Dear Neighbor,

My name is Brian Guzman, and I want to begin by thanking you for taking a few moments to read this letter. I know your time is valuable, and I do not take for granted the opportunity to introduce myself and share why I am asking for your support to serve as your next Providence city councilor for Ward 11.

Before I ask for your vote, I want you to know who I am: not as a candidate, but as a person.

I am a lifelong Providence resident, and I have proudly called Ward 11 home for more than fifteen years. I swam at Davey Lopes, played baseball and ran track at Central, and went to Sanchez market for pastelitos after school. This is where my family lives, I purchased my home, made lifelong friendships, and found a community that has helped shape the person I am today. More importantly, this is where I have learned that the greatest strength of any neighborhood is its people. I've listened to neighbors across the South Side, from Wiggins Village to Lockwood Plaza, and my lived experience is why I understand the challenges we face.

I was raised with the belief that if you have the ability to help someone, you should. My family taught me the importance of working hard, treating people with respect, and never forgetting where you came from. Those values have stayed with me throughout my life and continue to guide every decision I make.

I am a proud graduate of Providence Public Schools. I attended Robert L. Bailey Elementary School, Charles N. Fortes Elementary School, and Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts before earning my degree in Global Business and Spanish from the University of Rhode Island. Growing up in our city taught me that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background or the neighborhood they come from.

Like many families in Ward 11, I have experienced both the opportunities and the challenges of living in Providence. I know the frustration of driving over potholes that never seem to get fixed, seeing trash left on our streets, struggling to get answers from City Hall, and watching housing costs continue to rise. These aren't just campaign issues to me, they're the everyday challenges that families in Upper South Providence and the West End face. They deserve more than empty promises; they deserve real solutions and a councilor who will work every day to deliver them. 

Working for the City of Providence,I gained firsthand experience with both the strengths of our city government and the challenges our neighbors face every day. Although I have stepped away from that role, I bring with me a deep understanding of how City Hall works, what is working well, and what needs to change. That experience has prepared me to deliver results, improve city services, and be a strong advocate for the people of Ward 11. 

That has always been the kind of public servant I strive to be.

My commitment to serving others doesn't end when I leave work. I am an active member of Christian Community Church, where I volunteer through our food pantry, outreach programs, media ministry, and youth mentorship efforts. Some of my most meaningful experiences have come from serving families who simply needed someone to care, to encourage them, or to remind them they were not alone. Those moments have reinforced something I have always believed: leadership begins with compassion.

I am running because I believe Ward 11 deserves leadership that is present, responsive, and accountable. We deserve someone who will answer the phone, return emails, attend neighborhood meetings, and work tirelessly to solve problems instead of making excuses.

If I have the honor of serving as your councilor, I will work every day to make our neighborhoods cleaner and safer, strengthen city services, support our local businesses, expand affordable housing opportunities, invest in education and youth programs, and pursue practical and compassionate solutions to homelessness. I know these challenges won't be solved overnight, but I also know that progress begins when someone is willing to listen, bring people together, and work hard every single day.

More than anything, I want to be the kind of councilor who earns your trust—not just during an election, but every day afterward. I want residents to know they have someone they can call, someone who will listen, and someone who will fight for them.

The heart of Ward 11 is its people—hardworking families, dedicated seniors, young people with big dreams, and neighbors who care about one another. This campaign is about listening to them, putting them first, and building a future that reflects their hopes. Together, we can create an even stronger Ward 11 for everyone who calls it home. 

 I would be honored to earn your trust and respectfully ask for your vote in the Democratic primary on September 9, 2026.

Thank you for taking the time to get to know me. I look forward to meeting you in the coming weeks as I knock on doors throughout Ward 11. If you ever have a question, concern, or an idea to make Ward 11 better, please reach out to me directly at 401-867-0355. I am ready to listen, work with you, and be a voice for our community.