BY BTL STAFF
KALAMAZOO – Local community advocate and candidate for Kalamazoo City Commission, Shannon Sykes, will kick off her campaign on the Kalamazoo City Hall steps at 5:30 p.m., July 22; a rally in Bronson Park will follow. Afterwards, join Sykes for a barbecue and meet and greet at 226 Woodward Ave.
The Kalamazoo native is passionate about revitalizing neighborhoods, creating jobs and investing in quality education for all of Kalamazoo. Her advocacy work has spanned Kalamazoo to Detroit through her work as the vice president of the National Black Operations Business Association, Mothers Against Police Brutality and Western's Organization for Women and the PeaceJam Foundation. Sykes served as the African-American constituency director for Jon Hoadley for his State Representative campaign in 2014 and as the field director for the 2014 coordinated campaign in Kalamazoo.
She currently works as a social justice consultant who facilitates trainings for progressive organizations. In addition to her professional work, Sykes currently serves as a board member of CARES, an HIV/AIDS service organization in southwest Michigan, where she has served as treasurer and interim board president during her term.
"Kalamazoo needs a strong advocate on the City Commission who will work for all of us," Sykes said. "The City Commission has some tough decisions ahead, and I believe that my experience will lend itself well to making decisions that foster a sustainable city and economic and social equality for all residents."
State Rep. Jon Hoadley will introduce Sykes at the event. "I am proud to support Shannon Sykes for Kalamazoo City Commission," says Hoadley. "Shannon is a strong community advocate who will help make Kalamazoo a better place."
