Photo by Doug Coombe
“Ann Arbor needs leaders focused on making our city more affordable and equitable, improving basic services, and increasing resident confidence in our elected officials.”
— Ayesha Ghazi Edwin, Candidate for Ward 3 City Council
Photograph by Patrick Cook
WHY I’m Doing this
My family immigrated here when I was a toddler. As new immigrants, it wasn’t always easy for us, but Ann Arbor welcomed us with open arms. I’m lucky to call this diverse, inclusive city my hometown.
After living in other parts of the state and starting a family, my partner and I decided to move back to Ann Arbor to raise our children. I wanted to raise them in a city that values diversity and inclusion.
At the same time, our city’s cost of housing has become increasingly unaffordable, pushing out essential workers and others who make our community vibrant and unique. This results in commuters who live, vote, and spend their tax dollars someplace else. We have become one of the most economically segregated cities in the nation, and we are at a critical crossroads with climate change.
Ann Arbor needs leaders focused on improving our quality of life and making our city more affordable, equitable, and inclusive. I have a passion and drive for advocating for social policy that improves people's lives. I’ve used my graduate degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan, and Six Sigma from University of Michigan, to work in health equity, immigration reform, civil rights, labor rights, and disability justice. Today, I serve as the Deputy Director of Detroit Disability Power, and as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Michigan School of Social Work. I also serve as the Governor-appointed Chair of the Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission, and as an Ann Arbor Human Rights Commissioner.
As a councilmember, I will fight to make Ann Arbor a more equitable city for all!
I ran for City council because I believe it should never be so hard for working families to live and be successful here. I envision a city that:
Has excellent city services.
Addresses our affordable housing crisis head on, and allows our essential workers, like our nurses, teachers, service workers, among others, to live and be successful here.
Makes equity central to all that we do, including: supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, condemning anti-Semitism, anti-Asian American sentiment, Islamophobia, and hate of all kinds. Supporting our LGBTQ-community, and being a more than Welcoming City for our immigrant and refugee neighbors.
Welcomes and encourages civic engagement.
A place where our children can move back to - no matter what professions they choose.
Is focused on accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities.
A city where participating in the fight against climate change is not a luxury - but an option that every single resident has.