Montgomery County, Maryland Councilman Will Jawando

Montgomery County, Maryland Councilman Will Jawando talks about the importance and benefits of economic growth in the African-American community.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
All right, we're here with Montgomery County Council Member well Dwando.
He's also running for Montgomery County Executive. Yes, we're here
at the annual CBC Annual Legislative Conferences. Why did you
find it important to be here today?

Speaker 2 (00:15):
Well, this is really the coming together of This is
really the coming together of some of the smartest and
most intelligent, diverse black minds in the country at a
time where this conference is aptly named made for this
moment where the.

Speaker 1 (00:33):
Democracy is under attack.

Speaker 2 (00:34):
We have a fascist in the White House, we have
people being swiped up from our streets by mass men.
Unemployment is rising. So for the black community, we've got
to come together. If we don't support each other with
good ideas, supporting our businesses, we're going to be in
real trouble. So I'm here as a local elected leader
to make sure that we are.

Speaker 1 (00:53):
Doing what we need to do, to.

Speaker 2 (00:55):
Trade the ideas, to support each other, to strategize into support,
and to have some joy, because you can't keep fighting
if you don't have joy. You spoke about coming together,
What does that truly look like to be.

Speaker 1 (01:05):
On one of core.

Speaker 2 (01:07):
Yeah, it doesn't mean you agree on every issue. It
means that you are agreed on the direction of forward
movement and solidarity amongst your people, Like we all agree,
we want to build black well, we want to increase
black home ownership. We want to make sure that we
are giving people jobs and healthcare and quality education. And
the great thing about America is that when Black Americans

(01:29):
are doing well, the country is doing well.

Speaker 1 (01:32):
So we're really kind.

Speaker 2 (01:33):
Of a test for how well America is treating for residents.

Speaker 1 (01:38):
And so that's why this is such an important thing.

Speaker 2 (01:40):
And it doesn't mean you agree on everything, but it's
that you agree on the broad strategies and that you
commit to working together having the dialogue to move forward.

Speaker 1 (01:47):
On a local level, we are running for county executive.
I am so being that we are at a legislative conference.
What are some of the legislative items on your attendant.

Speaker 2 (01:57):
It's about economic development, tax and support for small businesses.

Speaker 1 (02:02):
It's about making housing more affordable, making.

Speaker 2 (02:05):
Sure rent stabilization is in our communities, in building black
home ownership. You know, sixty percent of my Black residents
are renters. We need we need to change that trend.
That's the biggest way to develop wealth.

Speaker 1 (02:17):
It's about making sure that our education.

Speaker 2 (02:19):
System and every neighborhood has a high quality teacher, a
great principle, and a safe neighborhood to go to school in.

Speaker 1 (02:27):
And I think those basics are what people are concerned about.
Those are the top three issues.

Speaker 2 (02:31):
Obviously, we want a community where our seniors can age
in place that are safe for your pedestrian, safeway and
like ways and all those things. But I think the
core issues of education, jobs, and housing are what my
residents are asking about. And it's really a lot about
what's being talked about at this conference as well. What
is your message to your residence, those in Montgomery County

(02:51):
and those across the state of Maryland. It's that we're
going to get through this. We've been through this before.
We are literally made for this moment.

Speaker 1 (02:58):
You know.

Speaker 2 (02:59):
Administration's pass our ancestors have been through actually much worse. Uh.
We just have to come together, stay determined, make sure
we're taking time for our mental health, our well being,
our physical health, and then working together see what the
h The effort is easier when we work together. Can't
don't be a silo, don't be an island onto yourself.
This is why this community, this conference is important. I'm

(03:21):
here to help you. We're here to help each other,
and we will get through this and we'll build a
stronger America than even the one that's being destroyed.

Speaker 1 (03:28):
By that right now, by Donald Trump. Calth. Thank you.