Mansa Latham Williams: 2023 candidate for Aurora City Council (At Large)

Bio

Town: Aurora

Age on Election Day: 37

Occupation: Strategic Human Resources Thought-Leader

Employer: Self-employed; Amenti.HR

Previous offices held: N/A

Q&A

Q: What is the most serious issue your community will face in the coming years and how should the city council respond to it?

A: The most serious issue Aurora is facing in the coming years is the decision of what shall replace the casino in the heart of Downtown Aurora. This decision will be the most critical decision the city will make within Aurora's 189 year history; besides voting Mansa Latham for Alderman At-Large on April 4.

We must replace the downtown Aurora casino with a solution that is revenue generating and community building. We have the opportunity to make Aurora a Destination City and I pray you spread this good news!

Q: How would you describe the state of your community's finances?

A: Aurora is in a strong financial position and I admire many of the capital investment projects we have launched recently. I see opportunities for Aurora to pursue technology related research grants to enhance our investment in establishing more tech startups in Aurora.

Q: What should be the three top priorities for spending in your community during the next four years?

A: Utility infrastructure improvements

Community Services

Economic Development and Capital Investment

Utility infrastructure improvements secure the health and safety of our residents.

Economic Development ensures a viable solution is made for the replacement of the casino in downtown Aurora.

Working with our police and fire department and the community services department can yield innovative solutions for providing in-home healthcare for our isolated elderly population living with disabilities, enhancing police response to scenarios involving members of the neurodiverse community, and standing up safe and inclusive public spaces for our youth and young adults to find belonging.

Q: Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed? If so, what are they?

A: I commend our leadership for taking the first step in making significant investments in our infrastructure and economy, but I was born and raised in Aurora, and I am most concerned with the long-term success of these initial investments. It is table stakes the Office of Alderman thoroughly reviews, prioritizes and approves projects not just for short-term wins but for long-term viability.

I foresee an excellent opportunity to collaborate with our police and fire departments to sponsor our community services department more paths of outreach to enrich the quality of life for Aurora residents.

Q: What do you see as the most important infrastructure project the community must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what project(s) can be put on the back burner?

A: All Aurora residents deserve access to clean and safe drinking water and I highly support Aurora's efforts to evaluate, repair, and replace our deteriorating sewer line and water main systems. Additionally, the efforts being made to repair and improve the city's road infrastructure are crucial as these are elements that support community building and enhance quality of life.

Financing these investments through state and federal investment funds is a savvy way for Aurorans to see their tax dollars at work within the communities and neighborhoods they live.

Aurora has completed significant investments in updating our broadband internet infrastructure and access for residents, and additional evaluations should be completed to determine needs for future infrastructure investments.

Q: Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach agreement and manage local government? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your city council.

A: In my career as a Strategic Human Resources Thought-Leader, supporting some of the largest and most recognized global brands, it was required I successfully influence the decision making of executive leaders and business owners. Most recently, I supported the divisions of a pharmaceutical company in North Chicago responsible for generating over $9 billion in revenue.

In the wake of a major merger and acquisition, I helped business leaders acclimate to new teams by providing psychological safety, I helped identify best practices and executed major organizational restructures, and I led a statistical gap analysis to identify priorities and validate business strategies. I am decisive and I enjoy helping people connect dots faster when making innovative solutions.

Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?

A: The Alderman At-Large role is responsible for building collaboration, consensus and influencing decision-making. In my career as a Human Resources Thought-Leader, supporting some of the largest and most recognized global brands, it was required I successfully influence the decision making of executive leaders and business owners.

Handling talent acquisition recruiting, employee benefits and retention, and strategic people planning on average I help organizations reduce employee attrition by 65% and improve employee effort by 36%. My international business experience is what sets me apart from my peers and makes me the best candidate for the job.

Q: What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?

A: My primary goal is to make Aurora a destination city. We can accomplish this by upskilling our people with tech certifications. If smaller cities including Louisville, Austin, and Miami can establish themselves as emerging tech hubs, Aurora can achieve the same. I am determined to be a positive force for change and make a meaningful difference in the lives of our people by preparing our workforce for tech jobs.