Vernon Walker
2023 Candidate for Cambridge City Council
Home address:
165 Main St, #1205
Cambridge, MA 02142
Contact information:
email: vernon@votevernon.org
phone: 617-800-9105
website: votevernon.org/
Twitter: twitter.com/mlkdreaming
Facebook: facebook.com/VernonKWalker/
Instagram: instagram.com/mlkdreaming
Send contributions to:
Committee to Elect Vernon K. Walker
PO Box 391098
Cambridge, MA 02139
New Candidate - 2023
Bio:
Rev. Vernon K. Walker received a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Organizational Leadership and a minor in Psychology from Penn State University. After graduating from Penn State University, Rev. Walker attended Boston University and earned a Master's degree in Theological Studies with a focus on community engagement. Rev. Walker is currently a graduate student pursuing a Master's degree in Public Policy at Tufts University. Vernon is a Senior Fellow at the Environmental Leadership Program. Vernon is also a Senior Fellow in the Emerging Leaders Program through the University of Massachusetts Boston's Center for Collaborative Leadership.
Vernon is the current Program Director of the Communities Responding to Extreme Weather (CREW) program. CREW office is located in Cambridge. CREW is a national leader in climate preparedness and works with organizations across the country in helping their communities prepare for extreme weather. Vernon Prior roles included serving as an Associate Pastor at a church in Dorchester, Case Manager at the Boston Rescue Mission, and Outreach Worker at Pine Street Inn.
Vernon's civic experience encompasses three distinct areas of engagement. In 2022, he joined the Charles River Watershed Association Advisory Board, demonstrating his commitment to the health and impact of the Charles River Watershed Association on Cambridge. Additionally, he was appointed by the city council to serve on the initial screening committee for Cambridge City Manager candidates. Furthermore, in June 2023, Vernon became a member of Cambridge's Hazard Mitigation Planning Team, playing a vital role in developing an effective plan to enhance the city's resiliency and safety in the face of natural hazards.
Top Priorities
Affordable Housing:
It is well known that Cambridge is suffering from a housing crisis fueled by a lack of affordable housing units. Two thirds of the city population are renters and the path to homeownership is difficult. I advocate expanding rental vouchers and homeownership assistance and I am eager to join the City Council to explore and implement my ideas.
Environmental Justice:
Climate change is the greatest existential threat to human and other species’ existence. Cambridge is not immune to climate change. This was demonstrated in July 2010 when the city experienced extensive flooding after 3.58 inches of rainfall fell in one hour during a summer storm. Climate Change is expected to bring more flooding and heatwaves to the city. Cambridge needs Councilors on the city council that have a background in climate resiliency work. We need City Councilors who will propose policy orders that will help prepare residents for the threats of the extreme weather the city will experience in the future.
Racial Justice
Currently there are no African American men on the Cambridge City Council, although the city population is 10.6% Black. There are the beginnings of a commission formed to support Black Men and boys, but this alone will not solve the inequities in Cambridge faced by black men. As a councilor, I will be a stalwart supporter of the commission's activities that include looking at how Black men are impacted by a range of issues, including housing, economic opportunity, education, incarceration, and public health. I will also support the creation of a commission to look at the range of issues that impact Black Women and girls in the city.
Organizational Endorsement
Greater Boston Labor Council
Run on Climate
Massachusetts Nurses Association
Environmental League of Massachusetts
Vernon K. Walker
Candidate for City Council
CCTV candidate video (2023)