not only graduate but also choose to live, work, and build their futures.

Hugh Holston

Website: https://hughholston.com/

My priorities for attracting and retaining young people in Greensboro include:

1. To address access and affordability of housing, we need to address the issue of ‘supply and demand’ in our housing supply. This includes all. Types of housing. When supply is down (as it is) and demand is high, then prices rise. Some specific steps to address access, supply, and affordability are:
• THE ROAD TO 10,000 – Bringing general awareness of the need to build more housing stock to close the gap between supply and demand is important. Community buy-in is critical.
• CREATE MORE DEVELOPERS – Whether the housing target is 10,000, or 33,000 or 48,000, we are going to need an increased number of developers to initiate housing projects across our great city; especially in historically neglected communities. I support one such initiative referred to as the Guilford County Homeownership Pipeline Project’s (GCHPP) Developer Capacity Building Program (DCBP)that is creating a pipeline of developers and contractors needed to help sustain our housing growth needs.
• DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE INCREASES– At the same time that housing costs have risen, wages and household wealth have not kept up the pace. This creates the situation where the borrower may not have enough cash to close simply because of inflation. Recognizing this affordability issue, City Council recently increased funding for the Homebuyer Assistance Program by adding $500,000 bringing the total to $1.5 million. The maximum assistance for first-time homebuyers was doubled from $10,000 to $20,000. Low-income buyers can get an additional $10,000 and public service employees can receive an additional $5,000. Buyers in targeted redevelopment areas can receive up to $30,000 in total assistance.

2. Greensboro is on the cusp of a major economic boom. That brings with it more residents with more disposable income to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Our younger residents will be looking for low-cost quality entertainment and nightlife, especially a ‘downtown/uptown vibe.’ To satisfy that vibe, we need to enhance the downtown experience by encouraging and motivating downtown property owners to activate the many shuddered properties into a variety of restaurant, nightlife, and entertainment venues that will attract younger residents and keep them coming back for more.

3. Over the past 3 years, the current City Council has done an excellent job of attracting more entry-level/higher paying jobs and career opportunities as evidenced by:
• Over $20 billion in new economic development capital investment in Greensboro
• Over 23,000 NEW jobs planned for Greensboro
• Over 1,100 EXISTING jobs saved from relocating away from Greensboro
In the 1980’s, our local economy was dependent on textiles, tobacco, and hosiery. Today, we are on the cusp of leading the nation in aerospace and manufacturing, with life sciences being a growing sector on the horizon. North Carolina was recently named the best state to do business; the third such designation in the past four years. Greensboro plays a big role in that designation. Now, we need to continue this incredible momentum and believe in the future of Greensboro. All gas, no brake!

4. Regarding the funding and support for small business startups, the City and the Chamber of Commerce do a great job in attracting and retaining large businesses. We do not, however, currently have the same level of attention and success with small businesses. My recommendations to change that are:
• SMALL BUSINESS TEAM – Establish an internal, city-led economic development team with the prime focus of being the voice of the city and identifying, developing, and promoting small business and entrepreneurism; especially engaging local college students and graduates.
• OBO (formerly MWBE) OFFICE UPDATES – Update the standards and processes of the Office of Business and Opportunity so that identified subcontractors have the opportunity to work and grow into prime contractors
• INCUBATORS – Add more effective incubators to serve as the launching pad for new small businesses
• COLLEGE STUDENTS – Encourage local college students to remain in Greensboro after graduation to become small business entrepreneurs

5. Our public space are special and should be protected at all costs. When companies choose to locate to our great city, they are not coming just to build batteries, airplanes, etc. They are bringing their families and extended families and looking for a great place to live, work, and play. We need to continue to invest in our parks, trails, and greenways. It is important that these investments occur across the entire city so that residents do not have to leave their community and go ‘across town’ to gather and enjoy safely.

Jamilla Pinder

Website: https://www.jamillapinder4u.com/

I’ve seen firsthand what our city needs to truly become a magnet for young professionals. We’ve got the energy and the universities, but we’re still losing talent to other cities. The core issue? We haven’t been building a city that reflects your life, your goals, and your wallet.
My focus isn’t on lofty promises, but on solving the real problems you face. My top priorities are a direct response to the conversations I’ve had with people like you. I’m focusing on four key areas designed to make Greensboro a place where you don’t just graduate, you stay, thrive, and build a life.

Solving the Housing Puzzle
Let’s be honest, finding a place to live that’s both cool and affordable in Greensboro can be a challenge. We have great single-family neighborhoods, but not enough options for the rest of us. My plan is to expand housing that meets you where you are. I’m talking about entry-level apartments, micro cottages, and new co-op housing models. These aren’t just buzzwords; they’re creative solutions to help you move from renting to homeownership. By incentivizing these developments near our job hubs and transit lines, we can make it easier to live where you work and play.

Building a Vibrant Nightlife
Young people want a city that’s vibrant after 5 p.m. While Greensboro has some great spots, we need more. We need accessible and affordable options that don’t require a long drive. I want to see our downtown and neighborhoods come alive with pop-up music stages, rotating art markets, and outdoor film nights. We have incredible local talent at our colleges, and it’s time we gave them a spotlight. My goal is to work with local businesses to create more affordable venues, whether it’s a new rooftop bar or a late-night cafe, so you have more reasons to stay in the city you love.

Connecting You to Your Dream Job
A vibrant city is nothing without strong economic opportunity. Too many graduates are leaving because they can’t find a living-wage job that offers a clear path to professional growth. My commitment is to bridge that gap. We’ll deepen partnerships with our universities and local businesses to expand internships and apprenticeships. I seek to continue to actively work with our chamber and other businesses to attract companies in high-demand fields like biotech, healthcare, clean energy, education, and IT. By ensuring our graduates have a direct pipeline to these good jobs, we’ll keep our brightest minds right here in Greensboro.

Empowering the Next Generation of Founders
Your ideas are our city’s future. Young professionals are natural entrepreneurs, but getting a startup off the ground can feel impossible. I want to make it easier for you to build your own venture. That means expanding micro-grant programs, creating more co-working spaces, and providing access to shared commercial kitchens. We need to be the city that encourages you to launch that fashion brand, open that food truck, or start that tech company. Supporting your entrepreneurial spirit isn’t just a nice idea; it’s a core part of my economic strategy.

Greensboro’s future isn’t a mystery; it’s being built by you. By prioritizing housing that fits your life, a culture that keeps you here, jobs that pay you well, and a city that backs your ideas, we can transform Greensboro into the place you choose to stay, for good.

Denise Roth

Website: https://deniserothforcitycouncil.com/

Attracting and retaining young talent is central to Greensboro’s future. As a community, we have the advantage of strong universities, cultural institutions, and employers — but too often, graduates see greater opportunities elsewhere. We need to create a city where young people can envision building their lives, careers, and families. My top four priorities are:

1. Expanding Housing Options for Young Adults and Families
We must ensure that Greensboro has enough housing at every price point, particularly for singles, graduates, and young families. That means accelerating the supply of apartments, condos, townhomes, and smaller detached homes that are both affordable and well-located near jobs and transit. In addition to large-scale development, the city should support smaller infill projects, adaptive reuse of underutilized buildings, and public-private partnerships that bring new units to market more quickly. Cities like Charlotte and Nashville have demonstrated how diverse housing stock helps keep young people rooted, and Greensboro should do the same.

2. Expanding Quality, Low-Cost Entertainment and Nightlife
A vibrant cultural and entertainment scene is vital for retention. Greensboro has a strong arts and music heritage, but we need to better activate it with consistent, affordable programming. I will champion partnerships to bring more live music, food festivals, and outdoor events to our downtown and neighborhood districts, while ensuring access is inclusive and affordable. We should also make it easier for small venues, restaurants, and breweries to thrive by reducing regulatory barriers and promoting Greensboro as a hub for local culture. Expanding evening bus service and ride-share partnerships can also make nightlife more accessible and safe.

3. Creating More Entry-Level Jobs with Pathways to Advancement
For too many young professionals, Greensboro is seen as a place to study, not to launch a career. To change this, the city should support greater workforce partnerships, ensuring that employers — from advanced manufacturing to bioscience and aviation — offer strong entry-level jobs that pay a living wage and lead to long-term careers. We should also expand access to micro-learning and industry certifications that give young people fast, affordable pathways into high-demand careers, while creating clear bridges to advancement. By working closely with our colleges, universities, and community colleges, we can connect graduates to internships, apprenticeships, and early career pathways that help them stay here. My experience working nationally with cities shows that communities that align education, training, and industry are the ones that keep their talent. Greensboro should be no different.

4. Supporting Entrepreneurs and Activating Public Spaces
Many young people want to build their own businesses and need support to do so. Greensboro should expand funding, mentorship, and co-working opportunities for small business startups, particularly for women- and minority-owned enterprises. I will advocate for expanding the city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem — from small business micro-grants to partnerships with our universities and the Chamber. Just as important, we must create places where young adults and families want to spend time together. That means investing in safe, active public spaces — parks, plazas, greenways, and community hubs — where people can gather, exercise, and enjoy cultural life.

Conclusion
Greensboro’s challenge is not talent creation, but talent retention. By focusing on housing, culture, jobs, and entrepreneurship, while making our public spaces more vibrant and welcoming, we can keep more of our young people here to build careers, families, and futures. If we succeed, Greensboro will not just graduate talent — it will grow it and keep it, strengthening our economy and community for decades to come.

District 1 (Vote for 1)

Crystal Black

Website: https://crystalblack.org/

Young people hold the key to our city’s future. Greensboro must work to keep graduates, young professionals, and new families here, and build a city that offers opportunity, affordability, and a vibrant quality of life. Too often, we see young people leave for Charlotte, Raleigh, or other cities that offer more housing opportunities, stronger job markets, or a more vibrant social scene. If we want Greensboro to grow and thrive, we must make sure young adults see our city as a place where they can live, work, and enjoy life.

My top four priorities are:

(1) Attainable Housing Options – Too many young people leave Greensboro because they can’t find housing that fits their stage of life. I believe working to increase the supply of affordable apartments, condos, townhomes, and starter homes so singles, graduates, and new families can establish roots here but also have the opportunity for upward mobility. If we want young people to build their lives here, we must expand the supply of housing at every level. Zoning reform, partnerships with nonprofit housing organizations, and city investment in mixed-income developments can all help ensure that Greensboro offers housing choices that match the needs of young residents at different stages of life.

(2) Thriving Entertainment & Nightlife – Greensboro should be a city of work and play. Play cannot always be defined by sports but must also include affordable entertainment, live music, cultural events, and safe nightlife. We must create a city where young adults want to stay, spend time, and enjoy time with their friends. We need to expand access to low-cost concerts, art shows, festivals, and live performances. Partnerships with breweries, small venues, and cultural organizations can help create a lively, inclusive nightlife that doesn’t break the bank. Entertainment shouldn’t only happen downtown. Every district deserves spaces where young people and families can gather, whether through outdoor movie nights in our parks, pop-up cultural events in neighborhoods, or food truck festivals that showcase Greensboro’s diverse communities.

(3) Good Jobs with Growth Potential – Greensboro must begin to offer more entry-level jobs and provide clear paths to ways to advance. Partnering with local businesses, universities, and industries, workforce pipelines need to be established that allow graduates and young workers to grow their careers here in Greensboro instead of leaving for larger cities. Too many of our graduates leave Greensboro not because they want to, but because they cannot find entry-level positions that pay a living wage and offer opportunities to move up. Economic development should not just chase big corporations but should also support mid-sized businesses that create stable, upwardly mobile jobs for residents. When young people know they can build a meaningful career here, not just a short-term job, they are far more likely to stay and invest in our community.

(4) Entrepreneurship & Community Spaces – Greensboro is rich with creative and ambitious young people. Many young people today are not only looking for jobs but also opportunities to start their own businesses. We must provide opportunities that allow them to build businesses and launch ideas. Making sure the city implements grant and loan programs that are accessible to young entrepreneurs, particularly those from underserved backgrounds by expanding funding, offering resources for small business and creating spaces like the Nussbaum Center, that support startups, are ways that we can continue to uplift young entrepreneurs.

(5) Activating public spaces is about transforming parks, plazas, recreation centers, and community hubs into safe, vibrant, and inclusive environments where people of all ages can gather, connect, and thrive. For young adults and families, these spaces provide more than just recreation—they become anchors of community life, places to build relationships, and opportunities to engage in healthy, positive activities. When done well, public spaces become a catalyst for connection, creativity, and community pride. For young adults, they offer places to network, collaborate, and unwind. For families, they provide safe environments for children to play and grow. For the city, they create stronger neighborhoods and a greater sense of belonging.

Greensboro is a great place to belong. But we must be intentional in showing young people that this city is a place where they can live, work, and thrive. By investing in affordable housing, good jobs, vibrant public spaces, and safe entertainment options, we can make sure every young person sees a future here.

Sharon Hightower

Website: https://sharonhightower.com/

District 2 (Vote for 1)

Cecile (CC) Crawford

Website: https://cecilecrawford.com/

Greensboro has everything it takes to be a city where young people want to build their futures: strong universities, a vibrant arts community, and deep neighborhood pride. But too often, students graduate, pack their bags, and head elsewhere because they don’t see opportunity or affordability here. My top priorities for attracting and retaining young people are rooted in housing, opportunity, and belonging.
1. Homes We can Afford: Young people can’t build a future here if they can’t afford housing. I’ll push for more mixed income housing that includes a variety of options like apartments, condos, townhomes and starter homes. I will work with builders who partner with the community to include affordable set asides, encourage community land trusts and co-ops so graduates have the opportunity to build equity and using city land and whatever federal dollars left by this administration to create mixed income housing near transportation, grocery stores, and job centers.
2. Living wage jobs with pathways up: Too many graduates leave for better pay elsewhere. We need employers who offer entry-level jobs with advancement. That means expanding pipelines from our universities and GTCC into trades like Plumbing, Electricians and Carpenters; while also looking for those in Accounting, Healthcare, and Tech. We need to raise city worker pay so Greensboro leads by example.
3. Support for Small Business Startups: I recognize that young people want to create their own opportunities. I look to ensure there are micro grants and more targeted mentorship opportunities for entrepreneurship, reducing barriers faced through the city, and invest in struggling neighborhood corridors so new businesses thrive across the city, not just downtown.
4. A City of Belonging: Opportunity only matters if people feel connected and can build relationships with one another. That means more low-cost entertainment, safe and vibrant public spaces (we need a deferred maintenance fund for upkeep and safety for our parks and rec centers), and festivals, cultural events and recreation that reflect the creativity and diversity Greensboro is recognized for.
What I have heard of from young people and families is clear: there is a need for affordable homes, jobs with a future, support to build their dreams, and a living and vibrant city. Delivering on these four priorities priorities ensures Greensboro won’t just be a place people come to study, it will also be a place where they stay, invest, lead and build their lives.

Monica Walker

Website: https://www.monicawalkerforcitycouncil.com/

One of my primary concerns for the growth of this city is how we retain the talent, creativity, and energy of our young college graduates. Greensboro is home to numerous colleges and universities that graduate thousands of students each year. Young people who are poised to contribute meaningfully to the public good.

It should be one of the highest priorities of city leadership to do everything possible to retain and engage that talent. We should aim to become known as the city that not only produces talent, but also successfully keeps it.

How do we achieve that? It starts with smart, intentional infrastructural development. We must identify and invest in the elements that attract young people especially when it comes to housing and lifestyle. What kinds of living spaces make them want to stay? What kind of cityscape makes them proud to call Greensboro home?

From my conversations and observations, I’ve found that young people are especially drawn to vibrant, well-designed spaces with forward-thinking architecture and urban markers. Fortunately, Greensboro is already categorized as a mid-sized city, which positions us perfectly to make strategic improvements that can have a big impact.
We need a range of affordable, mid-range and luxury properties for young, first-time buyers and there’s no better place for that development than the district I hope to represent. I strongly believe in the importance of mixed-income housing that includes first-class amenities. Young people are especially drawn to vibrant downtown living, and the southernmost portion of District 2 sits right next to downtown, making it a prime area for thoughtful, forward-looking development. It means investing in an area of the city that has long been divested but offers some of the greatest possibilities for young people and young families.

Today’s younger generations are also increasingly drawn to spending time outdoors, so we must ensure our city offers inviting spaces that are safe, walkable, and visually appealing.

As a board member of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, I’ve seen firsthand how much attention we give to driving tourism and supporting local hotels. I believe the city should adopt a similar approach by appointing a dedicated group or entity focused on key strategies for growing job opportunities, designing strong social ecosystems, and supporting small business startups. We’ve successfully created structures like this for other essential city development efforts. There’s no reason we can’t do the same here.

We should also prioritize creating vibrant and inclusive opportunities for entertainment and nightlife, ones that cater to a socioeconomically diverse population. As Greensboro continues to grow into a culturally diverse city, it’s essential that we design these spaces with that diversity in mind. There is so much untapped talent in our community, artists, performers, creatives, and entrepreneurs who deserve platforms. We should maximize showcasing all of it.

I actively follow the work of several leading urban strategists whose ideas (Tactical Urbanism) have helped revitalize once-declining areas in major cities. Greensboro has every opportunity to implement these proven strategies, and we absolutely should.
We are on the cusp of a pivotal moment in our city’s growth, marked by a surge in industrial development (Toyota Battery, Boom Supersonic and Jet Zero) that promises to bring new jobs and significantly boost our economic profile. If guided strategically, this momentum has the power to uplift historically underserved communities, reduce persistent poverty, and inspire young people to reimagine a prosperous future for themselves right here in Greensboro.

District 3 (Vote for 1)

April Parker

Website: https://electaprilparker.com/

I filed to run for Greensboro City Council to become the youngest Black woman ever elected to council, with my daughter Juju by my side. I am 42. She is 22. Together, we represent a growing concern in our city: mid-career professionals and recent college graduates are leaving Greensboro in search of greater opportunity. I am running to help retain our best.

Greensboro is changing, and increasing density does not mean apartment complexes on every block. Many of us, myself included, are not looking for big lawns. We are looking for communities where we can walk, live near work, and access everyday needs affordably. To meet this demand, Greensboro should adopt recommendations from the Carolina Forward: Fair and Affordable Housing Report by updating zoning to allow townhomes, condos, apartments, and accessory dwelling units in areas now limited to single family homes. Outdated rules like minimum lot sizes and parking mandates should be eliminated, while expanding mixed use zoning so that apartments can be built above businesses. These changes will create economically diverse neighborhoods designed for real life.

Most government engagement with Greensboro’s universities happens at the state level, but we should strengthen local connections. Research should also come from local universities not out of state expensive consultants. With one of the nation’s top engineering schools here, we can use our own colleges’ expertise to design innovative housing. When I moved to the city 15 years ago, Greensboro once had more housing collectives than any other North Carolina city, and we should revisit shared housing models like co-living, homeowner shared rooms, and multigenerational homes. Research shows these flexible approaches reduce costs, help families adapt to changing needs, and strengthen communities.

Born and raised in New Jersey just 20 minutes from New York City, I was shocked to see how early Greensboro closes. Cities worldwide embrace 24/7 economies that fuel culture, commerce, and community. If we want to retain residents under 40, we must move in that direction by investing in late night public transit and expanding nightlife beyond bars. This includes live music, cultural events, coffee shops, and creative spaces that foster connection.

Greensboro should also establish social districts where people can enjoy to-go beverages while supporting small businesses. Importantly, these opportunities must extend beyond downtown. Corridors in Glenwood, State Street, and East Greensboro deserve equal investment in vibrant cultural and economic life. By piloting programs, centering equity, and ensuring minority owned businesses benefit, Greensboro can become a safer, more dynamic city where young people want to stay and build their futures.

This ain’t your Grandma’s Greensboro. Young professionals are not staying in one job for decades; they are seeking self-employment, entrepreneurship, and meaningful work soon after graduation. Our colleges and universities recognize this and have built hubs and initiatives to support it. Greensboro should create space for young people to shape the next industries while also focusing on entry level jobs that pay a living wage and provide real advancement. As the Gate City, with strong transportation assets and a central location, we are well positioned to build industry clusters in clean energy, transportation, logistics, and professional services connecting talent to opportunity and keeping graduates and mid-career workers rooted here.

District 4 (Vote for 1)

Adam Marshall

Website: https://www.electadammarshall.com/

Greensboro is uniquely positioned to retain our young talent. That has not always been the case. However, with the expected economic growth over the next decade and beyond, Greensboro is poised to have job offerings that have not always been available for our young people. I was born and raised in Greensboro and educated in our public schools. I came home after college, however, that was not the norm. That is changing, and I am excited to be a part of keeping our young talent right here in Greensboro!

My top four priorities for keeping and retaining our younger population are: 1) Increase attainable housing; 2) promote economic development and good paying jobs; 3) prioritize public safety; and 4) promote our arts, parks, entertainment and local tourism.

Attainable Housing:

We must increase our housing supply in order to bring prices down and in order that we have places where our young people can afford to live. We should support mixed-use and transit-oriented development in key corridors. The city can work with developers and incentivize projects that include affordable units or units offered below contract rent. The city should look at ways to permit “missing middle” housing types (duplexes, townhouses) but do so in a thoughtful and well-planned manner. Young folks need housing options that fit within their budgets. I will use my experience on the Board of Adjustment and Zoning Commission to work to streamline permitting and inspections so that we can help get diverse housing options into the marketplace quicker.

Economic Development:

Economic opportunity is key to talent retention. As city leaders, we must work to attract businesses offering career-entry roles in growing sectors like advanced manufacturing, health, tech, and aerospace (e.g., Boom, Toyota, HondaJet, and JetZero). We should encourage our local colleges and universities to invest in these sectors and create programs that support our growing local economy by providing students with the skills to enter the marketplace.

We cannot forget our small businesses. Local entrepreneurship fuels innovation, jobs, and retention. City leaders can work to support working/incubator spaces, especially those near campuses or downtown. These spaces and programs support mentorship, business planning assistance, and an environment where new ideas can grow.

Public Safety:

Recent graduates and young families want to feel safe in their community. We must support our first responders and public safety officials by making sure that they are well staffed, well trained, have the resources they need, and receive competitive pay. Not only does that help keep us safe, it helps keep public safety talent in our community.

We can work to ensure lighting, sightlines, and design in our public spaces and local planning support safe, comfortable spaces where young people and families naturally gather.

Arts, Parks, Entertainment, and Tourism:

A vibrant social life is vital to keeping young professionals engaged. We need to activate downtown and neighborhood spaces. We can do this by partnering with local venues and universities to host regular pop-up events, like open-mic nights, outdoor movies, and street festivals. These low-cost or free gatherings build social bonds and foster a lively urban atmosphere.

We can work to enhance under-resourced areas by supporting adaptive reuse of space. Examples include brewery events in parks or live music in plazas. This could bring entertainment options to underserved neighborhoods while supporting safety and accessibility. I want the city to consider more “open street” events where roads close to vehicle traffic and open to pedestrians, with live music, food pop-ups, farmers markets, and youth-led activities. This would offer entertainment options and help our small businesses grow, especially in our downtown area.

Greensboro is fortunate to have a robust public park system. However, we cannot neglect needed maintenance and upgrades. We must recognize that these spaces offer not only space for recreation, but also space to gather as a community. We must budget accordingly.

Greensboro has not always been a tourist destination. However, we have many local gems to promote. From the First Horizon Coliseum and Greensboro Aquatic Center (the largest indoor pool of its kind in the US), our local museums such as the Greensboro Science Center and the Miriam P. Brenner Children’s Museum, and our upcoming North Carolina Folk Festival, Greensboro has many reasons for tourists to visit.

Nicky Smith

Website: https://nickyforgreensboro.com/

With businesses like JetZero expanding into Greensboro, we must encourage young adults to not only stay in Greensboro after their education but also move here from other cities. We need a multi-pronged approach to this situation, and my decades of business experience in this community will make me a formidable advocate for solutions from the Greensboro City Council.

My top priority as a council member will be to strengthen our public safety. That is not just from a law enforcement perspective, but instead focuses on safety as a whole. We need to improve our firefighting resources, EMS, and community policing to serve the community as a whole better. Improving these resources will not only attract more young people and their growing families to call Greensboro home. Still, it will also allow us to utilize better the beautiful parks and public spaces that Greensboro has at its disposal. Improving public safety will also make entertainment and nightlife affordable and practical to business owners and consumers. We must work diligently as a team to enhance safety in Greensboro across all aspects, including the provision of improved mental health services and housing options for those in need, to attract more businesses and encourage their frequentation. Greensboro needs to feel safe for our young, growing families, and I plan to work diligently to advocate for solutions on this front.

Aside from public safety, my second top priority is to address the housing shortage in Greensboro. Simply put, we need more houses and housing options. I’m willing to work with the Greensboro City Council to fully implement the Road to 10,000 housing plan while also working to amend the development ordinance to allow duplexes and triplexes in single-family zoning districts. These types of homes are critical for not only attracting more young people, but retaining them as well. We need a diverse set of housing options that appeals to a multitude of individuals and families who will move to Greensboro in the coming years. We must be prepared to have those options in place to attract people from all walks of life and backgrounds. My experience in business and project implementation will enable me to evaluate proposed solutions and determine the best approach to achieving success in this area.

Another objective I have for supporting our young adult community is to be invested in making Greensboro a hub for small businesses. I believe the Greensboro City Council should work to expand funding for and support small business startups. Not only do these businesses provide services for our local economy, but they also offer jobs to entrepreneurs and individuals seeking long-term careers in Greensboro. I’ve worked my entire life as a business owner, and I can tell you firsthand that I’ve been able to provide a living wage and path of advancement to those who have worked at my company over the years. Voters can also rely on me to say no to tax increases that impact our small businesses in Greensboro. I am adamantly opposed to the 1% prepared food and beverage tax that has been floated in Greensboro because I believe it would negatively impact our small restaurants and unfairly burden residents, particularly the young residents of Greensboro. I am and always will be a strong advocate for our small business community in Greensboro.

Aside from this, we need to work on keeping our utilities on track for the growth that Greensboro is about to face. JetZero and other organizations will put Greensboro on the map for different businesses, ranging in size, to open their doors. This will keep jobs flowing in Greensboro, but only if the city has the capacity to maintain the levels of growth. I’ve already discussed housing, but we also need to ensure our sewer system, power grid, and other services stay ahead of the curve to keep prices low and services in line with residents’ expectations. If we have problems with these services, young adults will find other places to plant roots. We can use jobs and new opportunities to encourage young adults to stay in or move to Greensboro, but it is up to the policies that we put in place to retain them long term. I want to serve on the Greensboro City Council in District 4 so I can utilize my business experience and collaborative leadership skills to make our city a place where young adults put down roots and become lifelong residents. That is the same opportunity that was offered to me when I moved to Greensboro 47 years ago, and it is the same principle I will use to guide my priorities and decisions as a councilman.

District 5 (Vote for 1)

Jeannette Davidson-Mayer

Website: https://www.jeannettedavdisonmayer.com/

Tammi Thurm

Website: https://electthurm.com/

Our regional approach to economic development will continue to grow high-tech and other high-paying jobs, keeping our college graduates in Greensboro, but will also attract young adults to Greensboro.

By continuing our investments into entrepreneurship with funds to the Steelhouse at the Nussbaum Center, increasing funds for Piedmont Business Capital, and makerspaces, young startup businesses will also continue to grow, creating new and diverse small businesses. We’re currently attracting investments to create an innovation corridor in Greensboro, which will also create exciting new opportunities for young adults. We must continue to facilitate these opportunities to offer a wide range of possibilities to young adults.

The city continues to require salary minimums when working with companies on economic incentives. We should increase the minimum salary for incentivized positions to $20/hour for entry-level positions. While we can’t tell companies what to pay their employees, we are able to put limits on incentives. We also need to continue working with these employers to provide incentives for hiring local, such as our incentive package with JetZero.

We need to work to continue and expand our workforce development, which enables residents to learn the skills needed for the entry-level positions with our new employers, and continue to provide learning opportunities as they move from entry-level to higher-paying roles.

As we continue to invest in attracting and creating these jobs, we must also ensure that young adults have affordable housing. This will require that we work on building a diverse housing stock. As we work on the Road to 10,000 new housing units, we will need to assist developers with infrastructure expenses, such as water and sewer, while still following all state guidelines. For example, when creating workforce housing, the city should only assist in infrastructure costs if the units built will sell/rent at targeted price points.

We must work with developers and residents to increase the density of housing. Montrose Village in District 5 is an example of an innovative neighborhood that offers a mix of density while still creating a real neighborhood feeling, just the type of housing I believe young families are looking for. One where young adults can put down roots and grow with the community.

As Greensboro grows, we need to examine our approach to public transportation. Our current bus system only serves a small portion of our community efficiently, and there are still large areas of our city that are not accessible by public transportation, eliminating some job opportunities for young adults without their own vehicles. Currently, we don’t offer bus service to the airport area, where we will have thousands of new job opportunities. I would like to explore a rideshare program, similar to the system implemented in Gastonia. This is a city program like Uber or Lyft, but individuals may share their car ride with others going the same way. This program would allow coverage of the entire city, and rides can be scheduled in advance. The cost to its users is just slightly higher than bus fare, but the service is door-to-door. We could still offer the major bus routes, but a rideshare program opens public transportation to all residents and all job possibilities.

I currently sit on the board of the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). As one of our CVB goals, we want to capitalize on the local live music scene already in Greensboro and create a walkable downtown district where people can go to many venues to experience live music. We already have investors working on venues, but the city must continue to partner with them to make this a reality. This would help drive more nightlife to the Greensboro area, attracting residents and visitors for various events from artist tours to festivals.

I also sit on the board of Greensboro Downtown Parks, Inc. We work on a wide range of diverse programming that attracts residents and visitors to our parks in the heart of downtown. The majority of programming is free or low-cost, allowing residents of all income levels to have access to our events. As our city grows, we must continue to invest in our parks and recreation facilities to give residents from across the city access. For example, as we look at District 5, the tennis courts at Hester Park need serious renovations. In addition, as we grow to the west, we need to ensure that residents in those areas have access to libraries, parks, and recreation centers with programming offered in other parts of the city.

Make Greensboro Better for Young Professionals

The Greensboro Junior Chamber is committed to advocating for programs, policies, and positions that improve the quality of life for young professionals in Greensboro and Guilford County.

Contact Your Elected Officials

Local

• Greensboro City Council
• Guilford County Commissioners
• Guilford County Board of Education

State

• NC General Assembly Representatives
• Governor’s Office

National

• NC Representatives in US Congress