Providence R.I. Mayoral Candidate Nirva LaFortune, Providence city councilor votenirva.com

I am Nirva LaFortune. I am an immigrant. I am a working mom. I am a City Councilwoman. And I am a product of Providence, this city that I love and am running to lead as Mayor.

When you grow up like I did—undocumented with eight family members in a one-bedroom apartment—there are some things you want to change.

When you've spent time as a homeless single mom, you know there are things that must change.
My family fled Haiti to escape the Duvalier dictatorship when I was three. Our single room on Dexter Street was our chance at safety, security and a better life for all of us. My father worked multiple jobs simultaneously before he and my mother became certified nursing assistants.
Nirva’s father in his skycap uniform on the way to work at the airport
My parents saved enough to buy a home, and they live in that same house 30 years later. My childhood taught me the importance of making every penny count, a lesson I carry with me each day as a single, working mom.
There were so many more childhood experiences that formed the core of who I am today.
Sitting in the basement of the Southside Cultural Center with my dad and other immigrants as they learned English taught me to work hard.
My Great-Uncle Saul’s tailor shop then on Messer Street tailor showed me local businesses are a part of our communities’ DNA and economic infrastructure. But when he sought help from city services to keep his shop open, he only encountered barriers and excuses.
Lessons of inequity and grit came courtesy of Grama Delamise, a Haitian-Cuban farmer and seamstress, and Grama Marthe, who didn’t move to the United States until she was in her 60s and helped raise me.
Grama Delamis never learned how to read and Grama Marthe never received a formal education, but they ensured their children went to school and supported other neighborhood children by sewing uniforms, sharing meals and providing kids a home when they had nowhere to go. They were the spark for me to pursue my education and help other students pursue theirs.
I earned a B.A. in Communications from Temple University and a Master's degree in Urban Education Policy from Brown University. The lifelong pursuit of my own education led me to higher education administration, a field I have been in for more than 15 years. I develop and oversee student programming; manage budgets; and create and execute staff development programs.
My dedication is not just to education.
I am a member of the Providence City Council. As the voice for the 3rd Ward, I have fought relentlessly for more resources in our children’s classrooms, more affordable housing, a clean and environmentally friendly city. I have worked – against the odds – to hold police accountable and build strong community-police relationships.
I attended Providence’s public schools: Pleasant View Elementary, Nathanael Greene Middle School, and Mount Pleasant High School. My son graduated from Classical High School, and my daughter is in middle school at PPSD.
Being a PPSD parent myself, I know the challenges faced by PPSD students and their families. School buildings are falling apart, understaffed, and lacking basic resources. And unfortunately, I also have experienced the challenges in navigating the special education process in order to access support services.
I am running, because like too many here in Providence, I know the life-changing effects of violence. Over 16 years ago, I lost my partner to gun violence - a bullet meant for someone else. I can still remember the call from his mother and the numbness that followed. No one should have to go through that.
I’m running for Mayor to tackle the challenges our City faces. We need strong and experienced leadership.
I am a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and am committed to public service. I volunteer in the community, mentor young people, and have served on various boards and coached little league soccer.
I will fight for safe and healthy communities for our families. For access to a quality education for all of our children. And for building affordable housing and to make Providence a City where everyone can live and afford to get around.
To be your Mayor, I need your help. Join #TeamNirva today!