Regina Young

Regina Young earned an M.A. in community development from Eastern University. Young's career experience includes working as a community organizer.[1]

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Candidate Conversations

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a mother, wife, educator, organizer, coordinator, and Founder of Empowered Community Development Corporation with over 20 years of community-related experience. I am a proven leader who advocates for services and programs that empower communities. When families and communities thrive, so does the district. I became laser-focused on working to create a better existence while reminding my neighbors that they too have plenty to offer, regardless of their socio-economic status. Far too often, I watched how decisions were begin made about people, but the people were not included in the process so the efforts were not received well. I decided that having an inclusive approach worked best because it gives everyone a voice along with a responsibility to act. In this approach, I discovered that you get better government when you involve different voices.

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?

I will continue to advocate for safer communities, including saying no to safe injection sites and providing resources to our undeserved and Immigrant community membersI will continue to demand that public education is improved so that all students can have viable resources.Judicial Reform. Our system must address how we approach and respond to people in crisis and their patterns of decision making that afflicts on society

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education is my passion area as it relates to public policy. While pregnant, I had to start thinking about the educational journey for my child. The efforts and persistence I had to make to simply get my child into a quality program were overwhelming. I drove my children over 12 miles each weekday, for 6 years just so they can be educated in an environment that was satisfactory. I understood that I was not the only parent who sought to have quality education so I wanted to work within my community to help support and strengthen the neighborhood schools. I saw how state resources can help, but it was also an opportunity to remind myself along with community members that there is power at the community level as well. The strides that we were able to make were amazing. Until state and system-level resources are in place at our local public schools, I will continue to work to empower the community by gathering the skills, talents, and resources to support our youth. An educated and well-resourced community will lead to a community of economic value and pride.

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

I look up to my paternal grandparents. They were humbled quiet people who saw value in family and community. My grandfather built a home for his family, with his own hands. My grandparents had a garden where they grew their vegetables and they had chickens and hogs. Although they had 10 children of their own, they never turned down the opportunity to feed the community from their garden, nor shelter when needed. They were good people, who saw value in teaching their children the importance of treating each people, including each other with basic human decency and kindness. To this day, my father and his siblings continue to live out their parent's legacy. Everything starts with human connections. I would like to continue to focus on those basic values because it matters. If I can be a part of a system that allows room for people to have a voice and be empowered, then I strongly believe that we can grow as a society.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

The three most important characteristics/principles for an elected official:

1- Passionate- To advocate for the people who what to represent, adequately, you need to be passionate about wanting to see the progression and having them feel supported and heard.

2-Integrity- To operate with a level of integrity that is also trustworthy. If the core of the person appears to be a concern, then their political agenda should be of concern.

3-Empathic listener- The moment that the politician can not connect with the people they want to serve, then problems occur.

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

I am an empathetic listener and a curious learner. I fully understand the feeling of being rejected because of how someone categorizes your background. Often times in the communities that I am seeking to serve, people are often looked over and told what will be given to them instead of including them in the conversation. It makes one feel unworthy, so I know how to recognize the faces in the crowd once such things occur. In my work, I have been known to have community members, parents and students hold dialogue with organizational and political leaders, simply because they never thought it was possible. We are connected through humanity and I want to have an inclusive administration that exhibits such.

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

President Reagan era. "Just Say No' campaign, late '80's, early '90's. My older set of siblings (from my mother's 1st marriage) were battling with addiction, in the most incredible way so watching the leadership of this country constantly say, "just say not" did not resonate in my community. There were no options to just say no, especially when resources and quality supports were not in place. Households, due to lack of employment and community supports for the youth caused a breakdown in families, especially in urban areas where people were underserved areas. I was transitioning from middle school to high school, where the breakdown in families was the norm. Drug use was the norm. I vividly remember walking to school, through a neighborhood park (which was my regular route) at 7:30 in the morning and people were passing needles and spoons with lighters over my head. On one particular day, I remember walking with my friend and saying that when I grow up, I wanted to help people see the strength that they already had in them. In hindsight, I guess I never gave thought to how much those words translated into my belief and then turned in to action.

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

My very first job was at a Pizza shop, Pizza Pal. I was 14 years old and I had it for about 6 months. I was paid to take orders over the phone and wait on customers. At the time, I was the only person in my family with a job. I was a freshman in high school and I did not really understand the value of money. Surrounded by a community of friends and family who made me feel like working was not "cool", I gave in to the pressure and quit. This was indeed a teachable moment because when I no longer had money, I quickly learned that I needed to embrace my inner voice when making decisions, even when it not a popular opinion among others. I have learned to align myself with people who were interested in creating options for themselves and others. I strongly believe that I began the journey that I am currently, at the age of 14.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Value In The Valley- Iyanla Vanzant. This book helped to transform my thinking and behavior towards myself and others. As a practicing Christian, in my young 20's I know what I was supposed to do, say and act, but I was missing the blueprint regarding the how. This book helped me with how I need to transform my thinking and behavior. I gave them out as gifts for years.

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

I am a Conqueror, - Estelle

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

I believe that it would be helpful for state legislators to have an understanding of how political influences impact communities at a local level. Far too often I observe how our politicians attend community functions, take what community members express and say, "okay, I'll take care of that" or "okay, I'll see what I can do". There are not too many who I witness, provide a dialogue about how these requests work. There is a clear disconnect from how politically-minded and community-minded people approach the work that is necessary at the state level. It is up to the legislator to interpret the requests to and from the community and fellow legislators.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes. Knowledge and information are power and before one can seek to change, we must first seek to understand. How can one understand without dialogue? It would not be difficult to identify the differences, however, the work comes in when we are seeking to identify common ground. Relationship building is especially important because amongst legislators because our interest should align with the interest of the community/district that we represent.

Both sitting legislators 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?

Yes. Working in my district for fifteen years, I've learned that I have so many similarities with parents, homeowners, shoppers, and organizers simply because we share desired outcomes; a viable healthy and thriving community. Although there is much diversity, I have yet to meet a parent who did not state that they want the best for their child, or be in a position to provide adequate options and opportunities for their family. I have yet to meet someone who does not want to feel safe while walking down the street or simply sitting on their porches. These are impactful situations because there are more people who can resonate with each other, than not.