Dear Black Residents of Dunbar,
I write to you today with a heavy heart, reflecting on the recent political developments in Dunbar and the loss of African-American leadership presence in the community. With Jacquelyn McMiller’s defeat at the hands of Diana Giraldo in the most recent election, we are faced with the stark reality that the voice of Black leadership in our community has been further diminished. This loss is particularly painful considering the circumstances surrounding it and the ongoing issues of gentrification that threaten to further marginalize our people in Dunbar.
Let’s begin with the facts: Jacquelyn McMiller, a dedicated public servant and advocate for the community, was the most qualified of the three Black candidates running for office. Her commitment to the people, her understanding of the challenges facing Dunbar, and her vision for the future were better than Arlease and Chanetta. Yet, despite this, she received little to no substantial support from the Black leadership currently in office. The lack of open endorsement from influential figures within our community speaks volumes about the fractured state of our leadership and the missed opportunity for Black Unity.
Instead, what we witnessed was a disastrous split among the very people who should have been working together for a common cause. Chanetta Campbell, who had no real business running for office given her apparent lack of understanding of basic governmental functions — like the Sunshine Law — further complicated the race. Chanetta’s candidacy did not reflect the needs or aspirations of the Black community in Dunbar. In fact, her lack of preparation was so apparent that it became a liability to our cause. More concerning, however, was the false narrative she initially spread, claiming that influential figures like Johnny Streets and Fred Burson were backing her candidacy. This was a lie. Fred Burson, an elected official, openly endorsed Diana Giraldo with a maximum contribution of $1,000. Johnny Streets, while sympathetic to the community, did not openly support Chanetta’s campaign either.
This misrepresentation and division of resources between candidates led to a weakened Black presence in the race, and ultimately, a loss for Jacquelyn. The so-called “Daughters of Dunbar”— a group that should have been a force for unity — were pitted against each other, draining the limited resources available for Black candidates. The split effectively weakened our collective political power and, in the end, it was the community that lost. It’s deeply frustrating to watch this kind of disarray unfold, particularly when the stakes are so high. The Dunbar community was warned in previous articles, but some people would rather kill the truth and embrace the lies.
For those of us who have been following local politics, the reality is clear: Dunbar is being gentrified at an alarming rate, and the current Black elected officials, have done little to stop or even address the problem. The truth is, they don’t know how. They lack an understanding of the economic systems — particularly capital markets that drive this gentrification. It’s all well and good to have political titles, but unless you understand how economic policies work, especially in relation to real estate and the flow of capital, you are not equipped to represent the interests of the Black community effectively. This is a fact that cannot be ignored.
We have seen this played out time and again. Those in positions of power may have the titles, but they lack the practical knowledge of capital markets and public policy depth needed to leverage financial instruments to fight for the real needs of our people. I watched in awe as Terolyn Watson was at the press conference talking about how she played at the Southward Village as a kid and the new development that would replace it. What a joke on the residents of Dunbar. What about the $90 million dollars that was “a goal for minority participation in contracts.” Ok, let’s play devil’s advocate. Tobler gets $50 million to build the Elementary School, etc. etc. Hell that still leaves another $40 million dollars on the table that NO BUSINESS IN DUNBAR IS GETTING. Terolyn (Teresa, and Johnny) should have been focused on the money, but you can’t address what you don’t know. So how dumb do you have to be to see that you sat your @$$ on the city commission all these years and 90 million dollars is on your lap for the Dunbar Community. You didn’t even recognize it because you didn’t read the language in the policy. There is an old saying if you want to hide something from a “N-WORD” put it in writing, because a “N-WORD” is not going to read. Sadly, the other council members passed so much POOP in the collective representatives of Dunbar’s face to benefit their constituents and they are too ignorant to even realize it. READING IS FUNDAMENTAL.
The gentrification of Dunbar is just one example. Our neighborhoods, once vibrant with Black culture and history, are rapidly being transformed. We are losing our homes, our businesses, and our sense of community to outside developers who have no stake in the well-being of our residents. And yet, our elected officials—many of whom are Black — continue to fail us.
I will say this again because it cannot be overstated: unless you understand capital markets or are an attorney with a focus on property law, you cannot effectively serve as a representative for the Black community when it comes to issues like gentrification. These aren’t problems that can be solved with vague promises or rhetoric. They require a deep understanding of legal frameworks, financial systems, and how policy can be used to either protect or displace residents. Unfortunately, it seems that too many of our current leaders lack this knowledge, and as a result, our community is paying the price.
Dunbar, once a thriving hub for Black culture and excellence, is on the brink of being erased. The defeat of Jacquelyn McMiller in this election is just one more sign that we are losing our grip on the future of this community. The Black leadership that once fought for justice and equality has been replaced with ineffective figures who do not understand capital markets or public policy.
This is not just a political issue; it is a matter of survival for the Black community in Dunbar. We must demand more from our leaders—especially those who claim to represent us. We need leaders who understand the intricacies of economic and legal systems, who can advocate for policies that protect our community from gentrification and displacement. We need leaders who will not divide us but unite us in the pursuit of a better future.
Martin Byrd and Chantell Rhodes are two future leaders who have time to equip themselves and become knowledgeable so they can position contracts and first source hiring within the community to have an immediate impact on Dunbar.
Martin & Chantell prepare for the next election!
