Believe in Providence

Hi-

My name is Gonzalo Cuervo and I am running for Mayor of Providence.

I love Providence. It’s part of who I am. I was born here and became a community organizer on the South Side while still a teenager. In 1999, my wife and I purchased and restored our first home in Washington Park, where we raised our family. I have empowered residents, small business owners, and community organizations here to bring about change. I’ve run a small business on Broad Street, and I’ve worked at the highest levels of city and state government to improve people’s lives. In short, I have experienced Providence’s many opportunities and challenges first-hand.

My parents, immigrants from Colombia, believed in the importance of service and community. From an early age, I helped relatives, neighbors and friends navigate systems that were complicated and unwelcoming. Later, as a young adult, these experiences compelled me to play an active role in my community and help others whenever possible.

Today, Providence is rich in culture and creative energy. In every neighborhood, in our businesses and universities, we have hard-working, dedicated people. Visitors inevitably fall in love with our city. Yet for all of its strengths, for all the amazing things happening here, too many Providence residents have been left behind. Families barely making ends meet, unable to access the assets and opportunities that make our city so unique and attractive. Unable to realize their own remarkable potential. The pandemic has only highlighted these disparities, laying them bare and challenging us to quietly go back to the way things were before or take bold action.

It’s time to take action. That’s why I’m running for Mayor.

Every family in Providence – regardless of zip codes – should feel safe, live with dignity, and have the freedom and opportunity to pursue their dreams. Every family should have access to an affordable home – whether they rent or own.

Every child in Providence should receive the best public education possible. One that prepares them to expand their horizons and succeed in life regardless of the path they choose. An education in buildings that aren’t falling apart, in spaces that inspire creativity, and in classrooms led by effective and caring educators.

Every human in Providence should enjoy clean air and a sustainable green urban environment. Our waterfront city must play a leading role in the fight against climate change, while developing a local green economy that spurs sustainable development and good jobs.

Providence needs a mayor who believes that our city’s best days are ahead of us. A mayor who speaks from their own lived experience. A mayor who listens and who leads with vision, determination, and empathy.

This is what I will bring to the office. From growing up in a cramped triple decker apartment to organizing and empowering communities, to running a small business and a city, to successfully navigating state government.

When our city faced what many called a “Category 5 fiscal hurricane,” I worked hard as Chief of Staff to Mayor Angel Taveras to help our city avert bankruptcy and chart a path towards long-term sustainability. It was difficult work, yet my years of experience in city government had prepared me for the challenge.

As Deputy Secretary of State under Nellie Gorbea, I worked to modernize our election systems, enact unprecedented lobbying reform, and streamline the way RI businesses interact with their government. In 2020, when many questioned whether we would even be able to hold an election in the midst of a global pandemic, I was part of the team that organized a statewide election with the highest level of voter participation in years. I know how to get things done.

I’m running for Mayor because I believe in Providence.

Cities are more than just roads, buildings and budgets, they are communities of people. People with hopes and dreams. I believe in the people of Providence because I’ve walked alongside them for decades. I know that, together, we can build a Providence where equity, justice, and opportunity are more than aspirational talking points. A Providence where these guiding principles inform every decision that we make and everything that we do, from fixing potholes to creating affordable housing to reimagining the role of public safety.

Together, we will build a sustainable world-class city. A place that celebrates its creative energy and diversity while lifting thousands of families into the middle class and leading on the issues that matter most.

A Providence we can believe in.

I look forward to engaging with you in the coming months. Click on the links below to join our team, contribute, or contact me.

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