What makes a good leader? Someone who can find common ground with those they disagree with? A dogged champion who will do what must be done, no matter the cost? A person who can bring the best out of every individual on their team?
Reggie Williams Jr., Thomas Moore, Dr. Corinice Wilson and Mareo Johnson — four candidates hoping to be the next District 1 city councilor for north Tulsa — shared how they would serve in the role during a forum at Tulsa Community College’s northeast campus Thursday night.
The incumbent, Councilor Vanessa Hall-Harper, did not attend the event hosted by the Deep Greenwood Foundation. Her campaign manager, Kristi Williams, posted on social media July 10 publicly declining the invitation and explaining why Hall-Harper would not participate. The post said members of the Deep Greenwood Foundation board previously made “false and disparaging statements” about the councilor.
At Thursday’s forum, candidates were asked less about their policy ideas. Instead, the forum gave them the opportunity to talk about their leadership styles and how they would handle social media attacks, mend fractures in the community and avoid conflicts of interests if elected.
Johnson said a good leader must be flexible enough to adapt their styles — like a football coach.
“Every player is not the same,” Johnson said. “Every player may not agree with the coach. But then, you got to know how to communicate. You got to know which way to communicate with that person.”
Ultimately, Johnson said he doesn’t like “disagreements to hold up progress.”
For Moore, many of his leadership lessons came from his time managing a restaurant.
“My leadership has always been very collaborative,” Moore said. “If anybody doesn’t agree with me, then the first thing I try to do is figure out why because it’s usually not that we’re both stupid.”
Meet the candidates
Hear directly from the five candidates at The Oklahoma Eagle’s free forum, set for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 11 at 101 E. Archer St. Let us know you’re coming here, and find other candidate forums here.
Candidates were also asked how they would bridge divides between the Black Wall Street Chamber of Commerce and the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, which both serve north Tulsa.
Wilson harkened back to her experience in administrative positions and called herself “a proven collaborator.” She said if elected she would bring together members of both chambers for a conversation “on what the agenda for north Tulsa is” in the first three months of her term.
On the topic of avoiding conflicts of interests, Williams told voters that his sole focus would be the people he is meant to serve and not being “in anything that is in my business, to benefit me.”
“I want to be transparent. I want to be clear,” Williams said. “I don’t want anything to be considered ‘he’s looking out only for these people. He’s only doing this for these people.’ I want people from the town, from Tulsa. I welcome anybody to be a part of it.”
The municipal election is Aug. 25. The last day to register to vote is July 31.
