Public Safety Town Hall in Gilpin Community to Address RPD Police Brutality concerns. Citizen Review Board update.
#AnnCan Endorsements
ChamberBrook Mural Reveal Celebration #AnnCan
The Richmond Urban Ministry Institute (RUMI) had a mural reveal this Labor Day weekend. The mural can be seen right at the corner of Brookland Park Blvd. and Chamberlayne Ave. This intersection and corridor has been named Chamberbrook ~ The Gateway to Downtown Richmond
I also had the pleasure in capturing the reveal with my drone. Some may not know but I am the 1st African-American Female Drone Certified Pilot with a business here in the City of Richmond. I offer aerial photography and videography services. Check out my website here.
As an entrepreneur and small business owner, I too have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The beauty about my job is that I can social distance and continue to teach and share everything about the drone industry.
There were other organizations and candidates present to meet and greet the community. The Richmond Democrats were on hand to register people to vote.
If you are NOT registered to vote Go Here!
Deadline to register to vote, or update an existing registration, is Tuesday, October 13, 2020.
Deadline to request an absentee ballot to be mailed to you is Friday, October 23, 2020. Your request must be received by your Registrar by 5:00 p.m.
#AnnCan2020 Mask Distribution Rally
On Friday, July 17, 2020, a rally was held for the citizens of the North Jackson Ward area that reside in the Gilpin Court housing community, also known as “Apostle Town”. Preserving History for Future Generations is the theme for my #AnnCan2020 campaign. I always said about Richmond is that we do not capitalize on the history here. There is a lot of history that is important to understand and recognize especially if you are from Northside. Here is some video of me speaking to the crowd and educating those about Apostle Town.
Check out the first of many videos of my public speaking especially to those in the 3rd district. There is always room for improvement but I overcame a lot of fears to stand up and fight for the citizens of #TheThird!
We registered over 10 people to vote making the event a success.
Make a donation to the #AnnCan campaign today and get involved!
Visit www.AnnCan2020.com
The #AnnCan2020 Platform In a Nutshell!
Folks have asked me, so what is your platform #AnnCan?
Well for starters, my campaign slogan is “Preserving History for Future Generations!” Whenever I ask the question, “Have you ever heard of Apostle Town here in the City of Richmond? I get crickets!
Apostle Town is an area in the North Jackson Ward community, where 200 African-American homeowner’s land was stolen from them. The decision of the racist leadership at the time was to acquire the land through eminent domain for the purpose of building the 95/Petersburg Tnpk, which would provide faster access for the white population moving out to the suburbs. The streets of St. Paul, St. Peter, St. John, and St. James are all named after Apostles, which comprised the area once called Apostle Town.
Back in the 1940s, when the Virginia General Assembly decided that it was a good idea to build a highway right through the most vibrant African-American economy on the east coast, Jackson Ward, the citizens tried to use their rights to block the decision by voting the referendum down twice!!! After the war, there was no adequate representation in the General Assembly for African-Americans, so the racist leadership of then Gov. Harry Byrd, Sr. thought it was good to seize Apostle Town through this process.
The Richmond renaissance got its start in Jackson Ward right on 2nd street. This area was considered the Black Wall street after WWII. In 1902 when the Plessy vs. Ferguson decision was done “Separate But Equal” was far from what that decision was about. Maggie L. Walker and John Mitchell teamed up to organize a boycott against the street cars that were here. We may have been separate, but we thrived as equals within our own community.
Since the early 1930s and 40s, there was Massive Resistance to integrating white communities and the schools. Racist Jim Crow laws were adopted and the education system was hijacked by a false narrative of the outcome of the Civil War. The biased education that was taught to the future leaders of tomorrow, programmed a few generations to uphold racist ideologies of the confederacy. Due to the racist leadership and policies of the time is why the North Jackson Ward area is the most underserved area within the Third district today!
So as I began to craft my platform, I had to include the concerns I witnessed growing up in Battery Park, Ginter Park and North Jackson Ward neighborhoods. North Jackson Ward is where the lack of resources are evident, and the greatest need.
I spoke in front of City Council back in February before Covid. I spoke to the lack of resources for an area, the trash that is blows through the 900 block of North 1st Street, re-named after my father. There is no way I could sit back and not speak up. We are only as strong as our weakest link and that weak link is in the North Jackson Ward area.
You Don’t make Progress by Sitting on the Sidelines Whimpering and Complaining! You Make Progress by Implementing Ideas!
Shirley Chisholm
The #AnnCan Plan for The Third!
- No property Tax increases, especially for our Seniors! Those residents on a fixed income should not have to pay the cost of losing their home because of high taxes. There should be some type of tax relief for those who have lived in the city for over 30+ years.
We must be informed and aware of “warehousing” tactics being used against our seniors, coaxing them to sell their properties. I am in support of protecting our seniors and their descendants, and working with our representatives on the federal level to address these consumer protection concerns.
2. As far as the Schools, I will work with the 3rd District School Board Rep. ensuring that we are providing the right funding for programs and curriculums that will prepare our students for success. We must have more transparency on the decisions being made that affect our students, and lets face it majority of those children are African-American. We do not need to tip toe around the obvious inequality within education. There is a lot of waste happening within our schools, and with the city!
We need to make sure the mental health services offered through the schools are fully funded and access is available to those families in need. There is already a shortage on teachers, bus drivers, substitutes and nurses, funding needs to be in place to address these pandemic outcomes.
Lets not forget that we are still dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Budget cuts and spending habits MUST be transparent moving forward. The RPS budget has been increased for the FY2020-21, we need to make sure where the money is going and are we keeping our children safe during this pandemic.
Photo taken by King David Photography
As an entrepreneur, and the 1st African-American Female FAA Certified Drone Pilot in the Richmond Area, I will offer trainings on How to Fly A Drone, Drone Safety, and Test Prep for the FAA Part 107 Certification Test. I am offering the youth in my district an opportunity to learn a new innovative skill in which they will be also be able to learn about entrepreneurship, how to start a business, and express their creativity through the Lambert Aerial Academy. Drone technology and education will be a part of our future and we need to prepare our youth with the skills to compete. I am currently working with the Office of Community Wealth Building to share my drone expertise, and be an example the youth of our City need to see.
3. Transform the Richmond Police Department. I am in support of an effective Citizen Review Board (City Council recently passed a resolution to move forward with this). We need to ban chokeholds, and no-knock warrants #BreonnaTaylor. There has to be some type of check and balance when it comes to police officers that exhibit bias towards African-Americans. Over 90% of the police department’s budget goes towards salaries. In discussing the Qualified Immunity issue one officer said, “If that were to happen, we would not have any police officers on the force because they are not paying liability insurance for a job that pays $40-$50K/yr. So how do we hold those officers that want to demonstrate their privilege in ways that kills?
I had a candid conversation with the officers in the photo above. They answered a lot of my questions about police training, community policing, their mental capacity, the bad apples within the police department, and trust concerns African-Americans have of the police especially since there is a tense climate within our city.
My take aways from the conversation is that EVERYONE needs more education on what is involved when it comes to the police training and tactics that are used. The bias that some officers possess before they come on the job is my concern. I do know that there is a psychiatrist on call for those officers dealing with depression and other issues that come from the job. I am all for a CRISIS response team that includes: social workers, therapists, and psychiatrists, and etc. within the department that are called for non-emergency issues. Citizens who have mental illness issues should not be getting a rap sheet or murdered they need help!
A lot of services are offered to improve the relationship with the police and the community but because of trust people do not take advantage of the opportunities. The mindset and perceptions people have of persons of color needs to change. The change begins when we hold the mirror up and begin with ourselves.
We should be #1 in progressive development which equals the playing field of those residents that have been disenfranchised far too long here in Richmond. The mindset of the past we need to deal with so we can move forward and become #AUnitedRichmond.
4. I will propose Innovative Economic Development plans with collaborative regional measures building a skilled labor workforce, a pipeline from poverty to profitability! A downtown infrastructure project involving Community Input from the Start!
In order to increase the tax base for the city we need Infrastructure Projects that will galvanized those in need of a skill which will get residents back to work. There is a shortage of licensed electricians, HVAC installers, plumbers, and mechanics to name a few, and businesses can be a vessel for apprenticeship and mentoring programs for those necessary skills. Our City’s Technical School is not being utilized to the best of its ability. There should be a pipeline of students working towards skilled labor jobs, who may not want to attend college, but there is a path of hope and success for their future. An Innovative Development plan will also increase lodging, meals, and sales taxes which is the foundation of the City’s revenue.
We should be #1 in Short Term Rentals #1 in Amateur Athletics #1 In Schools #1 In Best Restaurants #1 in Learning from Our Past and Working Together to Move Forward for Our Future! There needs to be activity in downtown Richmond. We can be doing so much more as a city if we can craft how the future Richmond will look like. A diverse, community and culturally driven area that can demonstrate to the world how our past is not holding us back!A downtown development is coming and its in the Richmond 300 Master plan. There is a lot of history that we need to heal from and with the Black Lives Matter movement being a driving force for change, now is the time! How are we going to move past our racist history and rectify the poor policies that were put in place over 80 years ago? Now is the time to elect someone who can be that bridge builder we need for the 3rd district!
5. Eliminate Food deserts in the Third district. I plan to bring Vertical farming, which is the practice of growing produce in vertically stacked layers. The practice can use soil, hydroponic or aeroponic growing methods. Vertical farms attempt to produce food in challenging environments, like where land is rare or unavailable. Providing innovative ways to bring healthy food to our community, can create entrepreneurial opportunities, and teach our children how to grow their own food. The vertical farm will also supply fresh fruits and vegetables to local restaurants and food banks to address the need. I have spoken with Duron Chavis, an advocate in urban agriculture here in Richmond, on how to transform the roof of the Dr. Benjamin J. Lambert, III Center and make it sustainable in #TheThird.
REALITY CHECK~ Since this blog post was written and the release of the 2020-2021 budget, this platform idea of mine may not come to fruition due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the budget cuts for programs like this. Addressing the food insecurity a lot of residents face within North Jackson Ward is a major concern of mine. If people are not getting the proper nutrition then how can they learn in school and avoid having pre-existing conditions and contracting Covid-19.
Sen. Tim Kaine and myself at the Rally For Justice, held at Hovey Field on Virginia Union University’s Campus.
If you would like to further discuss your needs and concerns for the City, please reach out by sending an email to runannfrancesrun@gmail.com or message me on my Facebook Fan Page!
Please take a moment to fill out the survey, All About #TheThird and share your thoughts and concerns you have.
If you are interested in scheduling a one-on-one Zoom Call, having a porch chat, or even Face Timing me, please send an email to runannfrancesrun@gmail.com and lets make it happen!
(Authorized by Lambert 4 City Council)
Lambert Talks #AnnCan2020 Campaign and the Removal of the Confederate Monuments on #UncouthRadio Podcast
Today I did my first interview as a candidate for the 3rd District Richmond City Council seat. I was able to tell the viewers a little bit about myself and my platform for the Third!
Take a listen to the interview on #UncouthRadio.
If you would like to support the #AnnCan2020 campaign, be sure to visit http://www.AnnCan2020.com for more information.
Mayor Stoney’s Late Apology is #RVAWrong
I got a chance to listen to what our leadership here in Richmond was saying about the Police and the situation happening around the world. Please share with me (in the comments) on what we need in regards to leadership here in the City of Richmond. Although Mayor Levar Stoney’s intent was good, the timing of it all and having a white police chief, who took blame for making the call to tear gas the protesters, did not help the situation.
People are protesting and being peaceful, but when you are exercising your right to protest and the police are causing harm than good, folks want answers.
Stoney tried to be there for the citizens to listen but the attempt failed because it was a little too late. Governor Doctor Northam executed a curfew for the state which is 8pm. Folks were yelling at Stoney to remove the curfew, his response was “Im not the Governor, he decided that!”
Its evident there is a lack of communication between the Mayor, the City leaders and the citizens. You want to be involved? You want your voice heard?
Tune in this Friday, June 5 at 4pm for A “Candid Candidate Conversation w/Ann-Frances Lambert” We will be discussing Policing Policies and Solutions.
Click here on Friday, June 5, 2020 at 4pm to join the conversation.
A Candid, Candidate Conversation: Policing Policies & Solutions!
This Friday, June 5, 2020 at 4pm on Zoom, 3rd District City Council Candidate Ann-Frances Lambert will host another “Candid Candidate Conversation.” The conversation topic will be “Policing Policies and Solutions”
The 3rd district has had an influx of white families moving back into the area within the last 10 years. Because of this transition there are still elements within our society that we cannot ignore anymore. Racism, Police Brutality, a flawed justice system to name a few. Since the death of George Floyd, a Black Man who died with a knee to the neck by a racist Minnesota cop, people are still not recognizing that Black Lives will always Matter, and should have mattered long before this incident was captured on video.
There are a lot of people in this city that are suffering, angry, confused and tired of the systemic racism that people of color are experiencing at the hands of killer cops across the country. We need a dialogue about these issues that are plaguing our society. That conversation will occur this Friday so tune in and speak your solution!
So the question is How are we going to HEAL from our past? Its starts with a conversation a dialogue where we can LISTEN to each other.
I will continue to demonstrate my leadership to start the conversation and be that bridge builder the 3rd District needs. The Time to Speak Up and Speak Out is NOW!
If you would like to be a part of the #AnnCan2020 campaign go to AnnCan2020.com and show your support! Be sure LIKE and FOLLOW the #AnnCan2020 FB Fan Page, Instagram Account @AnnCan2020, and on #AnnCan2020 on Twitter!
Authorized by Lambert 4 City Council
Property Damage to Downtown Richmond, Damaged the Heart of Our City.
I decided to capture the vandalism and destruction of property that occurred after a tumultuous night in Richmond, VA. The aftermath of Day 1 of rioting due to the death of George Floyd, who was murdered in broad daylight by a racist Minnesota police officer. Cities around the country are rioting and setting businesses and police stations on fire.
I attended a rally at 15th and Main streets organized by Richmond for All non-profit.
After the rally I walked down Broad street and captured photos of some of the damage done to the businesses. Waller Jewelers is a Black owned family jewelry business that was robbed the first night. The looters stole jewelry but they did not steal any of the sorority and fraternity paraphernalia.
All it takes is just a little bit of faith
Mr. Waller
The next morning, Mr. Waller was afraid to see what damage the looters may have caused to his business store front, but upon his arrival he was welcomed by a crowd of sorority and fraternity members ready to support his business. Mr. Waller said, “All it takes is just a little bit of faith”and that faith led me to see how good God is.
If you are looking to get involved, for starters you can donate to the RVA Bail Fund. Another good organization is Richmond For All, they are a coalition of individuals and organizations fighting for housing, education, environmental, & racial justice. Also, the Richmond Transparency Accountability Project (RTAP) is another good organization that builds safer, healthier communities by disrupting mass incarceration at its source: police policies and procedures.Â
Be sure to Register to Vote in the upcoming November General election.
Re-Elect Lambert #AnnCan2024 