Taneika Hill is running for re-election to Euclid City Council to continue to be a strong voice for those in her community who feel they have no voice. She has made her mark in her time on council, chairing the Parks & Recreation committee and successfully passing legislation to better protect victims of domestic violence. When re-elected she plans to continue her work engaging the community while working to enhance the quality of life in her ward and city.

Meet the Candidate

Can you tell our members a little bit about your journey to filing as a candidate?

Nine years ago, I moved into the city of Euclid looking for a place for my family to plant roots. I had a neighbor, that even though she lived in the connecting townhome next door, she would never speak to me or my husband. When she moved out, I vowed never to allow another neighbor to go without me engaging them. I started a neighborhood association and began to create the friendly, welcoming community that I wanted to live in. My involvement in the city led to the suggesting of me running for council. In 2015 with no political experience I ran. Out of the three candidates I was the new girl in town and the only woman in the race, but I won. Now it’s time to do it all over again. I have been a strong voice for my community and an agent of change. I’m running for re-election to continue the work that I have started to see the vision of a vibrant, engaged community come to fruition.

Tell our members about a friend or family member who inspired you to become a leader.

My mother was a single mother who made poverty seem to be nonexistent. She was a visionary that took me beyond my Kinsman neighborhood to places like Orange village, Hunting Valley and Bratenahl, to show me what I could have. Always encouraging me to be a leader and not a follower, forbidding me to use the word “can’t” saying it was not in my vocabulary. It is because of her that I am a woman of strength in every aspect of my life.

Some of you are military veterans, some small business owners, some professionals, some mothers and grandmothers, some homemakers. How did one of these experiences shape who you are as a person and leader?

In my current position I have the privilege to work with people across all lines of business. Often working with many other areas in the bank in order to accomplish a goal or complete a task. This has showed me the power and need for collaboration. I have used this method of leadership, working with others in partnership in order to accomplish a goal.

The Matriots PAC has a goal to see 50% of all elected offices in Ohio held by women by 2028. What is your vision for Ohio in 2028?

My goal is to have increased community engagement by 40%. To have a thriving neighborhood association in all five precincts resulting in every area of my ward being represented and a part of the decision-making process. It is also a goal to ensure that the housing code is enforced, holding landlords accountable to maintain their properties so they meet the standards set by the city and the expectations of the tenants that moved to Euclid for better life.

Tip O’Neill famously said that “all politics is local.” What are the top-two issues your community or our state face today?

I believe that that top two issues in our city is revenue and safety. We need to increase our tax base. We can do that by attracting new, young families. Safety is also an issue. It is my belief that we can reduce crimes committed by youth by investing more into youth programming. Partnering with the schools and faith-based organizations is one way to accomplish this. Adding more officers to the police force will create a safer community. Having more officers will allow us to restore programs such as officers on bikes and increase community policing programming. Programs that foster healthy relationships between officers and the community.

Tell us something personal about yourself.

I love to cook and entertain. I love having family over for a great meal. I believe that the world’s problems can be solved, goals can be set, and dreams can be realized, all around the dinner table. Nothing brings people together and break down barriers like a shared meal. I’m a great cook and I believe that food is and should be an expression of love.