Hasani Burton

Burton was born in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from Indiana University in 2007. His career experience includes serving as the CEO of Kemet Inspired Media LLC.[1]

Burton has been affiliated with the following organizations:

LULAC

NAACP

The 23rd Senatorial District Tejano Democrats

North Texas Asian Democrats

Sierra Club

DFW Urban League Young Professionals

Dallas Mexican American Historical League

Stonewall Democrats

Dallas County Democratic Party[2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Hasani Burton is an American entrepreneur and long time champion of democratic values. He founded Kemet Inspired Media LLC in 2016 while recovering from a near fatal car wreck caused by a drunk driver. He has served as a member of organizations such as LULAC, NAACP, The 23rd Senatorial District Tejano Democrats, the North Texas Asian Democrats, Stonewall Democrats, Sierra Club and DFW Urban League Young Professionals. He is also a Precinct Chair for the Dallas County Democratic Party, a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians and most recently served as a volunteer organizer in the fight for fair maps in the redistricting process.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

#BuildingOnProgress#SupportSmallBusiness#CleanEnergy

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

-Supporting the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.

-Support women's reproductive rights.

-Support justice reform legislation.

-Support Medicare as a public option.

-Support legislation to combat climate change.

-Support legislation to decrease property tax burdens on seniors.

-Support legislation to decrease income taxes on working Texans.

-Support college student loan forgiveness.

-Support expanding public pre-K.

-Support investments in small business.

-Support an unconditional basic income trial period.

-Support legislation to bring healthy food to all Texan communities.

-Support immigration reform.

-Support diplomacy as a first line of defense.

-Support animal welfare legislation.

-Support Build Back Better

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

The "who do you look up to" question has always been a difficult one for me since I don't really "look up" to anyone, but I have great admiration for people all through history.

I admire Mansa Musa for not just acquiring wealth, but the good deeds he did with it. He is a fine example of how those with wealth are in a position to contribute to the progress of society.

I admire Marcus Aurelius for his governing through the perspective of Stoic philosophy. Stoics are able to be flexible, yet pragmatic with excellent foresight.

I admire President Bill Clinton for being one of only two presidents to "balance the budget."

I admire Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg for her skills of moderation and consensus building, along with her resilience.

I admire Elon Musk for his innovation and vision. May my bloodline make it to the first colony on Mars.

I admire President Barack Obama for inspiring me to go beyond what convention says is possible.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The first historical event that really made me start paying attention to what's happening in other parts of the world was 9/11. I'll never forget, I was sitting in Home Room during my senior year of high school watching the tragedy unfold with classmates. I was 17 years old at the time.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. Even from a young age I would create "small businesses" for myself to keep a few dollars in my pocket. However, my first job as an employee was detasseling corn over the summer on an Indiana farm. I was 14 years old. The work was difficult, the hours felt long, but I befriended people from a variety of backgrounds and the pay was excellent. The sense of comradery and pride I learned from this job I have taken with me in everything I do.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Industry Baby by Lil Nas X

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

The single greatest challenge for the United States over the next decade, and far beyond, is how the economy will support working Americans in the face of automation, stagnant wages and inflation. Without a strong economy, this great experiment called the United States will come to a screeching halt.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

House Small Business Committee

House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

House Committee on Energy and Commerce

House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

House Committee on Education and Labor

House Committee on Foreign Affairs

House Committee on Ways and Means

House Committee on Agriculture

House Committee on Natural Resources

House Joint Committee on Taxation

House Joint Economic Committee

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

In policymaking not only is compromise necessary, but the only reality. The best public policy does as much good for as many people as possible. This is achieved through compromise.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Hasani Burton (born March 25th, 1984) is an American entrepreneur and CEO of Kemet Inspired Media LLC based in Dallas, Texas. Kemet Inspired Media LLC was founded in 2016 while Hasani was recovering from a near fatal car wreck caused by a drunk driver a few months after his campaign for Dallas City Council in 2015. He previously worked as a District Manager for the world's largest privately owned medical device company and has served on several boards and commissions like the Landmark Commission, the South Dallas Fair Park Opportunity Fund, Preservation Dallas, the Mayor's Task Force On Poverty, Working In Neighborhoods Strategically, a Community Housing Development Organization and the Animal Advisory Commission. He has also founded several other businesses like the certified Historically Underutilized Business HJ Enterprises, the real estate company Bennu Properties LLC and most recently Kemet Investing LLC in 2019.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

#BuildingOnProgress#Medicare4ALL#ADOS

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

1) Healthcare

2) Education

3) Economics

4) Human Rights

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Hasani Burton greatly admires Marcus Aurelius and recommends his book Meditations.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Hasani Burton is intelligent, open minded, empathetic, Stoic and pragmatic.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Hasani Burton would like to leave a legacy of progress.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Hasani Burton's first job was creating a game out of painted walnuts and selling them to neighborhood kids for $.05 at the age of 7yo. This was the beginning of his passion for entrepreneurship. His first employed position was detasseling corn on an Indiana farm at the age of 14yo with youths from a variety of backgrounds. These two work experiences would shape Hasani's mentality on earning money for the rest of his life.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Last Herald Mage by Mercedes Lackey. When Hasani Burton was young this book provided an escape to a fantastical world that taught him to be open minded, compassionate and to sacrifice for a cause greater than himself.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Hasani Burton has always admired Professor Charles Xavier, founder of the X-Men, so much that even though he can grow a full head of hair he shaves it bald.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Man In The Mirror by Michael Jackson

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Hasani Burton has struggled with depression from the way the world is versus how he believes it could become.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

Hasani Burton believes experience in government can be beneficial, but what is equally important is intelligent, open minded representation with the empathy to connect to constituent's every day lives.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Preparing younger generations for a society dominated by technology and automation while making sure older generations have happy, healthy, long retirements filled with new experiences. In the not so distant future employment positions once reserved for blue collared workers will be occupied by white collar workers. Younger generations need the science, technology, engineering and mathematics education to fill these positions.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Hasani Burton would be ideal for the Committee on Science and Technology due to his background as a Research Scientist in Genetics. Hasani Burton would also be ideal for the Committee on Small Business due to his entrepreneurial experience.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Hasani Burton believes that a representative should serve for four year terms limited to four terms in a lifetime (16 years).

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Hasani Burton believes all elected offices should have term limited. Elected office is a service, not a career.

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

Hasani Burton is always willing to serve in leadership roles should the party have need of his unique skills.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Hasani Burton models himself to a small degree after former Senator Barack Obama who he served as a Delegate for during the Texas Democratic Convention in the 2008 presidential primary.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

A single mother with two young twin daughters lost her job due to a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and was worried how she would provide for her girls. Hasani keeps this story close to his heart.

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