Standing with the 6th District.

I’m running for City Council because this is my community, and I’m ready to step up to lead our city into its next chapter by serving as a bridge builder who unites us, so we can collectively help Richmond be the city you and I know she can be.

After the death of my cousin, George Floyd, I was fully reinvigorated to bring us all together in a major way. 

Richmond has seen encouraging signs of economic growth and business investment. But far too many of our neighborhoods have been left behind, and communities are still being neglected.

We are the capital city, and we have the talent and resources to be the number one city in Virginia! For Richmond to move forward, we must do so together. There is no “us versus them.” We’re a community.  When one hurts, we all hurt.

We can address our infrastructure needs and support initiatives for attainable housing in the district while also improving the livability of our city by supporting the arts and making sure Richmond is a vibrant city in which to live and play.

We can empower our small business owners and entrepreneurs, who are the lifeblood of our great city, while also supporting law enforcement and taking a transformative approach to public safety, a process that will help ease the burden on our police department by addressing the mental health care needs of our most vulnerable and support other programs and resources that will make our communities safe. We can uplift our most vulnerable to help them find pathways to long term success. 

I call Richmond home, and the 6th district is my community!  I believe that the possibilities are endless for Richmond and the 6th District, and this can indeed be a great city to live, work, play, raise a family, and worship.

I grew up in the South, in a family that banded together, and instead of being statistics, they worked hard and defied the odds to become educators, lawyers, medical professionals, executives, ministers and business owners. I believe realizing who you are and living a life of purpose is achievable for everyone. 

I am convinced that Richmond's heart and soul are our great people in the 6th District and our beautiful neighborhoods.  That is why it is imperative for City Council always to remember to keep our people first and foremost while striving for continued growth and business investment. We can do both!

I look forward to earning your support and serving you as your next City Council representative for the 6th District. 

A lawyer, small business owner, lecturer, public servant and community advocate, Tavares has dedicated his life to helping others . Now, he wants to take it to another level to ensure all residents in the 6th district find it to be the best place in the City to live, work and play. 

Originally from Tennessee, Tavares' life has been steered by qualities implanted by his late parents. Growing up with a father that was a minister and public servant and a mother in the medical field, Tavares learned hard work, what it meant to embrace the community and be of service and to be kind to one another. 

Tavares' life work is serving people and standing up for justice and accountability no matter how big or powerful the competing interest.

For Tavares, running for Richmond City Council is personal. It's an opportunity to help Richmond reach its full potential, as the capital city, by tackling the hard problems impacting the city and to serve the community that has directly enriched his life over the past years.

Tavares is committed to seeing every neighborhood in the 6th district thrive - from Highland Park to Downtown to Shockoe Slip and the Business District to Manchester to Bellemeade and Oakgrove. He is focused on addressing public safety, transparency and accountability in City Hall, infrastructure and housing needs and supporting businesses in order to create strong economic growth.

His life's journey has afforded him the opportunity to most recently have served as the Richmond 6th District City Council Liaison/Chief of Staff for nearly 5 years. Tavares is also a lecturer at George Mason's Carter School for Peace & Conflict Resolution. Tavares served as Special Assistant to the Chief Programs Officer at Martha's Table in Washington, D.C. Tavares has had the chance to be a Special Advisor at the United States Department of Agriculture during the Obama Administration. He has worked on many campaigns -  local, state and national levels, to elect Democrats. Tavares served as the Law Clerk for the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus. Tavares helped spearhead Medicaid expansion in Louisiana - under the leadership of Governor John Bel Edwards.  Tavares was selected as a public service Legal Fellow for the Southern University System, Office of the General Counsel. He also has interned on Capitol Hill. 

A proponent of education, Tavares has received educational training from Christian Brothers University, American University, George Mason University and Southern University Law Center. 

Tavares comes from a large family and was raised by parents who dedicated their lives to serving others. The man he is today is due largely in part to the character that was developed as a result of his experiences in the community.

Tavares also dedicates countless hours serving his community through non-profit board service and various civic endeavors.  Appointed by Governor Ralph Northam, he serves as a Trustee on the Virginia Family and Children's Trust Fund. He is the Ward Chair for the Richmond City Democratic Committee for the 6th Ward. Tavares is Richmond Chair for the Metro Richmond Area Young Democrats. He has served on the national level for Young Democrats of America.  Tavares serves on the Board of Directors for New Leaders Council Virginia. Tavares is a member of the Southern University Alumni Federation. Tavares is a member of Phi Alpha Delta. He is also a member of 100 Black Men of America. Tavares has served as a member of the Richmond Metro Habitat for Humanity Young Professionals Board. 

Tavares is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. 

Tavares also previously served on several boards in the  beautiful city of Alexandria, VA, offering his service. He is also very proud to have served on the national level with organizations like the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, co-founded by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Tavares has received numerous awards to include: Fifth Street Baptist Church of Richmond, VA Community Advocate of the Year,  Alexandria, VA Chamber of Commerce Top 40 Under 40 Recipient, Southern University Law Center Intra-School Oral Argument Winner and the American Bar Association Judicial Clerkship Program. 

When he is not busy he cherishes exploring Richmond and discovering all that she is.