Ron CROSSON
for city council • Democrat
Ward 11 • South Providence • 2026
Our Community. Our Future. Together.
- BORN & RAISED HERE
- PRIMARY: SEPT 2026
- 50+ YEARS IN SOUTH PROVIDENCE
South Side Community Summer Celebration
Join Us — July 11th
Saturday, July 11, 2026
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
food • Music • Community • Free
Southside Cultural Center of Rhode Island
393 Broad Street, Providence, RI
Entrance on Bridgham St.
~1,000
jobs created
$0
taken for Community Service
2
public boards chaired
50+
Years in South Providence
born here. still here.
A neighbor who never left
Ron Crosson was born at St. Joseph's Hospital, raised on Dudley Street, and still lives in the same family home where he grew up — with his wife Sonia. He attended Mary Fogarty School, Flynn School, walked to Classical High, and played football in the OIC parking lot.
After earning a Finance degree from Penn State University, he came back. As Executive Director of Urban Ventures, Ron and his team helped entrepreneurs launch and grow businesses, creating nearly 1,000 good-paying jobs in South Providence.
Ron co-authored the 2016 Rhode Island Micro-Business Act — believed to be the first standalone state law in the United States dedicated solely to recognizing and supporting micro-businesses. He has chaired the Providence Public Buildings Authority and the RI Cannabis Advisory Board — all as a volunteer. Not one hour paid.
"I have never been paid for a single hour of my community service. Achieving justice for our community is, and always has been, my reward."
— Ron crosson
The Resistance Houses
Ron's family never left their block on Dudley Street. Rhode Island Hospital bought up surrounding properties. Neighbors were displaced — not because they wanted to leave, but because the pressure was relentless. Four homes remain where once there was a full neighborhood. The community calls them the Resistance Houses — a symbol of resilience for all of South Providence.
I Didn't Wait for Office
to Start Fighting.
I am Already in the Ring.
Defending our rights. Beyond talk.
When the Powers Closed the Door
What Ron has fought for
Because our community deserves someone who knows the systems and does the work, not just talks about it.
I challenged a system where government incentives flowed easily to some communities while ours were told to settle for less. I pushed for real investment, real access to capital, and enforcement of laws already meant to level the playing field.
While overseeing hundreds of millions in public investment, I pushed for transparency and accountability so minority-owned businesses had a fair opportunity to compete for public dollars.
When Rhode Island created its cannabis industry, communities disproportionately harmed by the War on Drugs were not explicitly recognized. I pushed to make sure our communities were named, seen, and included.
When City officials attempted to ignore the legal independence of the Providence Public Buildings Authority, I stood firm until the City formally acknowledged and honored the law.
"The law was the law. I made sure the City honored it."
When local transportation providers serving Medicaid patients were being squeezed by unfair systems and payment practices, I stepped in, documented the problems, and pushed State leadership for accountability and reform.
When the City moved forward on major neighborhood development plans without first briefing residents, I organized community meetings so neighbors could ask questions, challenge plans, and demand a voice before decisions were finalized.
When powerful institutions and developers proposed projects threatening neighborhood stability, I stood with residents and pushed back — because development should happen with the community, not to the community.
I assisted advocacy efforts supporting State recognition for the Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe — recognition that could unlock millions in federal resources for housing, health, and education.
Through Urban Ventures, I've worked alongside entrepreneurs in underserved communities to help launch and grow businesses that created nearly 1,000 jobs and strengthened neighborhoods across South Providence.
Development should happen
with the community
not to the community
Ron's platform. for and with providence.
What we will Do together
01
Community-Driven Development, Not Backroom Deals
South Side residents should help decide the future of our neighborhood, not developers cutting deals with City Hall behind closed doors. I will fight for mandatory transparency on zoning, tax deals and project approvals, real community input before anything moves forward, and development policies that protect our families, not developer profits.
02
Safe Neighborhoods & Environmental Justice
South Side families deserve to be safe: from crime, from toxic pollution and from a government that terrorizes rather than protects. I will fight for cleaner streets, aggressive environmental enforcement, real accountability for polluters and illegal dumpers, and clear policies ensuring every South Side family feels safe in their own city regardless of status.
03
Smarter Government & Lower Taxes
Poor planning, weak contracts and unchecked project mismanagement cost Providence taxpayers millions every year. I will fight for higher quality RFPs, stronger contractor vetting, centralized project tracking, real reform of the board of contractor supply process and serious scrutiny of cost overruns. Better planning, stronger vetting, less waste. Smarter government is how we will lower taxes for working families.
04
Stronger Schools & Pathways
Our children deserve a serious, sustained plan, not another round of temporary fixes. That starts with a shared vision: what does high quality education actually look like when we achieve it? I will fight for that honest conversation and for education that restores confidence, connects students to careers, apprenticeships, entrepreneurship, and emerging technology, to effectively prepare every child for today's economy and tomorrow's world.
05
Families Staying in South PVD
Residents who love South Side deserve to stay in South Side. I will fight for housing stability, strong anti-displacement policies, affordable homeownership opportunities, and protection from predatory tax sales — ensuring that growth works for the people already rooted here, not just developers who see our neighborhood as an opportunity to profit.
06
Youth Opportunity & Pathways
Young people in Ward 11 deserve clear pathways to success close to home — through mentorship, apprenticeships, education, entrepreneurship, arts, and civic engagement.
07
Safe Neighborhoods Through Community Partnership
Public safety starts with strong neighborhoods, trusted relationships, opportunity, and prevention. Every resident deserves to feel safe on their block and respected by their government.
08
A City Government That Listens
Residents should not have to fight to be heard by City Hall. I will bring government closer to the community through regular neighborhood conversations, accessibility, and direct accountability.
09
Fighting Displacement
Development should improve life for the people already here — not erase them. I will fight against policies and practices that force long-time residents and small businesses out of South Providence.
06
Economic Opportunity & Minority Business Growth
City contracts should create opportunity in the communities they impact. I will fight for procurement reform, full MBE/WBE participation transparency, fairer bidding processes, longer response windows and greater scrutiny over waivers that are granted so public investment is truly rooted in our neighborhoods and builds lasting local wealth.
"South Providence People Should Help Decide the direction
of their neighborhood."
— Ron Crosson · Ward 11 · South Providence
One South Providence
For our beautifully diverse community
Our community is one of the most beautifully diverse in Rhode Island — African-American, African, Caribbean, Latino, and Southeast Asian neighbors who have built something real and lasting here.
Ron carries that richness personally: African-American, German, and French heritage on his father's side; Cape Verdean, Azorean, and Portuguese on his mother's. He is not stepping into this community. He has never left it.
This campaign will be built on listening. On neighborhood conversations, coffee gatherings, and one-on-one exchanges across Ward 11. Because the most important thing a leader can do before anything else is hear people.
stay
Long-time residents have the right to remain in the communities they built and love.
Voice
Every neighbor deserves a seat at the table before decisions are made — not after.
Grow
South Providence businesses and entrepreneurs deserve investment, contracts, and opportunity.
Shape
Our community should help decide what comes next — together, before the plans are finalized.
"When it mattered,
I showed up."
South Providence Deserves Better
Join the fight for our rights
This campaign belongs to all of us. I am asking for your trust. I am asking for your vote and support. Because the future of South Providence should be shaped by the people who love it and know it most.
Contact
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Contributions can be mailed to:
Crosson for Ward 11
191 Dudley St.
Providence, RI 02905
