~Leslie Madrigal, Stephanie Rendon & Laura Vasquez

Faculty Advisor: Christopher Beck

Music is an integrated part of people’s lives that can spark a wide range of emotions and memories that last a lifetime. Studies show how music education introduced to young children “heightens children’s auditory acuity, thus increasing their ability to process language” (Etopio, et al., 2012). Aside from that, there are also improvements in children’s self-identity that improve their confidence and also give them a place they have ownership of (Barber, Eccles, & Stone, 2001). Hence, this capstone will focus on developing a low-income music program for the properties owned or managed by Westview Family Development, a low-income housing unit in the City of San Buenaventura.

As studies show, music enhances children’s learning abilities and can help them with social interaction and language skills. Recorded music and rhythm instruments, as well as songs, chants, and fingerplays are staples in the early childhood classroom. Singing, improvising (banging around on the rhythm instruments), and appropriate background music provide a foundation for future music awareness (McDonald, 1979). Also, like other extracurricular programs, music programs are an essential part of a child’s core experiences as they grow up. In a study conducted through the Department of Psychology at the University of Cordova, it was found that “the group involved in activities outside the school day yielded better academic performance.” Being involved in outside activities helps students interpersonally and can lead to a better attention level. Aside from the developmental aspect that a music program can have on children, the community effects it brings are also just as valuable. For instance, having a well-tailored music program “can welcome children of a wide range of abilities into a group” (Wolf, 2021). The program’s welcoming atmosphere then allows the individual to work on social and communication skills with other children building a community space.

With that said, this music program will build off of and provide the varying benefits that can be instilled in children when exposed to music in a controlled environment. That is why the program will have a variety of instruments and volunteers for the children enrolled in the program to have as much exposure to music theory. For one, this program will allow children to gain interest and hobby in music, allowing the forming of a community amongst other children who also have sparked interest. It will also give them a sense of belonging and allow them to excel in an activity that carries growth and beauty. Secondly, the community will also have a place where the families can come together and see their children grow and further develop themselves. It will also bring different families into a shared space where they can create new relationships. Overall, the objective of the music program is to help provide a musical outlet for children to learn new skills, further develop a self-identity and gain confidence in who they are and what they are learning.

The post Fall 2021 Capstone: City of San Buenaventura appeared first on The Public Sphere.

1. You recently became the Assistant City Manager for the City of Carpinteria– Congratulations! What was your journey like to get to this public service position?

I’ve worked in local government for 22+ years, not including 4 years of volunteer service. I started my career in recreation and most recently served as Recreation Supervisor for the City of Moorpark. Although I worked in recreation, I always looked for ways to add to my toolbox, taking on stretch assignments, attending trainings, and investing in myself through books, online resources, and time with mentors. When I decided I wanted to transition to city management, I took bigger steps, including participation in the Ventura County Leadership Academy and enrollment in the Cal Lu MPPA program. With three daughters and long work days, it wasn’t easy, but I was persistent, taking one class a term, slow and steady.

2. For those unfamiliar with the role of City Managers, or how the Assistant City Manager supports the City Manager, could you take a moment to explain what your responsibilities are and how it fits in the scheme of municipal leadership?

There are different forms of municipal government. The type I’ve always been a part of is council-manager. In this form, residents are at the top of the organizational chart. They elect a council who then hire a City Manager to manage day-to-day operations and ensure that council priorities are successfully implemented. My role as the Assistant City Manager (ACM) is to assist in guiding this implementation. Currently, I oversee the Recreation, Parks, and Public Facilities Department, and several other council directives, including the development of a Racial Equity and Social Justice program, civic engagement program, and economic vitality efforts, to name a few. 

3. How have your past professional experiences, including your time in the MPPA program, prepared you for this new career position?

My past professional experiences have prepared me for this position by providing me with experience, knowledge, and guidance. Fortunately, I knew what I wanted to do when I entered the MPPA program. This allowed me to tailor the program to my goals. The ability to research, analyze, and support my conclusions and recommendations is the most helpful skill I developed during my time at Cal Lu. In addition, the relationships I formed and the confidence I gained have been priceless. You won’t know everything but having confidence in your ability to learn and people to support you will set you on a trajectory for success.

4. From your time in this new capacity thus far, what have you found to be the greatest benefits and greatest challenges that public service leaders face today, either generally or specifically in the City of Carpinteria? What do you hope to contribute during your time with the City?

In local government, the rewards and challenges are often one and the same. We face a myriad of issues: affordable housing; public safety; diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); homelessness; and budget constraints, just to name a few. As a public service leader, the reward is that you can affect real change in these areas, right in your own community. What I hope to bring to Carpinteria is a leadership style that emphasizes community engagement, supports strategic planning, and strengthens relationships amongst City staff, residents, and community stakeholders. Ultimately, trust is the foundation of progress, and I want to help my organization build trust everywhere I can.  

5. Before closing, do you have any suggestions or inside tips for those in the MPPA community who are also interested in a similar line of work?

Absolutely. Here are my top 5!

1. Take Drew Powers and P.J. Gagajena’s classes as soon as possible. As active (and highly regarded) City Managers in the field, their knowledge and guidance will be invaluable.  
2. Most, if not all, professors in the MPPA program will allow you some leeway in selecting papers and/or project topics. If possible, select topics that center on approaches to city management and/or current local government challenges.
3. Find a mentor, or two.
4. Watch as many city council meetings as you can and familiarize yourself with the various elements (e.g., City staff reports, public hearings, etc.).
5. Join at least one city managers professional association and utilize their training,  resources, and networking opportunities (e.g., International City/County Managers Association – ICMA, Municipal Management Association of Southern California – MMASC.).

Good luck!

From everyone in the MPPA program, we wish you the best in your new capacity and thank you for your time in answering these questions!

The post Q&A with Mike Ramirez: Assistant City Manager, City of Carpinteria appeared first on The Public Sphere.

County of Ventura Internships

As a young person trying to establish a career in public service, one of the highlights of my 2021 was getting to intern at the County of Ventura in their Public Service Internship Program. The Program consisted of various work opportunities within different County agencies and departments (e.g., County Executive Office, Human Services Agency, the Fire Department, etc.) and opportunities to learn more about each field while gaining real-world career experience. 

My internship took place within the County Executive Office in the Human Resources Division on the recruitment team. During my internship, I got to use my former academic background in communication and my current academic background in public policy and administration to learn how the Human Resources department advertises and recruits for open job positions, as well as acquire additional soft skills in the workplace, such as time management, teamwork, and how to become a leader. My favorite part about the internship was being able to hone in on my creative side and work on social media and advertising campaigns for open recruitments in the County, as well as channel my analytical side and assist with larger projects requiring organization and critical thinking. 

Current County Role

I work as an HR Business Partner Assistant within the CEO Office, Human Resources Division. There, I assist with certification, written exam development, social media marketing, and Equal Opportunity Employment recordkeeping and organizational tasks. I enjoy my work because I get to bring my creative side into every project I do while simultaneously interacting with the taxpayers of the County of Ventura in order to help them find a career role they can succeed in. I believe a lot of the skills I learned in my internship carry over into my job today; and because I have a foundation of soft skills, knowledge of the County, and the human resources field, I find my work to be rewarding and relevant in today’s evolving workplace. I especially love the ability to make a positive impact on our constituents’ lives on an individual level, and I am dedicated to serving them with every daily task I complete. 

Recommendations

My recommendation to anyone wanting to join the County or to work either in an internship or in a full-time role is… just go for it! If you have a passion for anything in your career, whether its medicine, construction, environmental science, or public administration, there is a job for it at the County. I also recommend visiting the County HR website at hr.ventura.org to find a job that interests you and to check out our resources to learn more about our application process and organizational values. When you fill out your application, be sure to answer each question as fully as possible and showcase the skills you bring to the table. Details never hurt, and don’t be afraid to be yourself when you answer the questions! I believe careers within the public sector offer you an extremely rewarding career, and I encourage people to seek out careers where they can make a positive impact in their communities while remaining true to themselves and utilizing their talents.

The post How To Series: Internships at the County Government  appeared first on The Public Sphere.

The Public Sector: Government Agencies 

When referring to Public Service ,there can be some confusion about exactly what types of organizations are included. The Institute of Internal Auditor (IIA) clarifies what is meant by the term Public Sector, to provide guidance for their members and to identify specific criteria to appropriately classify organizations around the world as being in the public sector. 

According to IIA, the Public Sector consists of governments and all publicly controlled or publicly funded agencies, enterprises, and other entities that deliver public programs, goods, or services. The Public Sector may exist at any of four levels: 

• International (multistate entities or partnerships).
• National (an independent state).
• Regional (a province/state within a national state). 
• Local (a municipal-level body such as a city or county) (Duke & Danesco, 2011)

The County of Ventura is a “general law” county, governed by a five-member, elected–by-district Board of Supervisors. The Supervisors appoint a County Executive Officer (CEO) to oversee the County budget, day-to-day operations, as well as to advise, assist and act as an agent for the Board of Supervisors in all matters under the Board’s jurisdiction. 

The services provided by the different agencies and departments include general government administration, elections, public protection, such as law enforcement, fire protection, and watershed protection, public ways and facilities including construction and maintenance of roads, healthcare, environmental health, public assistance, libraries, and recreation and cultural services. In addition, enterprise funds account for the operations of the Ventura County Medical Center, the Santa Paula Hospital, and Ambulatory Clinics, Ventura County Health Care Plan, two airports: Camarillo and Oxnard, Channel Islands Harbor, Waterworks Districts providing sanitation and water services, and Parks. 

My Journey With the County of Ventura

I applied to the County because I needed healthcare benefits for my family and had heard they had great plans. Additionally, I was eager to rise in the workplace and understood I could promote within the County without losing coverage. My first appointment in 1992 was as an Office Assistant III for the Ambulatory Care Clinics Operations Manager. After six months, I was promoted to Management Assistant II.  

My career development at the County has been remarkable and very rewarding. I have been promoted repeatedly and today am a Personnel Analyst III working for the County Executive Office in support of departments and agencies throughout the enterprise. I truly am committed to the applicants for each recruitment and the departments and agencies I serve. I believe that in a small way I can contribute to creating the amazing lifestyle available here in Ventura County by supporting the County as it serves its constituents.

Recommendations

Whatever your goals you can probably find a position within the County of Ventura that would be of interest to you. As a Senior Human Resource (HR) Business Partner, I have been asked many times how to find the jobs available at the County. I direct inquiring individuals to the HR web page which has helpful information. It is also a good idea to review the information under the “How to” links to prepare for the different examinations and the selection interview.

It pays to do research. Every public sector enterprise has a rich presence online. You can learn much about each agency and the departments within each agency by spending time linking on links and reading the information posted. If you have questions about job opportunities the Human Resource department is your first contact. I encourage you to take time to investigate opportunities.

I invite you to check out all the public sector opportunities throughout the County, such as cities, school districts, water districts, and special districts. They all offer ways to contribute while fulfilling your professional endeavors. 

If you have questions, please, feel free to contact my email at katiecreynolds@gmail.com.

The post How To Series: Human Resources in Local Government appeared first on The Public Sphere.

The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) is an executive branch agency within the state that reports to the Office of the Governor. Specifically, CNRA oversees and supports the work of twenty-six state departments, conservancies, and commissions that are charged with managing the diverse natural resources located within the 100-million acres of land that make up the state of California. A comprehensive list of agencies within CNRA can be found here. The mission of CNRA is to “restore, protect and manage the state’s natural, historical and cultural resources for current and future generations using creative approaches and solutions based on science, collaboration, and respect for all the communities and interests involved.”

In addition to this overarching mission, each agency within CNRA has a specific mission and role in managing the state’s resources. The California Coastal Commission (Commission) is a CNRA agency with a mission to protect and enhance California’s coast and ocean for present and future generations. This is done in partnership with local governments by regulating development activities along the state’s approximately 1,200-mile shoreline in order to protect resources such as sensitive habitats, water quality, public access, and recreation. 

While completing my undergraduate degree at UC Santa Cruz and searching for potential internship opportunities, I became familiar with the Commission and was immediately drawn to its strong mission. The Commission has six offices located along the coast, including in Santa Cruz and Ventura. Although there weren’t any internships posted online, I contacted the district director in the Santa Cruz office, conveyed my interest in the agency, interviewed, and was offered an internship opportunity. I knew immediately that the Commission was a great fit for me and while still working to complete my degree, successfully passed the examination process that is required to be eligible for a paid position. After graduating I applied for and was offered an analyst job in the Commission’s Ventura office. Currently I hold the position of district supervisor and have been working in the Ventura office for nearly ten years. 

Applying for a job with the state can seem daunting, as there are often several steps that need to be taken prior to becoming eligible for employment. Most often, an interested candidate must successfully complete an examination for the specific job classification that they are interested in, and then they are able to participate in the application process. The CNRA website provides helpful information on this process. Additionally, most agencies have a “Jobs” tab on their website with additional information on the hiring process and the positions available. For example, the Commission website has links to the appropriate application forms, examination announcements, as well as a list of available paid and volunteer positions. If there is a specific agency that you are interested in, I encourage you to try and connect with employees of that agency to gain insight on the work of the agency, as well as the skills that would help to make you a successful candidate. Additionally, the human resources or recruitment office of that particular agency can offer guidance to ensure that you are completing the appropriate steps to become eligible for employment. 

In the Environmental Policy and Planning course that I teach, we take an in depth look into the functions of many CNRA agencies, as well as the laws that they implement. Employees of local agencies and organizations also join us to not only share their work but also their path to obtaining their current position. Additionally, course assignments give students the opportunity to conduct in-depth research on an environmental policy topic of their choosing. This allows for research into specific agencies, like those within CNRA, as well as existing laws and policy frameworks. In class this summer, students examined several interesting and pertinent topics including wildfire, coastal public access, and temperature increase as a result of climate change, and they were able to share their findings and analysis with the class.  

This winter term I will also be leading a capstone project in partnership with the County of Ventura Resources Management Agency to research and analyze existing laws and policies relating to environmental justice in order to propose recommendations for the El Rio/Del Norte Area Plan Update. This capstone is a great opportunity to gain insight into policy creation through the lens of environmental justice.

Please feel free to get in touch with me at jphelps@callutheran.edu or connect with me on LinkedIn if you have any questions about the course or if you are interested in learning more about a career in the environmental field!

The post How To Series: California Natural Resources Agency appeared first on The Public Sphere.

~Matthew Burdette, Leo Casiple, Deborah Gow

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Loredana Carson

“Sea level rise as the result of “climate change is one of the most complex issues (,) … involves many dimensions – science, economics, society, politics and moral and ethical questions” (NASA, 2020).  Uncoordinated actions can negatively affect the trajectory of communities along the Ventura County coastline, alter the fiscal sustainability of the state of California, complicate the US defense strategy, and disturb the rhythm of the global economy. [From the opening remarks of the Capstone narrative.]

This team was assigned to a project brought to the department by the Ventura County Planning Division as part of their Ventura County Resilient Coastal Adaptation Project that is an ongoing effort to prepare the county for issues pertaining to sea level rise predicted to impact the county over the next century. Although some of the predictions may not occur until the end of the century, others may take place by or before the year 2030. Therefore, the county is actively working on planning that would mitigate the impact of rising waters on coastal communities throughout the county.

As part of the process, the county distributed a survey in December 2020 with the intent to gather information about community preferences pertaining to sea level rise planning activities and adaptation strategies designed to mitigate the impact of sea level rise. The 10-question survey asked respondents to detail their beach usage, as well as their preferences and opinions of various planning strategies currently under consideration.

The Capstone team was asked to prepare an analysis of the date, which included both qualitative and quantitative responses and to summarize the data in both a narrative and a graphic format for ease of sharing the analysis.

The objectives of the project were as follows:

1. Organize the date, combining digital and paper responses and translating the Spanish versions to English. To ensure that all the data was entered into a single database for processing.
2. Use Excel to analyze the quantitative responses and prepare visual charts and graphs to illustrate the responses to these questions utilizing descriptive statistics.
3. Examine all qualitative responses to open-ended questions and code responses into thematic elements to present the findings in a meaningful synthesis of the responses.
4. Provide conclusions and recommendations based on the analyzed data.
5. Prepare a narrative report of the findings suitable for use by Ventura County Planning.
6. Design a PowerPoint presentation slide deck to share with the Ventura County Planning Division at a department meeting. The same presentation can be modified to share with the MPPA and Cal Lutheran communities.

The Capstone team was able to complete all the goals set out for them and looks forward to sharing the results in the near future.

The post Summer 2021 Capstone: Ventura County Planning Division appeared first on The Public Sphere.

~Madison Bartula-Henkle, Jenbenton Jean-Baptiste, Patricia Palao Da Costa

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Sabith Khan

The City of Los Angeles (LA) is planning to launch a pilot program in the near future that will largely follow the Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets (CAHOOTS) model.

CAHOOTS was created over thirty years ago in Eugene, Oregon, achieving many accolades within and outside of its originating location. By diverting just 2% (about $2 million) of the local police department’s annual budget (about $90 million), the program has rerouted an average of 20% of the emergency 9-1-1 calls and continues to save the municipal government millions of dollars from legal, medical, and general fees. With the City of LA dealing with a multitude of issues pertaining to law enforcement—including recidivism and mal-placement for people with mental illnesses, high levels of inappropriate incidents of violence, inequitable conditions and treatment for persons of color during law enforcement encounters, and increasing police department malpractice lawsuits—it is an opportune moment for the government to reimagine the response of particular public safety concerns.

To implement the mobile crisis pilot program, we, the student researchers, worked with the City on a project to design a public engagement framework. Using the City’s three goals of informing the public, creating opportunities to voice questions and concerns, and increasing the equity of engagement efforts, we delineated our objectives, designed the framework, and delivered necessary materials for the success of the framework. The four objectives our team had were the following:

• Interview local experts of community engagement, mental health, and/or public safety, for the purpose of retrieving reliable methods of campaigning that will provide both qualitative and quantitative results in five areas:

- Cost-effectiveness

- Inclusivity/Equity

- Practicality

- Effectiveness (in achieving the purpose of the campaign)

- Environmental versatility (remote/in-person/hybrid formats)

• Create materials and infographics for the campaign and pilot program that are easily accessed by all demographics and districts and will be used in social media and in-person efforts.
• Prepare a presentation with pertinent information and frequently asked questions and organize public meetings for individuals and groups to be informed and voice concerns.
• Design two surveys, one for community groups and members to provide feedback after the pilot’s presentations(post-presentation) and another for anyone who uses the pilot’s services after implementations (post-care) for the participating community members in the future campaign and implementation of the pilot, translated in English and Spanish.

To complete the first objective, our team used the Delphi and Action Research methods when finding and interviewing experts in LA. In total, nine experts were interviewed in eight virtual meetings, the qualitative data was coded with twenty-two codes, and the quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics.

With the combination of the literature and unique insights retrieved through interviews of local experts, we recommended to the City of LA that they use a foundation of informing and consulting the public through partnerships. To support this framework and fulfill the other three objectives, our team provided six personalized and dynamic deliverables: a PowerPoint presentation for local partnerships, a PowerPoint presentation for community members, a informational one-pager of our framework design, a combination of infographics, a post-presentation survey in English and Spanish, and a post-care survey in English and Spanish. Using these strategies and materials, we hope for a successful implementation of the framework and future pilot program for the City of LA.

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1. From the biographical page about your life and career, I noticed that you have held several public service positions throughout Ventura County. What initially interested you to serve in local government? 

I ran for city council in 2018 and won by a landslide. As a mother, educator and public servant I represent working families. As a woman – a black woman, I represent a new and diverse perspective in leadership. I am the first black person ever to be elected to council (male or female) since the city’s inception 150 years ago.

Public service is definitely a calling to serve. Ever since I was a young girl, I knew I wanted to do this, I just never thought I would have the opportunity to do it in the city I grew up in!

Serving as an elected official in the city I grew up in was a culmination of a decade of community work and career experience. My campaign tagline read, “The Qualified Choice.” I was well prepared for the complexities of office and my education was key. 

I was a part of the MPPA programs first ADEP cohort in 2006. Dr. Herbert Gooch, Dean of the MPPA program reached out to me and personally requested that I apply to the pilot ADEP program. He was confident that even whilst in my final undergraduate semester I could begin working on my graduate studies at the same time, so I did. I studied under professors who either became elected officials or were appointed public servants such as Jeff Gorell, Jeff Burgh, and Sandy Smith. I completed this program in two years and graduated in 2009.

During the program I improved my writing skills, further developed my critical thinking skills and began a paid internship with a local municipality, in Community Development. I used this opportunity to demonstrate my ability to improve procedure, process and participation in city government programs, based upon what I learned. After graduation I was asked to remain with the department.

CLU not only gave me an education but helped me create a pathway into one of the most exciting careers I could have imagined. This began my career in public service and this sentiment extended to elected office. Five years later I ran for political office.

I knew I had what it took and I also knew I had to convince others to believe in me even more than I believed in myself. I ran for office three times and the VC Reporter published that the third time was the charm.

I had a solid background in economic development and working experience with public budgets and elected officials. I knew I could be that balanced voice in the midst of competing priorities. I expressed that I would model accountable leadership, work towards consensus and agreement and find sustainable solutions to help move the city forward. This is what I have done and will continue to do.

We, as women, sometimes believe we do not quite measure up or qualify for positions we are overqualified for. Women all over the country at every level have proven to be effective leaders and I am no different – you are no different.

I continue to learn by challenging myself, constantly stretching my normal ways of thinking and getting out of my comfort zone. This is one step of many in becoming a leader.

As a councilmember I was happy to encourage potential students to consider CLU their institution of choice in furthering their education, when they hosted a recruitment event at Ventura City Hall.

I was honored to be a panelist for CLU’s virtual Women in Leadership event in 2020 through the Centers of Non-profit Leadership 

As a single-parent I put myself through college while raising my boys. I did not know anyone who had blazed the path that I wanted to go on so I carved my own path by learning from great African American public figures, such as Barbara Jordan, Colin Powell, Donna Brazille, Willie Brown, Bell Hooks, Cornel West and many others. I decided that I would embark on the journey to political office because I was able to envision myself doing so through the stories of others. During my undergraduate studies, even as a single parent I also had the opportunity to participate in campus life as a CLU Ambassador and Managing Editor of the campus newspaper, The Echo.

CLU taught me that my voice, whether welcomed or not, was valuable. Through their diversity course requirements I witnessed the best and worst of shifting paradigms and narratives. Some instructors were quite vocal about their apathetic view of the requirement and allowed students to openly heckle any attempt at challenging their ideas of status quo – unfettered. This to me (as one of very few other black students) was a form of classroom terror. They were arguing that black American contributions didn’t matter, asking why they should have to learn about them and insisted their parents were against it because that’s not what they are paying tuition for them to learn. 

“Because we are here!” I thought, “…and because we are you!…your blood runs through our veins” I screamed silently, and “Because there is no America without the work of black slaves.” “Because we are not a silent slave class anymore to be seen and not heard.” “Because we are citizens of these United States, because we fought in every war on both sides, because we nursed your children, because we cleaned your houses, because we are humans that seek acceptance just as outlined in Maslow’s Theory, because black history is American history that was simply left out and we don’t deserve to be left out and ignored any longer!” I was shocked and appalled that I had to sit and accept such attacks without any protection or explanation. I was unable to articulate my frustrations so clearly through my rage. So from that point forward, I used my written voice to add power, balance the narrative and challenge the status quo. Every paper I wrote was testament to my perspective that I created specifically to shift the perspectives and direction of thought for my professors and the students. I believed that no other black student should have to be subject to what I was subject to.

When people ask me why I ran I tell them that ever since I was a young girl I was challenged with a deep seated sense of injustice when I learned that my successful business-minded cousin was set-up and put in jail by his local Sheriff’s department in the South. They sent the message that a black man dare not try to do better than anyone else, lest they be knocked down. I learned indirectly by that tragedy, that wanting more, being a business owner and potentially making more money than others put a target on your back.  I was devastated. I decided that I wanted to be the person that provided real legal representation for men like that. I dreamed of being an attorney while he remained locked up my entire life. Later, I realized that I did not need to be an attorney to effect policy or to legislate. There are many roles each of us can play in pushing a shift in our justice system – but we must do it together.

Long before 2020, injustices have paralyzed this country…whether those injustices are racial, social, judicial, economic…

The viral killing of George Floyd was the virtual straw that broke the collective back of America and ignited a movement for Black Lives that I never believed was possible.  As a black woman and mother of three beautiful black men, I feel as if I am in a fight for their lives. That they might live and not be shot in the back, that they may find love and not be choked until they cannot breath, that they might be afforded the right to work hard and not be unemployed and homeless. We continue to fight today. I don’t want to see the face of my son crying out from YouTube one day saying “Mother! They are going to kill me!” That is what George Floyd represented to me, the face of every black man, son, father, uncle and brother. I will not sit idly by. I will fight. The question is will you? Will you sit idly by? Will you fight?

During their pre-adolescent years, I did “The Talk” with my boys and coached them how to handle any interactions they had with law enforcement or rogue neighborhood residents and prayed they remained safe. Even doing all of that, I knew that once they became adults, they would face increased challenges compounded by lack of permanent full-time work opportunities, lack of affordable housing, lack of financial stability, lack of practical workplace protections and security, lack of mentorship, lack of responsive healthcare, …and the list goes on. I became the most resolute advocate for my children.

As advocates, women, as people of color, we must continue to fight to be heard, to insist equity in representation, to be taken seriously, to be allowed to speak frankly, matter-of-factly and unapologetically about issues of great importance without being accused of being labeled too serious, aggressive or angry,  to be allowed to have an opinion all our own without having that opinion appropriated by someone else and deemed valid only by association, to be forced to question if you belong because you look and speak differently… 

On council, my presence alone has ushered in a culture of change, a live example of progress, while establishing that a black woman can not only lead but lead successfully. I was elected by a constituency who saw me for who I was, not the color of my skin. I was able to identify the common thread that unified me with my community. This is what we must dig deep and try to do more frequently. My story is one of victory, not defeat, because the fact that I was elected is a testament to Ventura’s willingness to do something different.

I petition students, as they embark on their careers and seek to find purpose in their work to consider that true equity lies in Equity Bridges. We must be a part of the solution to build these bridges, in education, which means making all basic utilities accessible to all. Today the internet has become a basic utility and should be available, at no charge to students and parents of students, in leadership, by sitting on boards, and decision-making tables, in political office, as a candidate running for office and or  in campaign management, in access to entry level jobs and careers with living wages, in housing and the safety of our children so we have some say in how we live, and in shifting paradigms, by understanding implicit bias, roots of racism and the truth about the politics of power.

To do this each individual must understand how to leverage the knowledge they have, develop long term strategies for personal progress with the intent to partnering and collaborating with others.

I am glad to see that CLU has expanded its Diversity initiative to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, but we need to do more, because faith without works is dead. A resolution with no teeth means nothing. An idea without a strategy to implement is just a dream.

2. From your point of view, what aspects of public service are most challenging and most rewarding?

Being a councilmember in the City of Ventura is both challenging and rewarding. It is challenging because the work never ends and you must be constantly on top of what is coming next. The Ventura council is considered a “part-time” elected position, which means you must keep your day job. There is no salary and we get no staff. So we keep our own calendars and arrange our own meetings and must navigate complex policy issues on our own.

In addition, this was compounded by the fact that there was a real lack of strategic economic development initiatives in the city. Social policy cannot exist without a means to fund it. This is a point I would regularly drive home on the dias. It was quite challenging at times to beat back against old narratives, indirectly educate my colleagues on the effects Proposition 13 and the end of Redevelopment had directly on city services and our budget. I have been present to help find options we have available to us today to create solutions. I leaned on my experience in Economic Development, I continued to support business, was in favor of much-needed infrastructure projects, reviewed policy that required updating and made sure I had time to listen to the people that elected me.

As former co-chair of Finance, Audit & Budget committee, I was the catalyst that assisted staff in locating a savings of over $400,000 during the pandemic when the city lost over $11 million under our projected budget, when everything shut down and helped frame the recommendations as presented to council during our complex budget discussions. As current chair of the General Plan Committee I work closely with Community Development and our GPAC consultants to ensure that as we plan for the city the next 20-30 years we get it right and that everyone’s voice in the community contributes to the conversation. I continue to build relationships with property owners, consultants and concerned community advocates to be sure that the policy we create is balanced. 

It is rewarding because I have been able to utilize everything I have learned up until this point to the benefit of the City of Ventura.

3. With the growing political divides and inefficiency seen in the federal and local governments, many have lost hope in politicians and our political system. How do you engage with and respond to disillusioned community members with similar political doubts or concerns?

In my perspective, the political divides were always there but hidden, just not so blatant. Coupled with a tumultuous federal administration, the pandemic demanded a captive audience that was ignited to take their frustrations to the streets. The year of 2020 carried a storm on all fronts. On council, we were required to legislate every issue, listen to all concerns and create new solutions that no one seemed to totally agree on.

There have been inefficiencies in my local government for an extend amount of time and the best any politician can do in the face of polarizing politics is to remain responsive, remain true to the values they stood on when elected and remain present for every difficult discussion, and that is what I have done. In addition, I have brought voice to communities who have not had the opportunity to really engage in local government in the past. I lived up to this commitment when I insisted that the GPAC make special provisions to reach out to the Latino community which makes up almost 35% of our population and is growing, yet represented less than 5% of the appointed members on the GPAC.  This was unacceptable. In addition, I was confident that my vote was the right one. to appoint a very qualified and educated woman from the Latino community to fill a vacant council seat earlier this year.

When I was elected in 2018 I was a part of the first female majority on council. This was historic all by itself but I was also a part of the first group of councilmembers elected by districts. Today I am in good company, with two Latinas serving on the dais with me. This was made possible because two years prior to my election, I joined CAUSE in challenging the city’s at-large election process in 2016 which effectively led the city to move to vote for the city charter to allow for district elections. District elections are what opened wide the door that only had a narrow opening. I protested through civil discourse at a council meeting to help push the city towards more fair and equitable representation. Up until that point almost all councilmembers elected were from the Westside of the city, were usually male, white, retired and over 70. The two white females on council at that time were also retired, white and over a certain age but also only two of twelve other females since the city’s inception. There were stark political divides between me and many of my colleagues but I worked hard to “work across the aisle.”

As the first black person ever elected, I wanted this to mean something.  Not just that I shook things up but that I worked with other councilmembers to find solutions. I worked with the Police Chief, the Mayor and my colleagues to introduce a resolution that addressed racism and police brutality in 2020. This resolution requested action not just ceremony. It was a resolution Declaring Racism a Public Health issue and Denouncing Police Brutality. I also wrote a Black History Month proclamation February of 2021. In December of 2019, council approved a new initiative which we are calling the “Progress Initiative,” to be brought to the council Fall of this year. Among other things, it has provisions in it to get more of the community involved in city leadership. It has been quite rewarding to have colleagues willing to stand with me and vote for change, especially during the year of 2020.

4. In what ways do you believe your unique personal and professional background helped create your campaign and garner support from local citizens? What was your experience like running for local government?

I did an extensive amount of volunteer community work, in addition to my education and public service in local government and was a candidate for political office three times before I won.  

I graduated from the Ventura County Leadership Academy Class X back in the early 2000’s, I later graduated from Gamaliel National Leadership Institute’s organizational leadership training, took CAUSE’s Values Based Leadership Training, completed the year-long political leadership training with Emerge California and even transformed my thinking through Landmark corporate leadership training, but before all of that I volunteered as Community Coordinator for the county NAACP chapter. All these organizations enhanced the development of my unique perspective as I matriculated through my undergraduate and later graduate studies. I have an Associates degree in Bilingual Cross-Cultural Studies with an Emphasis in Latin culture and language, I have a Bachelor’s degree in Communication with an emphasis in Journalism and a Masters degree in Public Policy and Administration.

I grew up in Ventura and as a native I had a birds eye view of the state of the city, I saw how anti-growth initiatives affected the city over the last 25 years, saw retail centers deteriorate and become the blighted buildings they are now, witnessed the  lack of economic development initiatives on the eastside, the underutilization of redevelopment and watched helplessly as no affordable housing was built in the city.

It is not just your professional experience that makes what you bring to the table valuable. I have lived and experienced many of the challenges and frustrations that many residents express to us; I know first-hand the degree of difficulty faced in the city when searching for housing, maintaining rent while facing underemployment and healthcare challenges. My experiences have put me in the unique position to be able to contribute to policy conversations from an informed position with understanding and empathy. 

Being a mother and matriculating through CLU as a graduate student taught me commitment and grit. This has served me well professionally. Running for office was a five-year commitment to a long-term goal. It was a political experiment in progressive movement, it was an exercise of grass-roots power and a glass-ceiling shattering story about a girl who wanted to navigate her way into political life.

It did not come without sacrifices, heartache and long days and nights with no sleep. It did come with a satisfaction that I had run the race and did all I could do, and in the end the Lord carried me the rest of the way through. I did not always believe that I deserved to be there but now that I am here, I know better. Not only do I deserve to be here, I know now that I am an asset.

5. Do you feel that your CLU degree in public policy helped prepare you for those roles? If a fellow MPPA student were interested in running, what advice would you give them?

CLU definitely sharpened my focus and fortified my resolve. The Public Policy program enhanced my critical thinking, improved my writing skills, convinced me that urban planning was not a dirty word, reinforced the idea that I could create my own path, demonstrated that it was possible to be a Christian and relevant professionally, fostered the idea that everyone finishes and graduates and taught me that doing the work, showing up and being present is the recipe for progress and ultimate success. Because I am a critical thinker, the two classes that had the most impact were a social science class and an ethics class. I learned not to be afraid of my ideas even if they were different from the instructor who was teaching me. I learned to forge forward even if I was going it alone. I learned how to effectively design sustainable solutions where none have ever existed. These things have been invaluable in my role and to my knowledge I am the first MPPA student from CLU’s ADEP program, to ever be elected to office!

My advice to MPPA students is:

You are on the front lines of policy research and solutions, study those concepts that are relevant to your future, double-down on the values important to you and at the same time, keep an open mind and listen. Right now, really research those theories being challenged that stand to directly affect you, while you have the time to do it, such as the Critical Race Theory. 

Today, I encourage students to learn more about the Critical Race Theory, to understand how systems of racism oppress and elevate at the same time depending on who you are, where you are from and what you look like. Economic Development, Urban Planning, Redlining, access to education, blighted communities, gentrification: they are all social constructs that support a way of living and philosophies on who deserves what. How do you want to live, how do you want your children to live, what do you deserve? Should someone else be able to define for you what access you get? Do you deserve to live in the community you grew up in? Should affordable studios, lofts and small apartments be available to those with entry level jobs? Should young families be forced to move to another state? Is it okay to make a playground out of poor communities? Should those who don’t have a political voice get poisoned water and breathe polluted air?

These are questions we must be able to answer to effect change or to have a drive and purpose. 

It is important to remain true to your purpose. Find your focus, even if it feels you are only muddling through at times. It does all come together in the end. Take the time during matriculation to identify your authentic self, your story and your reason for staying your chosen course. This will serve as your compass that points you to that ultimate goal when you get lost and discouraged, because you will. It also informs your purpose which in turn can give anything you do authenticity, and authenticity can carry a business, provide strength during uncertain times and take you to the finish line. Just remember, when you get to the finish line, it is really just the beginning – not the end.

I paid my dues, but what I want students to know is that, it is not required to do all the things I did to be qualified. There will always be those who are much less qualified sitting right next to you.  I remember an instructor telling me once that I should never feel intimidated or unworthy to sit at a decision-making table because my perspective was unique from theirs and therefore was needed and valuable to the conversation. That was life changing and I have carried that with me throughout the years. Believe it and walk confidently into your future.

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