People Powered Flint has organized a mayoral panel series of three different panels for the candidates running for the mayor of Flint. On May 27, two out of the four candidates, Micaiah Owens and Rashonda Womack, attended the first panel and answered questions from the public.
PPF is a volunteer-based political coalition that performs civic action, canvassing and informs local Flint communities about ballot initiatives.
The panel was hosted by Brandi Purtill, coalition member of PPF, and was co-moderated by Liz Petrie and Jaquindre Brown, who works as an administrative support clerk for the city of Flint mayor’s office, and both of whom are activists for civic engagement in Flint.
Petrie promoted the panel and live-streamed it on their TikTok page (@The Momrade). The panel was held at the Higher Quality of Life Ministries Vision Center, located in Flint, on Saginaw Street.
The evening was filled with topics ranging from how the candidates would go about addressing homelessness to how the city could better support small businesses under their leadership. The panel was also livestreamed on PPF’s YouTube channel.
Micaiah Owens is a municipal attorney and former carpenter from southwest Michigan. Owens said his platform is focused on “jobs, safety and beauty through teamwork and transparency”.
At the panel, Owens proposed the need for multiple audits regarding the alleged misuse of American Rescue Plan Act funds provided by the federal government after the COVID-19 pandemic. Owens said he intends to have monthly town hall meetings for the public and provide Flint residents an open environment for communication with city officials.
“Let the people speak.” Owens said, “Let the people vent. They have a right to be heard; you are hired by them.”
Jaquindre Brown (left), Liz Petrie (left), Roshanda Womack (left), Micaiah Owens (right), Brandi Purtill (right). Photo taken on May 27 at High Quality of Life Ministries Vision Center in Flint. Andres Ochoa/MTimes 
Roshanda Womack (left) answering a question from the public as Micaiah Owens (right) takes notes. Photo taken on May 27 Higher Quality of Life Ministries Vision Center in Flint. Andres Ochoa/MTimes. 
Micaiah Owens (left) answering a question from the public as Roshanda Womack (right) waits for her turn to answer. Photo taken on May 27 Higher Quality of Life Ministries Vision Center in Flint. Andres Ochoa/MTimes.
Roshanda Womack is a Flint native and a pastor, counselor and literary storyteller. Womack said her platform is focused on “transparency, integrity and unity.”
Womack said her goal is to help revitalize Flint through people coming together and working together towards common goals. Womack said she hopes to work with local community organizations that study public health and social determinants of health to implement programs that address social inequities.
“Economics are a key factor,” Womack said. “If people don’t have living wages, they don’t have hope, they become desperate and that breeds more violence.”
Tonya Burns and Sheldon Neely were unable to attend. Putrill said that Neely and Burns were informed of the event through official channels by PPF, with little to no response from either candidate.
Burns was initially confirmed to be attending hours before the event in an Instagram post by PPF.
Petrie said in a post on their TikTok page (@The Momrade) that Burns was unable to attend due to miscommunication.
The incumbent for the race, Neely, was elected Mayor of Flint in 2019. Burns has been a member of the Flint City Council for the 6th ward since November 2021.
Flint Resident Jordan Johnson said it was a matter of civic duty to attend the event and that she appreciates that there will be more panels in the future.
“I think it’s my duty — my due diligence — to hear out the people that are going to be essentially stewarding my city,” Johnson said. “I love that it’s a series, so it’s like you can build on and listen to one conversation and then come back with better questions or better insight.”
The next panel will be at the McCree Theatre, located in Flint off Clio Road, on June 25 at 6 pm. The final panel will have a debate-style segment and will be held at Kew’s Korner, located in Flint off of Saginaw Street, on July 25 at 2 pm.
