About Our GuestAs a West Oakland resident and a Black mother who lost my son and grandson to gun violence, “Black Lives Matter” is not a slogan. It’s my life’s calling - the reason I get up everyday, rooted

in love, committed to serve.

Politicized as an undergraduate at UC Berkeley, I personally know the toll exacted upon families as a result of decades of systemic government failure. We endure environmental and economic injustice; high unemployment; discrimination in housing, finance, employment and education; high crime and unjust policing. I know the pain of displacement and disinvestment which is why for two decades I dedicated my life to developing affordable housing and advocating for the needs of low income residents.

In 2012, with no prior political experience, I ran for office to bring my experience to work on challenges confronting my community. Others made big promises of rapid change; I committed to build consensus across ideology, race and income groups to solve our most pressing problems. Earning my colleagues’ trust, in 2015 I was elected Council President (the only first term legislator or Black woman to hold this critical position) and was named SF Business Times’ “Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business” and a Sun Reporter “Talented 25 Leader” - an honor I shared with then-Attorney General Kamala Harris.

During my tenure I worked with diverse coalitions of residents, faith leaders, educators, workers, entrepreneurs, artists and activists I’ve secured

progressive victories:

▪ established the Department of Violence Prevention (DVP) and the Reimagining Public

Safety Taskforce to eliminate the over-policing of Oakland’s Black and Brown residents;

▪ pioneered “Compassionate Communities” to innovate a better homeless services

delivery system;

▪ Enacted impact fees on new development and passed measures to secure millions for

affordable housing, parks and libraries;

▪ saved Head Start and partnered with Marshawn Lynch to operate the West Oakland

Youth Center;

▪ established the Black Arts District to support Black artists, culture-keepers and small

businesses;

▪ Shepherded the effort to ban the transport of coal in Oakland;

▪ Co-authored the Protect Oakland Renters Act (Measure JJ) to increase tenant

protections, stabilize rents and keep Oakland affordable and diverse

▪ Authored 2014 Measure Z - $25 million for violence prevention and safety services

▪ Established the West Oakland Job Resource Center, increased funding for Workforce

development and training for formerly incarcerated

▪ Established the first inter-jurisdictional task force to end sexual exploitation of children

▪ Enacted raises, pay equity and eliminated furloughs for City staff in successive budget

cycles

▪ Increased funding to Day Labor Centers and provided funding for unaccompanied minors.

Leaving office, I established the Legacies Leadership Group to continue my commitment to servant hood leadership. Through Legacies, I help companies, individuals and young people reach their goals in relationship, communication, attitude and leadership. I am a certified mentoring member of the John Maxwell Team.

About FIT LIVE!

SGI prides itself on uplifting women and individuals of color who are changing the game in career, life and entrepreneurship! We feel that by sharing the stories of inspiring women, entrepreneurs & more, we can encourage others to step out to do the same! That is why the SGE team has created the FIT Live Interview Series, a FREE live series from SGI designed to spotlight the unique journeys of entrepreneurs and individuals LIKE YOU and inspire people everywhere to find their own Faith, Intuition, and Tenacity! Register below to claim your seat, or watch on Facebook Live and Youtube!