News

Confronting Systemic Racism in Harrisburg

Confronting Systemic Racism in Harrisburg

The other night during the debate, I was asked whether I believe there is systemic racism in Harrisburg. I immediately started talking about solutions—what I saw as the breakdown of communication between City Hall and its citizens. I never answered the question and missed the opportunity to share my heart on racial inequality and barriers to opportunity—high walls that have kept too many black and brown families from earning their chance to move ahead. Many of you have called or texted or stopped me on the street to give me the opportunity to finish my answer.

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WATCH: Dave’s Power to the Hill Interview

WATCH: Dave’s Power to the Hill Interview

Dave joined community activist Leta Beam of P2H (Power to The Hill) for a lively, half-hour discussion on his "Let It Shine" policy platform. The two discussed Dave's plan to confront disparities in essential services for the majority of Harrisburg's nearly two-dozen...

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Incarceration Doesn’t Define Him

Incarceration Doesn’t Define Him

The other afternoon l was going door-to-door in the Capitol Heights area on Fifth Street when I was greeted with: “What are you going to do for me?” The poke was the young man’s authenticity test, but it also told me a lot about him. He’s a smart, talented guy who...

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A Prayer for the City

A Prayer for the City

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day—to all of us who want to see love overcome hate, and kindness replace the violence on Harrisburg’s streets—let’s agree to dare to love our neighbors and treat others—no matter the differences—with dignity and respect.

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A City That Works for Everyone

A City That Works for Everyone

In their national bestseller, Our Towns—a book highlighting the successes of small communities across America—the authors identify traits shared by twenty-nine resurrected American towns. James and Deborah Fallows stated that each resurgent community individually was knit together by a common story. As I read the book, the parallels with Harrisburg were remarkable.

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