I am an African man, I came here forty years ago. A white family taught me how to be in this country. I own several properties in this area and the Central District; I understand development.

African people here, in this city, want to help this country. We want to see this country be its best.

The city needs input and perspective.

What is the benefit, what is the cost, who is benefiting from this development we can see from here, along Rainier?

What is the net development for those that have been here 30-40 years?

We are not taking care of our people. Where is the sponsorship to help people? How come that cycle is broken? Why so much hatred and stress, why aren’t government people listening?

We need balance in public policy. First: being inclusive, not just for a certain segment of society.

Where is the comprehensive study by the city? What is the price for people telling the truth?

This is phenomenal, what the Hub is doing, talking to the people. Seattle is one of the few cities doing this. I have lived here a long time, and no one has ever asked me what I think about the city, how I would want my neighborhood to develop.

For any successful project, you need to listen to the people in the neighborhood.