Written By Jamie Naylor

I’ve often said that in some ways, everything is hospitality. Whether I was running a restaurant group at Kelter Crossing or helping a neighbor find a path out of homelessness at the Hospitality Hub, the core mission is the same: serving people with dignity and finding answers to their hardest questions.

When I talk about a "Fresh Start" for District 7, I’m talking about a return to professional, collaborative governance. The people of Shelby County are tired of the noise. They are tired of watching local government stall because of ego or "us-versus-them" politics. I know how to work with all sorts of people—from corporate executives to small business owners to families in crisis. I know that you don't get things done by going in with a rigid agenda; you get things done by going in informed.

My experience in both the private sector and the nonprofit world has prepared me for the most important role of a Commissioner: budget oversight. Every expense—whether it’s after-school programming, teacher support, or infrastructure—requires accountability. We need to know what a program is supposed to do, and we need the reporting tools to hold it to that standard.

But oversight doesn't have to be cold. It can be done with the heart of a neighbor. I see the hard work everyday Memphians put in, and they deserve a government that works just as hard. I am ready to bridge the gap between "the way it’s always been done" and "the way it should be." On Day 1, we aren't just changing a seat in the Commission; we are changing the culture of how we serve this county. Let’s get to work—together.