Candidate Profile: Krystal Larsosa, Detroit City Council

DETROIT — Voters in Detroit's will vote for its representative to Detroit City Council's first district in November's general elections.

To help readers make informed choices, Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Krystal Larsosa is running against James Tate, Jr. for Detroit City Council. Here's how she filled out her profile:

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Age (as of Election Day)

40

Position Sought

Detroit City Council

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

I live on the west side of Detroit, just west of Greenfield with my husband Jasahn Larsosa and our three daughters, ages 5, 13, and 15. My husband and I grew up together in what we remember as Coleman Young's Detroit, just off of Joy Road on Appoline. This is when the alleys were clean, the homes were occupied, the police were residents, and a good deal of Detroit contractors and business owners lived in Detroit! It's because of this that we grew up in an in-tact neighborhood and remain very close with all the friends with whom we grew up. We seek to re-create that experience for not only our daughters, but all the children and families of Detroit. Our entire family is committed to elevating the brilliance of Detroit residents. This is why my husband ran for mayor and why our daughters, followed by 300k users on Instagram, dedicate their platform to the celebration of beauty and brilliance of Black girls. Is is also why my children are featured on Detroit Public Schools Community District throughout the city and why my husband continues to run Focus: HOPE's division for Advocacy, Equity, & Community Empowerment.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No other family member works in government, but my husband Jasahn Larsosa is deeply involved in politics and community advocacy.

Education

I graduated from Eastern University with a degree in Criminal Justice.

Occupation

I am a child- and youth-development professional having worked in the juvenile justice system, the church, and in DPSCD organizing safe play, interactive learning, and leadership experiences. But ultimately, I set my career aside to focus on home as well as my family's business interests.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

I have neve held or previously sought public office.

Campaign website

www.votelarsosa.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am seeking office for three reasons: To create inspiration for those who would not normally seek public office to step forward and lead while also engaging new voters; to model change agency for young people; and to implement a truly race equity approach to government here in the city of Detroit.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing Detroit is residents' limited access to economic opportunity and subsequent subpar services. I intend to prioritize contracts and employment for Detroit residents so that we are circulating and growing our wealth. This will also be part of a strategy to grow our population and strengthen our tax base and services.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am the only candidate who promises to put Detroit first. My opponent has pumped jobs and contracts into the suburbs for over a decade.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

The incumbent has chosen for over a decade to prioritize the suburbs for jobs and contracts, which has benefited those communities while failing ours in terms of wealth building opportunities, services, and morale. This is why folks are speeding down our streets, abusing opioids and other drugs, throwing trash out of the windows and resorting to crime. Detroit deserves change.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

While Detroit does has access to testing and vaccines, the local officials again failed to award enough contracts to Detroiters, which would have made us part of the economic gain, brought us to the table as leaders and influencers and ensured that more community folks opted into safe measures.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Black people and other communities of color not only deserve access to opportunity, but also to be inspired, to see those with lived experience reflected in positions of leadership as change agents and role models.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Because I am dispelling the myth that our leaders should be politicians and businessman, I'd be remiss not to mention that my main qualification is as a Detroit residents with lived experience and a track record for listening and serving others. I am a community organizer who has helped to mobilize thousands of volunteers to advance community agendas. Most important, I am a mom who is vested in centering the experiences and interests of others before my own. That said, my experiences are a testament to the qualification of thousands more in this city who need only be assured by our community that we trust them to lead!

The best advice ever shared with me was:

I have had a lot of great shared with me, but one piece that comes to mind is from my husband, Jasahn Larsosa, who consistently insists we should all trust the wisdom that comes through lived experience and know that those from impacted communities are the experts in the room. As a life-long Detroiter, I understand that I--along with the thousands who share my experiences--am the expert on Detroit issues.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am an artist, a community organizer, and a child- and youth development professional. I set my career aide to focus on home and my immediate community. As a result, my daughters are straight-A students and influencers in their own right. God has been good to my family and as a result, I want to extend our god fortune to all of District 1 and Detroit.