2025 Candidate Profile: Shenise Turner-Sloss for Dayton Mayor
- RoShawn Winburn
- Apr 30
- 4 min read
Candidate Information
Full Name:
Shenise Turner-Sloss
Office Sought:
Mayor
Political Party (if applicable):
Non-Partisan
Campaign Website or Social Media (optional):
Email or Contact Info for Voters (optional):
Biographical Information
Current Occupation and Employer:
I am currently a Logistics Management Specialist with Wright Patt
Education (schools, degrees, certifications):
I hold a B.A. in Political Science from Fisk University, an M.S.A in General/Public Administration from Central Michigan University, certifications in city planning and GIS mapping, and over 15 years of experience in local and federal government.
Relevant Professional Experience:
I currently serve as a Dayton City Commissioner. I co-founded Neighborhoods Over Politics (NOP), a local training and advocacy non-profit dedicated to raising citizen participation and revitalizing neighborhoods. I previously worked with the City of Dayton in the Planning & Community Development Department as a Senior Community Development Specialist.
Public Service and Community Involvement:
I currently serve as a Dayton City Commissioner
Family (optional):
I am a wife, a mother of three children (ages 14, 10, and 8). My family enjoys reading together, playing games, outdoor recreational activities, volunteering, and participating in intramural and school-based extra curricular activities. In addition, we stay academically and civically engaged, by participating in community service clean-ups, campaign activities, and education initiatives.
Candidate Q&A
Why are you running for this office?
I know what it was like to be ignored by those in power, and that is why during every Commission meeting I stand alone in personally responding to every resident who voices concerns or asks questions, and I also follow up with them with additional information. Residents deserve a responsive government, and people must be informed in order for our City to function in the best interest of the people. Unfortunately, this has not always been the standard operating procedure in Dayton. That’s why I have worked to bring the back-room discussions into the public forum encourage participatory governing.
What are your top priorities if elected?
Putting Residents First through my “Block by Block” approach to revitalizing our neighborhoods and to beautify our communities by removing blight and debris.
Improving & Strengthening Business Relationships and Improving Conditions of Workers
Enhancing Public Safety
What qualifications, skills, or experiences make you the best candidate for this position?
I have leveraged my more than decade of experience in local and federal government logistics, community development, and program management to become successful in my role as a Logistics Management Specialist and in my role as a City of Dayton Commissioner. This took years of preparation and dedication to training, including as a former City of Dayton employee where I provided technical assistance in administering the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development federal funding programs, the community Development Block Grant, the HOME Investment Partnership Program, and the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. I have also earned certification in Life-Cycle Logistics, and I am a Housing Development Finance Professional.
What do you see as the most important issue facing [Community/County/State] right now, and how would you address it?
Limited funds with increasing needs dealing with mental illness, substance abuse, gun violence and housing disparities.
Investing and improving all of Dayton’s Neighborhoods, no matter what zip code.
Ending our housing crisis by providing opportunities for residents to become homeowners; holding slum lord property owners accountable and encouraging responsible tenants to uphold their end of the agreement. This means supporting property owners who want to provide decent affordable housing and protecting tenants who want clean, safe, and decent housing. We can also empower neighbors that contribute to the upkeep of vacant lots in their neighborhood.
Bringing vital healthcare services back to all communities through proper education, access to flagship preventative care and emergency services, and nearby specialist facilities.
Working with residents, businesses, and institutions on addressing public safety concerns through a holistic approach and enhancing public safety by investing in neighborhood watch and diversion programs to deter elicit behavior.
How would you engage with and remain accountable to the constituents you serve?
In my time as Commissioner, I have fought for a more transparent budget process that focused on the areas that residents consider important, especially in our housing crisis and in youth services. Together we successfully advocated for an additional $1 Million in funding for youth services and programming in the City budget. We were also successful in urging for a more deliberate and aggressive blight removal program, while committing the city to restoring and building additional housing units to address the housing crisis that so many residents are struggling with. We were also successful in passing the income tax renewal levy that passed with the support of 71% of Dayton voters and it is my strong belief that was because we worked together and forced funding for housing solutions to be an integrate part of the priorities. This is crucial funding that will support existing homeowners, new home owners, and renters through various improvement projects and programs. We drafted and passed legislation that resulted in the City’s first housing policy framework which would be a roadmap for beginning to address our housing crisis. Imagine what else we can do together to make Dayton a place where people are no longer surviving but are finally thriving, and where Dayton is a place that our neighborhoods are a safe place where people want to visit for recreation and entertainment, that nurtures those who are ready to start and grow a family, and to everyone to age comfortably in place without being displaced.
Is there anything else you’d like voters to know about you or your campaign? (optional).
As Dayton City Commissioner, I strongly believe that the gains that we have begun to make in Dayton have shown to be transformative, and creating a strong foundation towards our goal of building a better future for Dayton. Together, we have started to hold our elected officials accountable again by shining a light on the decisions that used to take place in the shadows, by posing difficult questions to those in power, and by voicing the concerns of our residents, businesses, and community stakeholders.
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