Colors Magazine would like to congratulate the two newest members to Roanoke City Council – Vice Mayor Joe Cobb and Council Woman Djuna Osborne. As winners in the May 1 election, they will service for the next four years. We wish them much success as they work to help initiate change for the betterment of the City of Roanoke. Collectively, they want to improve the communication between the community and council. That, they say, can happen by becoming more transparent about what is going on behind the scenes, particularly as it relates to the tough decisions needed for progress. Further, they are pressing for accessibility to the community through community meetings and continuing to go out into the neighborhoods, businesses and places of worship to meet with the people. Although the campaign is over, the work needed to reach out into the community is never finished. They both equally support improving public transportation in the city. They plan to push for the implementation of new routes with longer shifts and a safe transit hub location. “Expanding the transit options is important,” says Cobb, “we want to make transportation accessible regionally by expanding the transportation options to the adjoining communities.” Both Osborne and Cobb have a passion for community that goes far beyond politics.
Cobb, 55, received the most votes during the election, therefore earning the position of vice mayor. He will hold the title until the council election in two years. Cobb, a member of the clergy, plans to explore public safety in education. Keeping the school system strong and safe is something he sees as a pressing issue that will lead to an enhanced learning environment for students. He also will continue to work with nonprofits to bring awareness to domestic violence, gun violence, job insecurity and housing instability. With increased awareness, he seeks to find ways to reduce homelessness and poverty by helping children, youth and adults alike to thrive in their environments. One of the ways he plans to implement these changes is through efforts to close the employment gap in the region.
He will focus on developing a partnership with Virginia Western Community College that allows high school students to attend to obtain an associate’s degree along with their high school diploma. Further, he plans to coordinate a partnership with Carilion School of Medicine to help bridge the gaps in employment in the area. Diversity also a priority for Cobb. As a homosexual male, Cobb says he has faced a lot of discrimination since “coming out.” Suffering discrimination helped him to understand what others who face discriminate endure. He says he can now empathize with others who face discrimination because of race, culture, social status or disability. Another goal is to visit people where they work, live, play and most importantly, worship. Where people worship is where they receive a lot of their information about life and well-being and it is a great way to connect and come to common ground with one another. He wants to engage council members in serious discussions about diversity His desire is to “always display the core values of love and remain humble regardless of what I agree or disagree with, because these are the most important characteristics to resemble – to put forth our best effort to make an impact on the lives of others.”
Osborne, 42, currently is busy meeting with fellow council members and people in the community as she lays groundwork to discover changes needed to advance Roanoke. “I expect to do what I said,” says Osborne. She is adamant about keeping her promises made during the campaign. Therefore, she intends to continue to reach out to all neighborhoods and ensure that the city offers more accessibility and transparency to its constituents. She, too, plans to bridge the diversity gap by meeting people where they are. In fact, she says, “That is one of the first rules of social work.” Meeting people where they are brings forth change, she adds. With a background in social work, Osborne works within the mental health field. She helps people struggling with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, self-esteem, confidence and coping skills. She loves what she does and has a great passion for women and children. As a two-time survivor of domestic violence, Osborne looks forward to using her experience to become an advocate for others by shaping better leaders and parents for the betterment of all. Her experience and expertise in this field is why she feels like a great candidate for council. “I look forward to working closely with a lot of people and having greater access to change a lot of lives,” says Osborne.
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