Answering Minneapolis' Moment: Why Jazz Hampton's Response to George Floyd Makes Him the Leader We Need

By Murid Amini, Founder and CEO of MOOV Rideshare

As the founder of MOOV rideshare, I make decisions every day that affect the safety of our drivers and passengers. The most important decision I've made recently? Ensuring every MOOV driver has access to TurnSignl, an app that could save their lives.

I know this firsthand. Last winter, while driving home, those dreaded blue lights appeared in my rearview mirror due to a flashing MOOV sign I had on my car. As an immigrant entrepreneur who has built a business competing with giants like Uber and Lyft, I've overcome countless challenges—but as a person of color in America, few moments trigger as much anxiety as a traffic stop.

This time was different. Instead of reaching for my registration with dread, I activated TurnSignl. Immediately, an attorney appeared on video, ready to witness and guide the entire interaction.  The officer approached, saw the attorney on my phone, and what could have been a tense encounter proceeded professionally. I knew my rights, followed proper protocols, and drove away safely with a warning.

Shortly afterwards, I made a company-wide decision: we would provide every MOOV driver with access to this technology. In the rideshare business, our drivers face countless traffic stops—it's an occupational reality. But the anxiety and potential danger shouldn't be.  With TurnSignl, our drivers, their passengers, and even officers have safer traffic stops with confidence that everyone will make it home safely.

What struck me most about TurnSignl wasn't just its effectiveness but its origin. This wasn't developed by some Silicon Valley tech bros looking for their next billion-dollar exit. It was created right here in Minneapolis by Jazz Hampton and his co-founders in response to George Floyd's murder. While many tech entrepreneurs talk about "changing the world," Jazz actually built something that saves lives day after day.. 

Having successfully launched a startup that saves lives, Jazz is now applying his entrepreneurial vision to an even bigger challenge: leading Minneapolis forward as its next mayor. As a fellow entrepreneur, I recognize the difference between those who identify problems and those who solve them. In the tech world, we call it the gap between "pitching" and "building." Anyone can pitch; few can build. Jazz Hampton built something extraordinary and he deserves our support in his next endeavor - moving our city forward.

We're now deploying TurnSignl across the entire MOOV driver network. Even in our pilot testing with a small group of drivers, the response has been overwhelming. Drivers—particularly drivers of color—report feeling safer, more confident, and better equipped to handle what has previously been one of their most dreaded scenarios. One driver in our pilot program told me, "For the first time, I feel like someone has my back when those lights flash."

In business, we make risk assessments daily. The real challenge isn't identifying risks but mitigating them with practical solutions. TurnSignl doesn't eliminate traffic stops, but it transforms them from potentially life-threatening encounters into manageable interactions.

Minneapolis stands at a pivotal moment. In the face of ongoing challenges that have divided our communities and tested our institutions, one question remains: how do we come together to build a safer, fairer, and more unified city for everyone? We can continue with the status quo, or we can choose leadership that brings people together through practical solutions and real results.

Jazz Hampton has already stepped up—not just by speaking out, but by creating lasting, meaningful change. In a time when our city was divided and needed action, he built something that addresses real needs and delivers everyday impact. His leadership is grounded not in promises, but in performance.In a city seeking unity and forward momentum, Jazz Hampton offers something powerful: a vision backed by action, and a path forward built on common ground.

As a rideshare company competing with industry giants, I know that innovation isn't about size—it's about solving real problems with real solutions. Jazz Hampton's approach to civic leadership mirrors what makes successful entrepreneurs stand out: identifying crucial needs, creating viable solutions, and implementing them effectively. Minneapolis doesn't need more task forces or committees studying what's already obvious. We need a builder, an innovator, someone who sees problems and creates solutions.

In the startup world, we talk about "product-market fit"—when a product perfectly addresses a market need. TurnSignl achieved that rare perfect fit, addressing a life-or-death need with elegant technology. Minneapolis needs leadership with that same precision and effectiveness.

For the safety of every driver in my company and for the well-being of our entire community, Minneapolis needs a mayor who turns challenges into real, lasting change. That’s why I’m supporting Jazz Hampton.