Cedar Rapids mayoral race can end business as usual

Cedar Rapids is living the lesson that every entrepreneur knows: resilience and perseverance are essential to work through tough times. I am continually inspired by stories of people coming together to help neighbors and I believe in a city where small businesses and corporations alike thrive with the support of local government and community. When we are aligned as a community, anything can happen.

I have been innovating for decades and in the last 20 years, I have seen the New Bohemia district transform from a neighborhood of dilapidated warehouses to a vibrant community center. We have all witnessed the possibilities when there is great leadership in place. In recent years, however, when most of our local businesses have struggled to stay open and many people continue to struggle to survive in the wake of the derecho and pandemic, we know Cedar Rapids can and must do better.

While I have challenged the status quo for years, and led positive change in our community, unfortunately this is not a good time for me to run for office. Instead, I will support another person who is immensely qualified and shares my vision for a better community.

For starters, we must ask ourselves: are we better off now than we were four years ago? For most of us - myself included - the answer is no. The economy has slowed, small businesses are struggling, and our government can't seem to figure out how to be there for the people when we need them most. From missteps with the New Bo Evolve event to the derecho, these epic disasters bookend a story of why Mayor Brad Hart has failed to deliver for Cedar Rapids.

We need leadership that will listen to us and is open to change. Instead, our highest ranked elected official continues to operate with a pattern that is dismissive of grassroots movements. When the rest of the country was working on equity with grassroots activists, the initial response from many Cedar Rapids leaders was outright rejection. This mentality needs to change.

Luckily, our city has the opportunity to change all of this and make history. With this upcoming municipal election in November, we have the chance to put an end to the business-as-usual style of politics, that only seems to benefit the wealthy and well-connected, and start a new chapter where the needs of ordinary people are put first. We have the chance to elect new, compassionate leaders who will be there for the people. This year, we have a chance to elect the first woman of color to lead this city. I would like to see Amara Andrews announce she is running for mayor. I can't think of anyone better positioned to lead our city.

I've known about Amara for a few years, but I really came to know her over the summer during a time when many of us were asking ourselves, what can we do to help so many of our neighbors who have been oppressed. Amara helped organize several community efforts to shine a light on systemic injustice and assist those most in need. She organized food drives, and voter registration opportunities. She helped young people find their voice, and she worked tirelessly during the aftermath of the derecho. She did all of this while taking care of her family and maintaining her role as a leader within a local family-run business.

Amara knows what working families in this community need, and she knows that, with proper leadership, our local government can do a much better job than it has done in delivering for the people.

She is a businesswoman, a mother, and a dedicated community leader. Her credentials are powerful, including an undergraduate degree from University of California at Berkeley and a JD from UCLA School of Law. Before relocating to Cedar Rapids with her family, Amara held several positions at the University of Illinois, where she developed an incubator program for startup companies, taught entrepreneurship, and advised MBA students.

It is my sincere hope that she enters the race for mayor, and that all of you support her. It's time for a change, and Amara can deliver. Let's make sure the person we elect represents us all.

Steve Shriver is founder/CEO of Eco Lips, Inc.