In school, math was not my favorite subject, but I do understand the importance of numbers. I want to share with you some numbers associated with the great city of Los Angeles. The city is 240 years old; it is the second-largest city in the United States, it is the third-largest city in North America, it has hosted two Olympics, it currently has 11 professional sports teams, it has had 42 mayors, it has had one Black mayor and it has had zero women mayors. In 2022 that zero can be changed to one. To make this happen she will need your help, your support, and most importantly your vote, to make her the next Mayor of Los Angeles.
After six terms representing the 37th Congressional District (Venice/Fairfax) the same area she grew up in, she has decided to come back home and take Los Angeles to the next level of greatness. She is a graduate of California State Dominguez Hills, the University of Southern California’s School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program, and the USC Master’s Program in Social Work. Prior to her election to Congress, Chairwoman Bass served in the California State Assembly, wherein 2008, she made history by becoming the first-ever African American woman in the United States history to serve as Speaker of any state legislature.
I started my professional career close to three decades ago serving the community in the greater Los Angeles area. One of my first clients was Community Coalition (CoCo), leading the organization during that time was Karen Bass. Having the privilege of working closely with her, I saw a woman who was not only committed to the organization’s mission but also dedicated to improving the lives of everyone that crossed her path. I have watched her ascension throughout her political career, but no matter how high she has climbed, she has never forgotten about home — Los Angeles. Why Los Angeles has never elected a woman mayor is a mystery because many major cities have had woman mayors, and some of the largest cities have recently elected Black women mayors like: London N. Breed of San Francisco, Lori E. Lightfoot of Chicago, Keisha Lance Bottoms of Atlanta, and Muriel Bower of Washington, D.C. Los Angeles now is the time for a woman’s touch, talent, and tenacity.
I know without a shadow of a doubt that her experience in Congress serving on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs where she is the Chair of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Global Human Rights, also having served on the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism and as the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in 2019 and 2020 has made her more than prepared to lead this great city. She will be able to take her global experience and locally make a big difference.
Karen believes that the potential of Los Angeles is endless. Her vision is to focus on tackling head-on the various problems and crises that face the city such as homelessness that is causing a deep humanitarian crisis, the lack of affordable housing, health care, job training, mental health services, as well as drug and alcohol counseling. She comes from a healthcare background making her very aware of the severity of these issues. There is no reason why one of the richest cities in the world cannot provide the basic necessities of food and shelter to its residents.
We all have a choice of who we will vote for. As a woman who has had the privilege of working with her close-up and personal, I hope Karen Bass will be the next Mayor of Los Angeles. #karenbass #blackgirlmagic #leadership #lamayor
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Visit www.WendyGladney.com and www.forgivingforliving.org to learn more. Wendy is a life strategist, coach, consultant, author, and speaker.