Cleveland’s Ward 1 covers the far southeast corner of the city, centered on the intersection of Lee Road and Harvard Avenue. Juanita O. Brent will face incumbent Joe Jones in the Nov. 4 general election.

Share a bit about your previous experience in elected office, government or community work.

2010-2018 Board of Trustee Member: Harvard Community Service Center

2019-present Ohio State Representative

What are the three most important issues facing the ward you want to represent?

1. Safety

2. Cleanliness

3. Connection to city services 

Council members have money set aside money from casino taxes and other sources to spend on neighborhood projects. How would you spend your share?

1. Lawn care program for Senior Citizens

2. Community Festival

3. Up-front money for business storefront renovation

4. Community Development Center

5. Youth programing 

As a council member, how would you input and feedback from residents you represent?

1. Knock on doors and ask for information

2. Town Halls

3. QR code on postcards

Affordable housing is a critical issue for Clevelanders. How do you define affordable? And what specific plans or ideas do you have to create more housing that working class Clevelanders can afford to rent or buy?

Affordable housing is when it is 30% to 40% of your total household income. Ways to increase the amount of down payment assistance programs. The majority of housing stock is older and needs to be renovated.

Clevelanders list public safety among their top concerns. The city has taken many approaches to prevent and respond to violence and make neighborhoods safer. How would you tackle this issue? Where should Cleveland City Council push for more investment?

1. Increase funding for reentry and job training for quality jobs

2. Youth programming

3. Street club incorporation

4. 311: Track the concerns and location of concerns

​​Should there be term limits for Cleveland City Council members?

No.

Council members act as resident service representatives, legislators and guardians of city spending. Which of these roles matter to you most and why?

The one that matters most to me is being a resident service representative—because at the end of the day, City Council is the level of government closest to the people. When residents call about a broken streetlight, trash pickup, or a safety concern, they’re trusting us to deliver results.

That role connects directly to my platform of building a Clean, Safe, and Connected Cleveland. If we respond quickly to service issues, we help keep neighborhoods clean. If we listen and act on residents’ concerns, we make our communities safer. And by staying connected to the people we represent, we ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and transparently.

To me, serving on council isn’t just about passing laws—it’s about being present, accessible, and accountable so every resident knows their voice is heard and their neighborhood matters.

Please share any other information you think is important for us to know about you and your campaign.

I am running for Cleveland City Council because Ward 1 is my home—it’s where I was raised, obtained my first job at the Harvard Community Service Center and sharpened my political skills as a field organizer. I have spent the past seven years bringing results from the Ohio House as a State Representative. I want to continue making a difference right here in my community on Cleveland City Council. I am focused on building stronger connections between residents and City Hall, making our neighborhoods safer, cleaner, and connected.

Candidate answers were edited for clarity. We took out responses that were off topic or included comments about opponents.

The following candidates did not advance past the September primary:

Share a bit about your previous experience in elected office, government or community work.

My previous experiences include and are not limited to the following: Former IRS Agent in the Intelligence Division and former commissioned Navy officer. As a naval officer, I worked at the Reagan White House assigned to the U.S. Surgeon General looking at the future of healthcare; I was a Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary, Health Affairs developing the beta programs and the forerunner to Tri-Care. As a civilian, I did work in the Clinton White House doing financial analysis and policy development for the Clinton Healthcare Plan. I was a City of Cleveland staff member titled Administrator, Cleveland Public Health Department. I represented Montgomery County, Maryland, as the Ryan White representative and developed an HIV/AIDS task force and served as the initial and Interim Director, Minority Health, Montgomery County, Maryland. Active in community organizations that address and support the betterment of Ward 1 residents. Appointed by the governor of Tennessee to two commissions, Tenn-Care Operational Improvements and Tenn-Care Health Plan Selections.

What are the three most important issues facing the ward you want to represent?

1. The most prevailing issue facing Ward 1 residents is safety in the community and their homes.

2. There are immediate issues with sustainability for homeowners. These issues are impacting middle and of course senior aged residents maintaining their properties. There are also issues with renters’ rights. As it pertains to renters’ rights, rental properties are being sold and the current renters’ leases are not being enforced. Rent payments are being increased and/or terminated.  

3. There must be better and reasonably constrained and well-planned strategic development well beyond bars and gas stations, along with improving the streetscape in the commercial districts throughout Ward 1. One of my goals is to bring professional services to the ward. These professional services include attorneys, accountants and a variety of healthcare service professionals.

Council members have money set aside from casino taxes and other sources to spend on neighborhood projects. How would you spend your share?

First, it is important to inform the residents on the amount of their casino funds on a quarterly basis. I would present to the residents that my primary goal is to allocate these funds to residents that might be in need of assistance for installation cost of, say, an alarm system or a walk-in shower, accomplished by application and based upon need. Further, these funds could be used in support of not-for-profit organizations (501c3), such as the Harvard Community Services Center, or other not-for-profit entities that are providing proven added necessary services to the Ward 1 residents.

As a council member, how would you gather input and feedback from residents you represent?

I would have regular Ward 1 meetings, which would be rotated in different locations throughout the ward to accommodate all residents. I would mail to all residents on a quarterly basis a ward newsletter. I would have ward office hours for residents to listen and discuss their concerns. I would make myself available to attend and visit all the schools to develop a connection with young residents within Ward 1. I would schedule and attend block and street club meetings. I would also help residents to establish block and street clubs. Weather permitting, I would have informal porch gatherings. I would encourage all residents to attend council committee and the Monday Body of the Whole meetings so that residents could see, hear and have a better understanding of how their government works.

Affordable housing is a critical issue for Clevelanders. How do you define affordable? And what specific plans or ideas do you have to create more housing that working class Clevelanders can afford to rent or buy?

First and more importantly, the term is relative to who is in the room and more so the current state of the local economy in totality. My definition of “affordable housing” is what the current median income of the residents in Cleveland can afford. More often than not, the term bantered by the current council members and with developer concurrence is market rate homes versus community rate homes and apartments. 

Keep in mind that Cleveland is ranked as the 1st or 2nd poorest urban city in America, depending upon when the report is being reviewed. Therefore, to assist in the overall reduction of home and rental prices, the city must rethink giving immediate tax abatement to developers while considering affording tax abatement to homebuyers. An additional consideration is for the city to become an underwriter for prospective home buyers with down payment assistance and/or tax abatement for a limited 5-year timeframe. 

As it pertains to rental assistance, I would recommend legislation to permit tax abatement to developers of apartments if they would affix a flat rate of rent to individuals that is based upon the number of years of the abatement being agreed upon by the city. Built into this program is an income stratified scale. The primary premise is to make these rental units available to individuals who fall below and within the median income level in Cleveland.  

Clevelanders list public safety among their top concerns. The city has taken many approaches to prevent and respond to violence and make neighborhoods safer. How would you tackle this issue? Where should Cleveland City Council push for more investment?

The most important variable that ward residents discuss and request is to be safe. There must be an acknowledgement that Cleveland has a current and developing gang problem, along with not having enough police officers on patrol. 

First, the CPD must provide the actual officers in zone cars on each shift. The total number of police officers which is often given and accepted has some relevance, but that number includes the command staff, specialized units such as the detectives, SWAT, evidence technicians, etc. I and the residents need to know the number of officers staffing zone cars during each 12-hour shift. 

This is the number of officers that should be determined that the city should be recruiting towards, inclusive of those officers that retire or transfer to other cities, etc. This is the basic investment. 

To add upon this investment, retention programs must be enhanced. Recruitment programs must be improved, developed and implemented. The overall culture within the department from the dispatchers to the patrol officers through the command staff must be addressed. When these and other viable programs are presented with measurable outcomes, I and other council members should fund these efforts. These programs must be monitored and assessed by council on a quarterly basis by the Safety Committee to determine the successes and obstacles with the funded programs.

There are other efforts that can be utilized such as violence interrupters. These interrupters should be making school visits at all educational levels. Additionally, the gang unit should become more visible and be introduced to CMSD students. I would also put forward funding to have a much more active Community Dispute and Mediation program in each ward and in CMSD schools. These programs have been found to be effective in addressing and reducing the violence in other cities. 

​​Should there be term limits for Cleveland City Council members?

Yes.

Council members act as resident service representatives, legislators and guardians of city spending. Which of these roles matter to you most and why?

All three roles are critical and cannot be separated. I think tantamount to the three roles is a council member who is a public servant first. I then think that a council member must be a guardian or fiduciary of the citizens’ funds. I then would be a legislator and a resident service representative. It’s important that I as a council member engage the residents and teach them how to benefit and utilize the city services for which they are paying. This can be done by having them, for example, call the 311 number to obtain trash and recycling carts and to report other issues. If the ward or other city residents do not receive the adequate or appropriate services, I will become their strong advocate and very vocal service representative within city hall.

Please share any other information you think is important for us to know about you and your campaign.

During my campaign and listening to and talking with ward residents, they have shared with me that they are very disappointed and tired of being ignored. Several of the residents have voiced their concerns that everything is focused upon the Lee-Harvard area. My campaign encompasses “Bridging the Community.” Ward 1 encompasses a section of Mt. Pleasant, Lee Seville, and many other communities. My goal is to unite Ward 1. There are certain communities/neighborhoods within the ward that are in need of more attention than others. We must begin to think not as individuals but as a united community.  We must become one Ward 1.

Share a bit about your previous experience in elected office, government or community work.

I have no experience in an elected office; however, my wife and I started and created a program called “Just Like Us Enrichment Center.” This program worked extensively with individuals who were coming home from prison and individuals who could not find meaningful employment, helping them to find employment and to navigate the re-entry process. Just Like Us was a premier program that supported and helped individuals and families. I believe that the work done in this program has given me the experience and the talents needed to understand, support, direct, and build a better Ward 1 community.

What are the three most important issues facing the ward you want to represent?

The three most pressing issues facing our community today are: a Lack of Community Leadership, a Lack of recreation programs for children, and a Lack of Community Mentors. I believe that these three Lacks are needed to build a better community.

Council members have money set aside money from casino taxes and other sources to spend on neighborhood projects. How would you spend your share?

I would utilize the money based on the needs of the community and the dire needs of the families living within the community. As I walk through Ward 1 there are so many areas that need a lot. I will work with my precinct leaders, street club presidents and others to determine how the money will be better spent.

As a council member, how would you input and feedback from residents you represent?

As a council member, I would utilize the system the way it was designed when I first moved into the area. I would make sure that my elected precinct persons have monthly meetings with street club presidents, and every month, we will sit down and discuss the concerns of the residents in each of the areas that they live in. I will also be open to communicating with residents as needed, and I will have monthly meetings in each of the areas located in my Ward.

Affordable housing is a critical issue for Clevelanders. How do you define affordable? And what specific plans or ideas do you have to create more housing that working class Clevelanders can afford to rent or buy?

Affordable housing to me is a house that you can afford to live in and is not beyond your means. Many of the houses in Ward 1 are vacant. I will work with owners of vacant houses to negotiate affordable rent for those who want to move into the area so that the property is not vacant. 

Clevelanders list public safety among their top concerns. The city has taken many approaches to prevent and respond to violence and make neighborhoods safer. How would you tackle this issue? Where should  City Council should push for more investment?

Public Safety will also be one of my top concerns and priorities. I will post on all entrance points of the community signs that stipulate what is intolerable in the community along with what to expect if you violate any acts on the sign. Cameras will be stationed in an unidentifiable space to capture license plates and individuals who are committing these crimes.

Should there be term limits for Cleveland City Council members?

Yes.

Council members can act as customer service representatives, legislators and guardians of city spending. Which of these roles matter to you most and why?

The role of resident service representatives matters to me most because I believe that I am here for the people and that all the people deserve to be heard. I want to listen to my residents, implement what we agree upon and agree with community standards that will be agreed upon by all. Everyone will be informed in our community.

Please share any other information you think is important for us to know about you and your campaign.

I want to see a viable community where children can walk the streets laughing and getting to know each other. I want to see a community where the elderly feel safe and respected in their community, and I believe that all of the residents should feel welcome in our community. This is My Community. This is Where I Want to Be!!!

Share a bit about your previous experience in elected office, government or community work.

I am a passionate advocate, dedicated community organizer, and entrepreneur with a bold spirit and a heart for service. Since 2013, my husband and I have co-founded and operated Community Living Assistance Support Services, where we’ve provided supportive housing, mental health advocacy, and money management assistance for individuals across Northeast Ohio. Our mission is rooted in creating safe, stable environments that foster healing, empowerment, and personal growth.

Currently, I serve as the Block Club President for Miles Heights in the Village and am an active member of the Cosero and Lee-Seville Block Clubs. I am honored to serve on the Black Women’s Commission of Cuyahoga County/Women’s Commission for Education and Training (BWCCC/WCET), and I am proud to be part of the People’s Budget Cleveland (PB CLE) selection and steering committee—working to bring transparency and equity to city spending. I also lead as a gardener in The Village Garden, promoting food justice and neighborhood beautification.

What are the three most important issues facing the ward you want to represent?

1. Improving Public Safety: My passion for my community fuels my efforts to improve public safety, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively and fostering strong partnerships with law enforcement and community organizations.

2. Managing City Services & Infrastructure: With my practical approach to everyday life and my experience in managing resources, I will uniquely improve and manage city services and infrastructure to meet the needs of the community.

3. Advocating for Residents: I have deep empathy and unwavering commitment to service. I am a strong advocate for the residents, ensuring their voices are heard, their needs are met, and they are represented at the highest level of city government.

Council members have money set aside money from casino taxes and other sources to spend on neighborhood projects. How would you spend your share?

Supporting Economic & Community Development: As an advocate for the well-being of my community, I will champion initiatives that support local businesses, job creation and long-term community development, fostering prosperity for all.

As a council member, how would you gather input and feedback from residents you represent?

I will gather input and feedback with methods such as: Surveys, Social media polls, Online forums, Community Events, door-to-door canvassing, and town hall meetings.

Affordable housing is a critical issue for Clevelanders. How do you define affordable? And what specific plans or ideas do you have to create more housing that working class Clevelanders can afford to rent or buy?

Affordable housing is reasonably priced housing for low- to moderate-income individuals or families.  

My ideal plan consists of utilizing programs such as Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Cleveland, Cuyahoga County down payment assistance and FHA loans. Also, Housing Assistance Programs and more centralized involvement with Rent to Own Programs.

Clevelanders list public safety among their top concerns. The city has taken many approaches to prevent and respond to violence and make neighborhoods safer. How would you tackle this issue? Where should Cleveland City Council push for more investment?

Public safety is about prevention and preparedness. I will address the root causes of crime and work closely with EMS, Firefighters, Law Enforcement and Housing & Development. City Council should push for equity-driven development, especially in neighborhoods that have been historically disinvested, such as those suffering from high poverty and housing abandonment.

​​Should there be term limits for Cleveland City Council members?

Yes. 

Council members act as resident service representatives, legislators and guardians of city spending. Which of these roles matter to you most and why?

In a perfect world, all 3 matter equally, My No. 1 choice:  Acting as resident service representative. After all, we work for the people!

Please share any other information you think is important for us to know about you and your campaign.

My community involvement extends beyond policy and programming. I’ve volunteered as a basketball coach for Shaker Heights Recreation, a track assistant coach for CYO Sports, and proudly serve as a team mom through my son’s athletic journey. My natural ability to connect with others, coupled with strong communication skills and a fierce commitment to accountability, guides everything I do.

Above all, I am driven by love—for my people, my family, and my city. As your next City Councilwoman, I will be a bold voice for equity, access and action. I believe every resident deserves to live in a safe, thriving community with a representative who truly sees, hears and fights for them.