Amini Elizabeth Bonane Runs For Fairfax City Council: 2024 Profile

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Your Name

Amini Elizabeth Bonane

Position sought

City Council

Age (as of Election Day)

Twenty-Fine

Campaign Website

Aminiforfairfax.com

City elections are traditionally non-partisan and candidates must run as independents, according to both the city charter and the Code of Virginia. No party affiliation or “mark” will appear next to any of the candidates’ names on the Nov. 5 ballot. Have you been endorsed by a recognized political party or have you aligned yourself with a group of candidates representing themselves as independent, non-partisan candidates, including candidates running in other city races? Please check the answer that is most appropriate.

Please elaborate on your answer to the previous question and explain how this will affect the way you will serve on the city council.

At the DNC in Chicago last month, I had the honor and privilege of witnessing former first lady Michelle Obama say “Look, I don’t care how you identify politically -whether you’re a Democrat, Republican, Independent, or none of the above. This is our time to stand up for what we know in our hearts is right. To stand up, not just for our basic freedoms but for decency and humanity; for basic respect, dignity, and empathy; for the values at the very foundation of this democracy.” I stand by her statement with every fiber of my being. I understand not being endorsed or funded by either slate makes me the underdog, but the City of Fairfax is worth fighting for. I’m willing to work with anyone willing to join me in the fight for our right to a safe, affordable, sustainable Fairfax, period. My campaign, like my service on council if elected, will be rooted in positivity, honesty, and transparency because my hometown deserves heart-centered leadership. As Chair of the City of Fairfax Homelessness Task Force I stayed open minded, amplified the questions and concerns of residents, and treated everyone with respect, regardless of whether we agreed or disagreed ideologically. As your homegrown councilwoman, I will continue to listen to understand, connect, and empathize. I will remain mindful, approachable, and most importantly — accountable.

How does your status as described in the two previous questions help Fairfax City voters choose a candidate that aligns with their particular political beliefs?

Fairfax City Voters should #VoteInformed. To vote informed, people should be presented with the full slate of candidates. I commend platforms like Patch, and non-partisan organizations like the League of Women Voters for allowing voters to see what every candidate has to offer without taking away voters’ rights to decide for themselves. It’s up to each candidate to showcase their political beliefs, affiliations, and their commitment to serving our community before an election. I’m an active young Democrat, but that doesn’t mean I’m running for city council with ulterior motives to push a partisan agenda. I’m running because I genuinely care about the well-being of all living beings in the City of Fairfax. When I say all living beings, I mean ALL — from the salamanders in our creeks to the children playing in our parks, to our seniors aging in place. If elected, my vote is going to be in favor of what’s best for them. As a former refugee, I stand proudly today as an American shaped by Democratic values of protecting the environment, making life better for families, and bodily autonomy, and making room at the decision-making table for people from ALL walks of life.

Names, ages and any pertinent details you wish to share about your family.

N/A

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you are a candidate in.

N/A

Education

I am a humble recipient of the 2023 Pride Network Transformational Leadership Social Impact Grant, and was selected in 2022 to lead the DMV region as an Ignite National Dr. Anne Moses Fellow. My post-graduate credentials in Business Communications and Public Leadership are from Harvard University. As a Non-Profit fellow at George Mason University, I studied Finance, Philosophy, and Law, with a concentration in Organizational Management and earned a certificate in Paralegal Studies. I earned my Associate of Science Degree in Business Administration from RBC of William and Mary. Lastly, I am a proud graduate of the Sorensen Institute For Political Leadership at UVA and The Campaign School at Yale.

Occupation – Please include years of experience.

I am a CS professional with 10 years of experience in client-facing project management roles. My 9-5 is being an Enterprise Account Manager in the civic technology industry, serving clients all over the world: from young leaders, to seasoned ones heading political parties, international networks, Top 100 charities, and Fortune 500 companies. My 5-9 is being the passionate founder and Chief Empowerment Officer of Brains Then Beauty, a civic organization I created in 2018 that supports the academic, professional, and personal development of marginalized students through service projects, peer mentorship, and leadership training. Fun fact: we successfully had Black Immigrant Women & Girl’s Day officially recognized earlier this year across PG County, MD.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Political Office

Appointed by Mayor & Council then unanimously elected to chair the City of Fairfax Homelessness Task Force • Elected to the Executive Board of my Rotary Club as Community Service Chair • NAACP Housing Committee Member • Juneteenth Planning Committee Co-Chair • Just recently appointed to be a representative on the City of Fairfax Police Chief Advisory Board

Why are you seeking elective office?

While we’ve made tremendous breakthroughs researching city-specific data (s/o to Jim Gillespie in Daniels Run, Grace Francis in Green Acres, and Lesley Hatch in Great Oaks), there’s still a lot of work to be done for residents to feel the changes being implemented. I’ve spent the last year and a half year quietly working to end homelessness in the City of Fairfax, but now I need the voting power to ensure the implementation of the 38 recommendations my colleagues and I spent countless hours working late into the night to create. An extremely crucial part of this work will be keeping the 24,000+ city residents informed each step of the way. For example, our very own hometown hero Kelly O’Brien does a phenomenal job of keeping the members of Fairfax 411 informed, but she’s a working mom, wife, and volunteer community leader who shouldn’t have to feel that pressure to post daily, on top of all her commitments. Let’s also try to leverage the amazing neighborhood associations and establish direct lines of contact with HOA Presidents and building managers.

There’s so much more I could share from my extensive executive & volunteer experience, but I’ll sum up my priorities in 3 bullets:

As a young person, I have a long-term invested interest in the following goals of our strategic plan: preservation and protection of our community’s natural, cultural, and historical resources, maintaining a high quality of life for residents through community engagement, connectivity, safety nets for those in need, the prioritization of pedestrians, and lastly the long-term fiscal health of our city being governed by the people who live and work here.

The single most pressing issue facing voters is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

It’s a tie between Safety & Housing

I remember a time when it was fine if you forgot to lock your car doors every once in awhile. Now many residents live in fear that they will be next to file a police report. Community-wide letters are now filled with warnings, instead of just seasons greetings. The uptick in crime is a sign of a system that is broken. People turn to crime to survive, but we can deter delinquency by providing a way out. If elected, I will partner with law enforcement & lawmakers on a preventative approach. We will make education accessible, support the City Jobs program, and research recidivism to take action against it — all while protecting the most vulnerable members of our community.

As a resident of an “affordable” housing unit, I’ve had to work multiple jobs at once to keep a roof over my head. After taxes, the bi-weekly paycheck from my full-time job still required me to pick up part-time shifts as a host at Artie’s or as a Deli Clerk at Giant. All while balancing school, community involvement, and taking care of my family. I consider myself lucky because across the street my neighbor overcame so much adversity to stay afloat. Read her story in her own words. “The only reason I can live/own in Fairfax City is I bought a 2BR/1BA condo built in the 1960s in foreclosure and “locked in” my mortgage rate/payment in 2015. I still have to pay PMI because refinancing now would give me a much higher interest rate and wouldn’t be worth it. There is NO place in the city I can buy as a single-income household that I am aware of with my current income, despite my excellent credit, work history, etc. If I had to move tomorrow, I probably wouldn’t be able to rent (given the prices) either. Yet, I am a community volunteer, an environmental educator, etc. People like me are getting pushed out. Feel free to share my personal story/anecdote because more people need to know that we simply DON’T have affordable options. And many salaries/wages for city positions don’t allow for those same people to live in the city (again, assuming single income/small apt status). The math needs to math.” I couldn’t agree more with her. Here’s another resident story “The average median income is about 125,000 which means those people can afford a 500,000 home. I haven’t found any home with that price new or used. It’s a shame this is happening in our city. I am a homeowner and purchased over 30 years ago. My 26 y/o daughter would love to purchase or rent here in the city however she cannot afford it or even rent it. That’s another problem as well. Just seems like we are pushing low-middle incomes out of the city.” So tell me, how is it that three people with completely different backgrounds all seem to have the same story? It’s because we need to give power back to the people who built this city brick by brick. Instead of a general affordable housing umbrella, let’s get serious about life-cycle housing. Life cycle housing gives options to entry-level renters, move-up renters, first-time homebuyers, move-up homebuyers, empty-nesters, never-nesters, young independent seniors, and older seniors in need of care.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am the 1st and only Fairfax Circle resident running for a voting seat on the dais. From the flooding to the pricing out of single-income households, Fairfax Circle is the epicenter of the consequences of decisions being made without lived experience at the table. This can change in an instant Sept 20-Nov 5, if you fill in the 4th bubble on your ballot that says “Amini Elizabeth Bonane”, under Member City Council.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

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I wouldn’t say failed — it takes guts to be an elected official, but it would be nice to see more transparency around the advertisement of appointments to boards & commissions, more effort toward consensus, and a harder push for community input in the early stages of project proposals.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

My campaign is dedicated to genuinely supporting what makes the City of Fairfax the best small town in America: our residents, businesses, and visitors. Instead of making empty promises, I am committed to a collaborative framework that truly benefits these vital stakeholders.

City Residents
As the hometown candidate, I am deeply invested in the well-being of city residents. We’re uniquely positioned to keep our small-town feel while reaping the benefits of being located right next to our nation’s capital, and Virginia’s largest public research university. Growth shouldn’t come at the expense of our trees, traffic, or affordability. If it wasn’t for the kindness of my neighbors, I don’t know where I would be today. As your friendly neighborhood councilwoman, I look forward to repaying you for that kindness by

City Businesses
As a Harvard-certified expert in business communications, I am a fierce defender of the entrepreneurial spirit. I am also a proud founder & alum of the Mason Summer Entrepreneurship Accelerator program. Our city is so lucky to have a wide range of entrepreneurial endeavors including women-owned businesses, family-owned shops, and international franchises. We must invest in the Economic Development Authority to continue delivering on its record of success, with innovative business support programs, and strategic business investments. The City of Fairfax deserves business-savvy council members who will:

City Visitors
The City of Fairfax has a unique opportunity to become the premier destination for fellow lovers of history, art, and culture. As the region becomes more diverse, we need opportunities for shared experiences. We are united by our shared values of family, freedom, and equality. These values extend to our event attendees, employees, and students. No matter what happens on Nov. 5th, I will work with whomever the people choose to:

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job

I love Fairfax City. Plain and simple. No hidden agenda. No puppet strings. 100% powered by the people, for the people.

I’ve also received some fancy awards for my work for the last 6 consecutive years including:

The best advice ever shared with me was

“You don’t have to join every fight you’re invited to”

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a heart-centered leader, especially when it comes to kids. If I’ve earned your vote, before you even fill in the bubble next to my name, please vote “Yes” on the School Bond Referendum. Thank you.

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