By: Jackie Hardy, NDG Contributing Writer
On May 9, Dallas voters will go to the polls to choose candidates vying for all 14 city council seats up for re-election along with deciding on the at-large mayoral seat.
District 3 is one of the 14 single-member districts comprising Dallas County, this district covers most of the southern sectors within the City west of Interstate 35 and north of Interstate 20.
According to the City of Dallas Secretary’s Office, District 3 candidates include: Attorney and Associate Judge of Dallas Municipal Court, Wini Cannon; Criminal Defense Attorney, B.D. Howard; and Educator, Casey Thomas, II.
Gerald Britt, former Senior Pastor of the New Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church and current Vice President of Public Policy and Workforce Development for a non-profit organization called, CitySquare is also vying for the Place 3 seat.
Britt supervises CitySquare’s service programs encompassing Permanent Supportive Housing program, public interest law firm, after-school programs, the Roseland Home Community Center, San Antonio program-Urban Connection San Antonio (UC-SA), and oversees the development of the organization’s public policy agenda. He also leads and prepares CitySquare’s advocacy agenda based on the organizations values and the implications obtained from its service programs.
North Dallas Gazette interviewed Reverend Britt to discuss what led him to a life in public service and why he feels he is the best candidate for Place 3.
Coming from a family with a strong legacy of ministry, Britt feels it was a natural progression to move toward a life of public service. Britt has been married to his wife, Terrie for over 30 years and together they raised three daughters.
“I am third generation of preachers and pastors on both sides of my family. I actually began preaching at my grandfather’s church. He pastored at Shady Grove Baptist Church in East Dallas for 69 years,” comments Britt on being from a long line of family ministers.
While serving 22 years as Senior Pastor of New Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, Britt advised there were two defining moments that helped to shape and set the stage of a future in public service.
“Once you know and see it {social issues}for yourself and you get to know the people {parishioners} who are involved; it’s hard not to get involve,” he adds.
“I told the church we could be a redemptive element in our community,” commented Britt in regards to the charge he gave to the congregants with respect to challenging and changing the status quo within their community.
According to Britt, he practices a leadership philosophy that empowers people. Britt’s leadership style is largely based on the book, “Whose Holding the Umbrella,” as he shares the premise of the book is learning how to make room for people by identifying what their needs are and allowing those under your leadership to grow in the process.
“When it comes to leadership philosophy it’s really more about identifying leaders and identifying where their hurts and anger is and organizing around that and providing the conduit to getting things done. It’s a direct result of my community organizing and I figured out a long time ago I work best with others,” he adds.
Britt’s feels his 20 plus years of experience and accomplishments both in the ministry and in the private-sector is what uniquely sets him apart from his opponents.
Britt’s extensive leadership accomplishments include:
- Â Leading the efforts as well as the execution of the South Dallas Action Plan, a comprehensive strategic plan for renewal of South Dallas economic infrastructure
- Securing $425,000 for the mortgage subsidiaries for housing within District 3 in addition to monies helping to leverage the redevelopment of Bexar Street
- Creating the charge to implement public funding for after-school programs in every school within Dallas; thus led to being awarded the Mickey Leland Human and Civil Rights Award
- Developed and instituted job training programs to address the unemployed and difficult to employ among Dallas County citizens from vulnerable communities
- Successfully advocated in passing ordinances to regulate payday and auto title loan establishments
“Gerald Britt has distinguished himself as a leader who is respected by citizens all across our community. One of our City’s intellectual and social policy leaders, Gerald will make a great city council member for his District, as well as for the good of the entire community,” sentiments shared by Larry James, Chief-Executive Officer of CitySquare.
Among the present Dallas City Council, Britt feels there is a lack in practicing the art of negotiating and having healthy debates that lead to solutions that are advantageous for everyone.
“Democracy is a messy process and so there is going to be argument and frustration. But, the real question is not rather not that’s going to be–it’s the question of rather or not you got enough relationship to stay there at the table and argue ,” adds Britt.
Prioritizing the importance of relationships in conjunction with effectively being able to convey a clear vision while exercising imagination, he feels are important elements to achieving democracy.
“One of the things I was taught that politics is a process of debate, negotiation and compromise and so, your best deals are the ones when nobody is exactly, totally happy with what they get, but getting people to be alright with that and maintaining the relationship in the process. So it’s that process of building relationships, letting people know what’s possible, letting them know, if they can’t get what they want …,” he advises.
Housing, employment, business development and education reform are a few of his campaign talking points. Britt strongly believes what he is campaigning for are core issues both reflective of the residents’ aspirations for change and the fundamental need for economic development for District 3.
According to the American Community Survey (Source: 2009-2013), 19.1 percent of individuals in Dallas County live below the poverty line meaning a household of four with an income of $23,850 is considered living in poverty and in a Dallas Morning News article published last August, it reported from 2000 to 2012 , Dallas County’s poor population increased an overwhelming 41 percent, while the city’s overall population grew only 5 percent.
He further explains that, “Job training and jobs for youth are means by which parents get to model successful behavior before their children; fostering a business environment that is productive not only for more capital in neighborhoods, but it also provides young people and even those who are of low income to model successful behavior.”
Here are a few of the action items Britt expressed to NDG in regards to his campaign platform:
- Education reform-strengthening the parameters around the school to “No Drug” and “No Firearm” zones; establishing partnerships with public safety agencies and business leaders; implementing crime prevention measures by taking action with the home vacancies near public schools
- Economic Development-ensuring adequate public meetings for District 3 residents to voice their concerns/preferences as plans are finalized for the Dallas Execute Airport expansion (i.e. noise issues); vigorously negotiate and recruit major manufacturing, construction, retail companies to the southern sectors in the effort to help bring above minimum wage jobs
- Employment/Workforce Solutions-establish a coalition where non-profits, community college districts and businesses can come together to form partnerships to facilitate job-driven training that leads to living wage jobs that parlays to a career track with career benefits (i.e. auto body repair, commercial, highway construction, etc…)
- Neighborhood Plus Program (initiative created by Dallas City Manager A.C. Gonzalez that tackles economic challenges on a neighborhood based approach)-fostering open and honest discussions regarding the financial commitment, city allocation of funds, and investment it will require for the city to address the poverty and economic issues affecting District 3
Britt feels out all of the candidates he is the only candidate who has the tangible experience to do the job.
“I’ve known Gerald for over 25 years. I’ve observed him in all sorts of situations, facing various challenges. In every case Gerald has responded with commitment, consistency, compassion and courage,” continued James on why he feels confident Britt is the right candidate for District 3.
Voters may visit http://brittfordistrict3.com/ or go to https://www.facebook.com/geraldbrittfordistrict3 for additional campaign information. Early voting begins April 27.
I say Amen! Give the good Reverend a chance to jump into the fire with all of the other satans. Who knows…maybe he can walk on water and heal the sick. He has my blessings and hopes…and prayers.