Just over a month since the Commemoration of Life services were held for her husband Atlanta City Councilmember District 3 Ivory Lee Young, Jr., Shalise Steele-Young states she will run to continue his term, as he asked of her.

The special election to fill the seat for District 3, which includes representing key neighborhoods near the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, is set for March 19, 2019.

Deeply committed to human services and work opportunities, Shalise worked for the United Way, and was assigned as a loaned executive to various social service organizations throughout the city of Atlanta.  In addition, Shalise worked for both the Mayor's Office of Human Services under Mayor Kasim Reed as well as the Regional Commission on Homelessness founded by former Mayor Shirley Franklin. She is a licensed ordained minister and the Founder/Executive Director of the Repairer of the Breach International Ministries, a faith-based organization committed to the empowerment of low-income/homeless individuals and families.

For the past nine years, Shalise stood by Councilmember Young's side, the two working diligently to ensure equitable inclusion of the residents and stakeholders in the redevelopment on Atlanta's West side.

During a radio interview with WAOK's Rashad Richey last week, Shalise shared more about running to continue her husband's term:

"Ivory used to say to me, 'You can do this -- you should consider running for office.'

"I would laugh, 'Who, me? I'm a minister and a social worker.'

"But, this last time, as we were preparing for his stem cell transplant... he told me, 'Shalise, if things don't go as we hope, I want you to finish serving out my term on the City Council.'

"I'm running for District 3," Shalise affirmed, "to ensure the commitments Ivory made to District 3 residents are seen to fruition."

Richey asked her about the support she's been receiving -- and if there were those who were urging her not to run.

"Yes," Shalise acknowledged, "There are close people, friends who say, 'Are you sure you want to run?'  But Ivory told me, we work while we grieve. And my grief is my motivation."

She went on to share her concerns about others running who may not have the best interests of the residents and stakeholders -- a term Ivory used intentionally -- at heart.  

Shalise pointed out that in the past, others didn't want to touch the West side with a "ten foot pole". Ivory alongside other residents did the "heavy lifting".

"I question the intentions of others," she emphasized, "now that our District has upwards to a billion dollar investment, when there are other areas of Atlanta that have not received the level of attention that the West side has recently benefited from."  

Calling her campaign supporters the "Friends of Young to Young", Shalise is organizing her campaign and scheduling her launch for January 23rd, the day that she qualifies.

Areas of focus, she says, for District 3 include the following: public safety, affordable/workforce housing, clean communities, equitable resident participation, and the continuation of the work of Westside Revive.

Major campaign endorsements include Mr. Thomas Dortch, Chairman/CEO of TDW, Inc. and Chairman of 100 Black Men of America, as well as Fulton County Commissioner Natalie Hall and Civil Rights leader and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian.

"Ivory and I met around service," Shalise recalls. "Service  brought us together. And I pray that the residents of District 3 will allow me the opportunity to serve them for the next three years. It would be an honor."