I'm a proud Nashville native with a dream to contribute to my hometown's vibrant culture and economy by operating my very own pedal bike company. Sadly, in 2018, I faced a significant barrier when I was denied the opportunity to start my business due to an alleged market saturation. This forced me to relocate my dreams elsewhere, even though Nashville is where my roots and heart belong. Since then i have bulit 8 years of experience in this industry and created  the worlds first HIP/HOP PARTY BIKE that's expanding through out the country. I now have interest from Houston, Saint Louis, Atlanta, Los Angeles and New Orleans . We now want to come back to Nashville the mecca of this pedal bike industry to bring our new urban way of doing this back home.

Nashville is renowned for its diverse cultural heritage and thriving business landscape, yet there is a noticeable lack of diversity, particularly in the ownership of pedal bike companies. As a person of color, it's disheartening to see that people like me are not fairly represented in such enterprises. Urban, inner-city, and local residents deserve to see businesses owned and operated by individuals who reflect the diversity of our community.

The city must encourage an inclusive entrepreneurial environment by levelling the playing field and granting permits that reflect its social fabric. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, African Americans make up approximately 28.4% of Nashville’s population, yet their representation in business ownership across various sectors remains disproportionately low.

Operating a pedal bike company will cultivate not only economic growth but also an enriched community experience. Think of the countless tourists and locals who would benefit from a diverse, locally-owned business that showcases Nashville’s true essence. This new enterprise would create jobs, foster understanding, and showcase the city’s support for diverse ownership.

I urge the local authorities to revisit zoning and commercial permits in Nashville to foster a more inclusive business opportunity landscape. Let us make room for diverse voices and visions that fuel our community’s progress.

Your signature on this petition could help break down the existing barriers and support a more inclusive and equal business environment in Nashville. Please sign and encourage others to do the same, so together, we can ensure that Nashville’s growth includes everyone.