Cambridge Election 2024 Ward 2 candidate Shay Lewis-Sisco

Editor’s Note: On Oct. 19, voters in the City of Cambridge will select from a field of candidates for City Council and Mayor.

CAMBRIDGE - In August, the Banner reached out to each candidate with questions and will be posting their answers in full on Bay-to-Bay News each day during the week of Sept. 23 – 27.

City Council Candidates – Ward 2: Shay Lewis-Sisco

What inspired you to run for City Council in 2024?

Encouragement from other community leaders, residents, and friends who believed I would be great. While my immediate response was gratitude for their consideration, my response was maybe the next time. However, at the last minute, when no one had filed for Ward 2, my thoughts were that I could not let our community down by not having someone represent Ward 2 on the council. So, with that in mind, I filed my candidacy to not only serve the constituents in Ward 2 but to serve on the next level as the liaison and a champion to build on the momentum of collaboration, an accessible public servant, and a friend. My life embodiment has been serving and supporting those in need. Hence, the name of my campaign. Serving with Shay!

Please comment on any qualifications or background you feel would be especially beneficial to serving on the City Council.

My educational journey has led to a Bachelor of Science in psychology with a minor in political science and current pursuit of my graduate studies in Career Technical Education, which brings me an understanding of the political process and engagement with people. My life experience has led me to embrace the heart of service as a public servant through volunteerism. My volunteer experiences serving on the For All Seasons Board of Directors, Dorchester County Public School Curriculum Coordinating Committee, DCPS Title I Family Engagement Committee, Chesapeake College Multicultural Committee, the Cambridge Waterfront Development Inc. as appointed by the City, and serving in the church I attend, Living by Truth Ministries, speaks to my passion for serving, advocacy, and community. My volunteer experience helped enhance my leadership skills while helping develop effective communication, active/reflective listening, critical thinking, and decision-making skills. I have been fortunate to expand my cultural competency, organizational development, and supportive networks with expertise to assist in navigating community concerns. I was awarded 2023 Town Watch recognition at the MidShore Community Foundation Annual Awards.

My work experience with the public school system, State Department of Labor, non-profit health education organization, State Department of Human Service/Dorchester County Department of Social Services, and the United States Census Bureau speaks to my desire for human services and helping others. Other qualifications include a Global Career Development Facilitator certification, Certified Federal Job Search Trainer, Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor, and Mental Health First Aider. My life’s journey has assisted with equipping me with the skills needed to serve the City as a Ward 2 Commissioner if that is what the constituents decide on October 19th.

Can you pinpoint one or more area(s) of personal and/or professional growth which would be a special strength on City Council?

Active/reflective listening, open respectful, transparent lines of communication is an essential skill as a public servant. Communication and delegation are personal and professional growth areas that would be a special strength on City Council. Although communication is a broad topic, the mediation training I took last year through Mid-Shore Mediation provided targeted training to navigate conflict, listen, and acknowledge individual and group values. Delegation is necessary to understanding one person can’t do it alone. We need expert stakeholders and community to build community.

Comment on any (or all) of Cambridge's issues. Feel free to add any additional issues:

1.Juvenile curfew and positive youth initiatives: Supporting the Chief and Cambridge Police Department with providing support to families through enforcing the juvenile curfew. Community policing efforts to build community trust with our law enforcement  are both critical  and vital to  supporting families and addressing the needs of our  youth.
2.Cambridge Waterfront development, YMCA: In terms of the YMCA, there is no active discussion of the YMCA relocating to the waterfront development. In the past, I believe the YMCA put out several communications concerning their plans without communicating with CWDI. I felt that the lack of communication with CWDI and the timeliness of the YMCA messages brought about organizational integrity and community faith.
3.Flooding mitigation efforts: The City has invested in the Make Cambridge Resilient initiative and the partnership with Horn Point Environmental lab to address the extreme flooding concerns are critical. It is important to understand and support the initiative to support the flooding mitigation efforts
4.Safe, affordable housing: Response in housing question below
5.Growing and sustaining Main Street and Pine Street: Continue to support the current city initiatives and identifying resources with our partners to maintain sustainability for those businesses.

How would you help contribute to moving Cambridge forward? Addressing the past? Bringing the city together?

My contribution to moving Cambridge forward would be a commitment to understanding the past and breaking down the barriers that keeps us divided as a community. The intentional investment in inclusive, events and a strategic approach to be responsive to the community would be a great way to bring the city together.

Please feel free to connect with me:
Shay Lewis-Sisco
443-440-5370
United4cstrong@gmail.com