11 Sep Q&A: On Richmond City Council, Ahmad Anderson Says He ‘Will Do What Isn’t Done’

Ahmad Anderson is running to represent District 5 on Richmond City Council. (Campaign photo via anderson4richmond.com)

Interview, Joe Porrello

Name: Ahmad Anderson

Age: 64

Employment History: Director of People and Culture at the Gardens of Golden Gate Park, working on Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion plan; Vice President of Human Resources for Goodwill Industries of the Greater East Bay; East Bay Workforce Development Supervisor for UPS

Public service: Vice president and/or board member for organizations including KPFA Radio, Goodwill Industries, the Contra Costa County Child Care Council, the county Youth Service Bureau, the Habitot Children’s Museum, Richmond Chamber of Commerce and the Richmond NAACP

Education: UC Berkeley, B.A. in Political Science

District: 5

This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.

>>>2020 Election Archives: Q&A: Ahmad Anderson Is a ‘Native Son’ of Richmond Politics<<<

Contra Costa Pulse: How has your background shaped your decision to run for City Council? Why are you running?

Ahmad Anderson: My lifelong commitment and service to this community makes me very much qualified to be not only on the ballot but to be a representative for the voice of the people. I’ve got to know Richmond up close and personal. 

I ran for office in 1985 after working for one year with Sen. Alan Cranston on his Democratic nomination for president. The work that I did during that time really put it together between going from being an academic to actual lived experience. 

I also knew the city because my father (the Rev. Booker T. Anderson) had been mayor and a city councilperson from 1969 to 1975. I’ve had that experience of being able to connect with the city, not just from the District 5 level but really understanding the pulse of the people. I also ran for the BART board in 1992, which gave me an opportunity to understand regional politics. Although I did not win in either of those contests, I realized there was room for me — as my father taught me — to do all I can do in my community, be all I can be in my community, and most importantly, build relationships in my community. It has given me a plethora of experience to meet people where they are, at different walks of life, and then reflect on how policies impact them. 

CCPulse: What would you say the No. 1 issue facing Richmond right now is?

Ahmad Anderson: I think the biggest issue is economic development. Resources and revenue provide the type of financial support that invigorates us to strengthen workforce development plans. Workforce development plans bring in new jobs, jobs bring in tax revenue, and tax revenue fuels the city to be able to take care of staffing. Proper staffing improves productivity and morale that ensures public safety by limiting unnecessary overtime, and public safety encourages folks to want to build in the city because they know they are protected. 

It generates leadership with good governance by bringing in companies that meet us where we are from a socioeconomic level. Where folks are able to make purchases in the community without overspending, which leads to people leaving Richmond because they can’t afford rent. I’m looking at ways to increase economic flow by taking care of infrastructure; the street cleanings, the potholes; monitoring and ensuring we don’t have sideshows. I’m also going to work on making sure there’s appropriate response time to 911, on-call community policing at night, and that those who protect and serve are protecting and serving in the way that we deserve.

CC Pulse: Are you hearing any other concerns from residents? If so, how will you address those issues?

Ahmad Anderson: With economic development comes a sense of purpose… a purpose to ensure you have environmental justice and hold people accountable who pollute our cities. I know there’s this issue about Chevron and the $500 million… We should have an oversight that not only looks over how that money is dispersed — because it does go to the general fund — but also holds businesses and policymakers responsible as we move toward the reduction of fossil fuels. Current leadership made the decision to buy Chevron for another 10 years, but I don’t hear what the plan is to reduce fossil fuels. It’s more than just a talking point; it would make life healthier for the citizens of Richmond. It would also create a better quality of life for the communities we put industries in; the Black and Brown communities along the Southside of Richmond, where I’ve lived all my life.

I look to put together a plan that speaks directly to how this could work, not just philosophize. I will have a dialogue with those who presently sit on the City Council and speak with staff to find out what the challenges are, while seeing where they had success as well. I will do what isn’t done, which I think is imperative. That is, not getting caught up in our own districts but collaborating with other members of the council in their districts on how decisions in one area impact others and align with the overall plan of the city, making it a better place to live. I want to make sure we’re all on the same page as best we can be — whether it’s your last or first run in office — so we can see the bigger picture and not just part of it.

CC Pulse: Lastly, what message do you have for voters as they get closer to Election Day, and why should they vote for you?

Ahmad Anderson: It’s about having diversity of thought. It’s about asking themselves, ‘Has life been better for me in the last four to eight years?’ What is not being done and what would you like to be done? And if you are looking for someone who not only talks about a plan, not only works with you on a plan, but drives home that plan with your support and with you in mind, then voting for Ahmad Anderson in District 5 is your best choice. 

Aside from my experience, I come from a family that has done right by the city and have been leaders in the city ever since we came to Richmond. My father was a minister, led the fight in civil rights, and worked with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on educational justice. My mother (Irma Anderson) was the first African American woman to be elected mayor of a major city in California. She not only impacted this city but women of color throughout Contra Costa County. She taught me that giving back to your community is the rent you pay to live on this Earth. I’m not doing this for myself, I’m doing this for we, us, the people. It is my mission, it is my goal, that whether I win or lose, my rent is paid in full because I’ve given all I could give.