Detroit Mayoral Candidate, Neighborhood Solar Projects, a Detroit Movie Producer
April 30, 2025
🌆 Deep Detroit Roots and Personal History
John Barlow shares his Detroit upbringing, academic background at Renaissance High and Wayne State, and how being surrounded by strong women and church communities shaped his values and drive for public service.
💬 Candid Talk on Relationships and Traditions
In a transparent discussion, Barlow reflects on being single and how modern dating dynamics diverge from traditional values. He critiques societal shifts influenced by pop culture, emphasizing teamwork and support in relationships.
🏛️ From the Pulpit to Politics
An ordained minister, Barlow blends spiritual conviction with civic ambition. He sees uplifting families and restoring community structures as part of his calling, even considering personal sacrifices like not having his own family.
🤝 Commitment to Vulnerable Communities
He sponsors a young artist in Haiti and maintains strong ties with underprivileged communities, demonstrating global empathy while championing local engagement.
⚙️ Entering Politics to Break Barriers
His political ambition is fueled by a desire to remove systemic obstacles. He values truth over rumors and transparency over political theater, citing his failed 2009 council run as a formative experience.
💡 Tech-Driven Vision for the City
Barlow offers futuristic policies such as air mobility, drone transport, and blockchain literacy, likening his vision to a realistic “Wakanda.” He believes Detroit must profit from and lead in tech innovation.
💰 Five Strong Reasons to Vote for Barlow
He lists legislative success without office, willingness to cut his salary, youth mentorship, tech-forward leadership, and deep local and financial networks as unique qualifications.
🧾 Systemic Corruption and Accountability
Barlow references the $40 million Detroit Riverfront Conservancy scandal, criticizing city leaders for allowing such corruption and vowing to expose negligence and hold boards accountable.
🔁 Village-Based Leadership Model
He promotes a “village” approach: motivating, educating, and activating communities to address their own challenges through unity and communication.
🏚️ Concrete Plan: Money, Jobs, and Homes
Central to his platform is a citizen dashboard to streamline access to resources across agencies and simplify support services—unifying fragmented systems like DTE, job programs, and utilities.
🚓 Public Safety Reform and Green Light Critique
While supporting the Detroit Green Light Program, he points out its inconsistencies and emphasizes hand-holding and neighborhood-based solutions, including monthly community-police calls.
👮♂️ Police and Community Relations
Barlow calls for deeper officer training, stronger residency requirements, and relationship-building to combat mistrust and prevent misjudgments in tense encounters.
🧠 Education and Truth-Seeking
He encourages critical thinking and source-checking, warning against blind trust in media or traditional narratives. His approach is to empower communities through factual knowledge and tech access.
🔢 300 Leaders, 12 Roundtables: Barlow gathered 300 leaders in 12 thematic sessions to discuss Detroit’s future, showing a commitment to inclusive policymaking and broad consultation.
💸 $40 Million Embezzlement Case: He spotlights this figure as a symbol of failed oversight and a rallying cry for reform and accountability among city leadership.
💻 One Dashboard, Multiple Systems: His plan for a “citizen dashboard” aims to merge disparate systems—job placement, utilities, aid programs—into a single digital interface.