Why family members say Kim Gray is built to be Richmond's next mayor

RICHMOND, Va. -- From the very beginning, mayoral candidate Kim Gray lived the racial, political, and economic diversity of the City of Richmond.

"We have family that grew up in projects, and family that is more affluent, and it's all affected us and just made us just want to see everybody rise together," Kim's older brother, Jeffrey Gray, said.

For starters, Kim and Jeffrey are the product of an interracial relationship.

Their mom, who is white, grew up in Fulton Hill.

Their dad, who is black, grew up in the Randolph community.

"He was a Republican, He was a Nixon man," Jeffery said.

But, it was not until Kim had five kids of her own in Richmond Public Schools that she started to think about running for office.

"Seeing them in school, and being somewhat frustrated sometimes with the public school system, and that's what led her to run for the school board," Jeffrey recalled.

Kim's aunt, Vanessa Carter, said even she wondered how her niece could care for five kids as a single mom and then adopt two more, work full-time, be on the School Board and then the City Council.

But, Carter said she was built for it.

"Her mom is a very calm person, very calming. Kim gets that from her mom," Carter said. "To see Kim frazzled, at wits end, you don't see it."

Carter said it's Kim's compassion that drives her to push for what she believes is right.

And, Kim's brother said even he does not agree with her 100% of the time, yet one of her gifts is being able to listen to others and find consensus.

"She takes all of the information in and tries to find that balance between all of the different opinions, and make it work for everyone so everyone is treated fairly," Jeffrey added.

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