About This Interview

Ward 2 Democrats Chair Howard Garrett and Communications Chair/ANC Commissioner Ben Dalley sit down with Dr. Oye Owolewa, a former ANC Commissioner and current DC Shadow Representative, for a conversation about his campaign for DC Council At-Large and his priorities for Ward 2 and the District of Columbia.

Owolewa opens by discussing his background, values, and public service experience, including his work representing DC residents, advocating for statehood, and engaging directly with communities across the city. He frames his campaign around practical solutions to issues affecting residents’ everyday lives, including employment, public safety, downtown recovery, healthcare access, youth opportunity, and education.

On public safety, Owolewa emphasizes evidence-based strategies rather than reactionary politics. He discusses the need to expand youth programming, improve basic safety systems, fix issues with the OUC call system, and invest in proactive measures that prevent violence before it happens. He connects public safety to opportunity, arguing that young people need access to constructive programs, jobs, education, and safe places to gather.

Owolewa also discusses Ward 2’s small business challenges and commercial vacancies. He proposes ideas such as a nonprofit commercial kitchen to help food entrepreneurs launch and grow, rent stabilization or rent assistance for small businesses, and stronger local hiring policies that connect DC residents to available jobs. He argues that reducing unemployment and strengthening small businesses should be part of the same economic development strategy.

The conversation also covers transportation, mobility, parks, libraries, public spaces, housing, homelessness, and tenant protections. Owolewa supports greater investment in buses and public transit, fare-free buses, traffic safety enforcement, and implementation of tools like the STEER Act. He also discusses activating public spaces through youth-driven programming, improving homelessness prevention, speeding up access to services, restoring tenant rights, and converting underused office space into housing.

In the final portion of the interview, Owolewa outlines measurable goals related to traffic safety, job creation, youth pathways, and college access, including his support for making UDC tuition-free. He closes by making the case that DC needs leadership focused on results, equity, and practical policies that improve quality of life for residents across all eight wards.

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome and Setup
Howard Garrett introduces the Ward 2 Democrats Candidate Interview Series and welcomes Dr. Oye Owolewa for a conversation focused on Ward 2 priorities and his campaign for DC Council At-Large.

00:53 – Meet the Candidate
Dr. Owolewa introduces himself as a former ANC Commissioner, current DC Shadow Representative, and candidate for At-Large Councilmember.

01:46 – Background and Values
Owolewa shares his background, public service experience, and values, including his commitment to representing DC residents, expanding opportunity, and addressing the practical issues affecting families, workers, and communities.

04:39 – Public Safety Plan
Owolewa discusses his approach to public safety, emphasizing evidence-based solutions, expanded youth programming, improvements to the OUC call system, and proactive steps to make neighborhoods safer.

07:05 – Small Business Revival
Owolewa addresses commercial vacancies and small business challenges in Ward 2. He discusses proposals including a nonprofit commercial kitchen, rent stabilization or assistance, and stronger local hiring to reduce unemployment and support neighborhood businesses.

09:40 – Transportation and Mobility
Owolewa discusses transportation priorities, including investment in buses and public transit, fare-free buses, safer streets, and enforcement of the STEER Act to improve accountability for dangerous driving.

11:41 – Parks, Libraries, and Youth
Owolewa talks about the importance of maintaining and activating parks, libraries, and public spaces, with a focus on youth-driven programming and creating safe, productive places for young people to gather.

14:27 – Housing and Homelessness
Owolewa outlines his approach to homelessness and housing instability, including prevention, faster access to services, office-to-housing conversions, and policies that help residents remain stably housed.

17:31 – Restoring Tenant Rights
Owolewa discusses the importance of restoring tenant protections, including TOPA rights, and ensuring residents have tools to remain in their homes and participate in decisions affecting their housing.

19:43 – Goals and Equity Vision
Owolewa shares specific priorities and measurable goals around traffic safety, employment, education, youth opportunity, and making UDC tuition-free. He connects these goals to a broader vision for equity and inclusive growth.

23:12 – Closing Pitch to Voters
Owolewa closes by making his case to Ward 2 voters, emphasizing practical leadership, citywide equity, and a focus on improving everyday life for DC residents.