Kelly Garrett - "Let 'Em Know"
Kelly Garrett is back on Sticky Note Conversations for a second time, and she's not holding back. The former mayor of Lathrup Village and current mayor pro tem is now running for the Michigan House of Representatives in District 18 — and she's already cleared the primary.
In this episode, Kelly sits down with host Erika Washington to talk about what drove her to run for state office after 15 years in local government, the 40–50% water bill increase devastating residents in her community, and what she'd prioritize first in Lansing: paid leave, healthcare access, and carrying forward the work of Mothering Justice.
They also dig into the fractures within the Democratic Party — moderates vs. progressives, the Michigan Senate race fallout, why Black women are consistently asked to deliver votes but rarely given a seat at the top of the ticket, and whether the party truly understands what its base wants.
Plus: Kelly's secret book club she's never attended, her guilty pleasure reality TV picks, the Mel Robbins "Let Them" theory, and what joy and freedom look like right now.
Show Notes
Guest: Kelly Garrett — Former Mayor of Lathrup Village, current Mayor Pro Tem, and Democratic candidate for Michigan House of Representatives, District 18. Director of Development for Major Gifts at Rochester Christian University. Board member of Mothering Justice and the South Oakland YMCA. Founder of the Chandler Gibson Memorial Endowed Scholarship, which has surpassed $80,000.
Host: Erika Washington
In This Episode:
- Why Kelly decided to run for State Rep instead of State Senate — and what she heard from God about where to start
- A breakdown of Michigan's District 18: Lathrup Village, parts of Oak Park, Farmington Hills, Farmington, and Southfield
- The affordability crisis: rising property taxes, aging infrastructure, and a water bill increase of 40–50% that's hitting fixed-income residents hardest
- Stepping back as mayor: why Kelly chose to step aside and what she learned from 15 years in local government
- Running a "listening tour" campaign — door knocking, phone calls, and meeting voters where they are instead of making promises she can't keep alone
- The two-year term reality: why Kelly's next race will fall on a presidential election cycle (and why that scares her)
- First priorities if elected: paid leave (her "baby" from Mothering Justice), healthcare access, and carrying forward Rep. Valena Scott's Hope Zone legislation
- Life between home and Lansing: a one-hour-and-eight-minute commute and big plans for audiobooks
- Democratic Party divisions: the Michigan Senate race between Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed, primary fallout, and "Democrats for Mike Rogers"
- What does it mean to be a Democrat? Is the party keeping the status quo while its base diversifies?
- Representation on the ticket: why Michigan's top of the ticket is devoid of Black women — and the larger pattern of Black women being asked to deliver votes but not given leadership roles
- Money in politics and whether "rule by the people" still applies
- Kelly's American Dream: housing, food, water, and a good-paying job for everyone — and personally, to be an effective legislator who leaves a legacy connected to her late son, Chandler
- Joy is freedom: what's bringing Kelly joy right now
Books & Media Mentioned:
- Let Them (also called The Let Them Theory) by Mel Robbins
- Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
- Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
- Where Is the Lie? (possibly Listen for the Lies by Tessa Cottinger-Irving)
- The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin
- Look Closer by David Ellis
- Billy Porter's memoir (Unprotected)
- Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
- Jenifer Lewis's memoirs
Credits: Hosted and produced by Erika Washington. Edited by Black Gypsy LLC. Special thanks to KUNV 91.5. Powered by Make It Work Nevada, a project of Beyond Impact.
- (00:00) - Podcast Intro
- (00:14) - Meet Kelly Garrett
- (03:00) - Who Is Kelly
- (05:48) - Why Run For House
- (09:44) - District 18 Breakdown
- (12:10) - Affordability Concerns
- (13:46) - Stepping Back As Mayor
- (17:25) - Campaign Listening Tour
- (21:19) - Water Bill Shock
- (25:54) - Making Change In Lansing
- (28:02) - Two Year Term Reality
- (32:11) - First Priorities If Elected
- (35:14) - Life Between Home And Lansing
- (37:54) - Switching To Books
- (38:16) - Secret Book Club Picks
- (39:17) - Why Memoir Audiobooks Win
- (40:29) - Let Them Mindset Shift
- (42:18) - Reality TV Escapes
- (44:40) - Democrats Split on Direction
- (47:24) - Michigan Senate Race Fallout
- (53:01) - What Makes a Democrat
- (56:31) - Representation on the Ticket
- (01:07:21) - Money and the Democracy Machine
- (01:08:51) - American Dream and Joy
- (01:14:09) - Closing Thanks and Invite
Creators and Guests
