Riverside Candidates, Vote by Tuesday March 5

By Dianne Anderson

From now until the big day, March 5, local Black candidates are stepping up their campaign message in the fight for equal access to housing, funding and services for the community up to the state level and down to the youngest local learners.

DR. COREY A. JACKSON – Assemblymember, 60th District

Since being elected in 2022, Dr. Jackson has engaged in over 400 meetings with constituents and stakeholders, and said his focus is on securing more state funds for communities, along with reducing bureaucratic barriers to ensure equal access to resources and opportunities.

Addressing the affordability crisis in California and childhood poverty is his top priority.

For that reason, he directed over $242 million in state funding to Riverside County last year and allocated $2 million to nonprofits serving Moreno Valley, Perris, San Jacinto, and Hemet serving those in need.

He points to his 2023 bill, AB 11, to study and address solutions to the state’s cost of living, and this year, AB 1801 aims to ease barriers for nonprofits to build housing. He also introduced AB 2448 to establish Electric Vehicle Zones to boost investments and create living wage jobs in the manufacturing sector in the Inland Empire.

“The Governor also signed AB 1078, which stops book banning in schools – the first law in the nation that stops the banning of books. This law makes sure that communities are protected and have the freedom to learn,” he said.

Maintaining integrity and reputation as a public servant has been rewarding, he said, and he is better positioned to navigate complex governance, ready to roll up his sleeves to tackle tough challenges head-on.

Fiscal concerns are always a reality, but he said current economic circumstances offer an opportunity for the state to redefine its priorities.

“The pressing financial challenges force a reevaluation of where resources are allocated, enabling us to create a more inclusive and robust economy. I am optimistic that we can navigate the economic complexities and work towards a California where everyone has an opportunity to thrive,” he said.

KAYLA BOOKER – Candidate for Riverside City Council Ward#1

Running as the People’s Candidate and voice of the voiceless, Kayla Booker said her constituents are dealing with homelessness, and a lack of affordable housing.

She said there is a great need for all voices to be represented in the city’s decision making process.

Through years of service, she has formed strong partnerships with community organizations, local businesses, and government agencies, and wants to continue priority collaborations. Above all, she said there is a need to understand diverse perspectives and backgrounds.

“I will work to promote diversity in leadership positions, support minority-owned businesses, and foster inclusive community engagement through open dialogue and collaboration,” said Booker, founder of the BLACK Collective, a nonprofit organization.

If elected, she would be the first Black woman on the Riverside City Council. Her top priorities include tackling homelessness, especially among seniors. She feels the community needs resilient leaders who are adaptable in problem solving.

“Addressing homelessness requires comprehensive solutions that encompass affordable housing initiatives, support services for those experiencing homelessness, and collaboration with local organizations to provide resources and shelter,” said Booker, who is also the Black Empowerment Coordinator at SBX Youth and Family Services.

With priority on equity, she sees potential for growth and development and is optimistic about the economy. She wants to support small businesses and entrepreneurs by advocating for resources, grants, and technical assistance programs that facilitate economic empowerment and growth.

Rent control measures also top her to-do list, pushing for initiatives for individuals and families for safe access to housing options, and long-term housing stability programs. She said it’s important to tackle the underlying causes of homelessness.

“I will seek partnerships with developers and community organizations to expand affordable housing options within our city,” she said.

Through her nonprofit, she is excited to offer a safe space for marginalized youth and a platform to voice their opinions, access support services and engage in civic responsibility. It also develops empowerment and community engagement.

Following the city’s COVID-19 lockdown, Booker was proud that her free community event drew together over 1,700 people from all backgrounds.

“The event served as a testament to the power of community unity, cultural exchange, bridging of social gaps, and fostering a stronger sense of communal belonging and shared cultural knowledge,” she said.

MAHILA WILLIAMSON – Trustee of Riverside County Board of Education, Trustee Area 7

Since announcing her candidacy, Williamson has garnered a long list of endorsements, including local electeds, unions, the CTA (California Teacher’s Association).

She said she was motivated to run because of the attacks she saw on public education, students and teachers, and that it is critical to take on special lobbying interests.

“We need to get the focus back on quality education that our children deserve and we need to provide support to our teachers, who are leaving the profession at an alarming rate,” she said.

Williamson is also disturbed at how the history and contributions of underrepresented groups, especially African Americans, are being erased from the curriculum. When she attended Oakland Unified School District, her studies of diversity left a lasting impression and perspective on whose backs America was built on.

“I remember reading slave journals and I remember how moved I was after reading them. It taught me empathy, it gave me perspective on what our ancestors fought for, for me to be able to pursue my dreams of becoming the first woman engineer in my family.”

Recently, she said she was thrilled to host a meet and greet with civil rights advocate and educator, Jane Elliott, revered for her famous “Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes” exercise in 1968 following the assassination of Dr. King to show the impact of racism in society.

“I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would come face to face with Ms. Elliott, let alone have her as a guest of honor at my Meet and Greet for my Board of Education run. A fearless, fearless woman,” said Williamson, who is also President of Riverside County NOW.

At the County Level School Board, she said important decisions are made about transfers and expulsions, and she wants to bring transparency and compassion for families and children. She is particularly concerned about cuts to programs, like STEAM, that help the most vulnerable students.

She describes it as a threat to education, and wants those programs increased at the county level.

“We are being affected by what is happening globally, but we can also make a good impact at the local level by teaming up with the local unions and offering more CTE programs to our Youth,” she said. “We can also look into more STEAM programs, push for financial literacy and media literacy.”

Williamson, a technical sales engineer, has traveled the world, and volunteered as a community organizer to get local community-oriented candidates elected to office. She also mentors at risk youth, and said it’s time to think beyond COVID, to look for opportunities for future generations.

“So the fight continues on all levels. We want our future generations to have more rights, not less, and that is fundamentally what we are fighting for,” she said.

JAMIE AZPEITIA-SACHS = Trustee of Riverside County Board of Education, Trustee Area 3

Jamie Azpeitia-Sachs sees a future where common sense collaborations go beyond the classroom with partnerships, community stakeholders, educators and agencies working for the success of all students.

In areas of children’s rights, she emphasizes privacy and protection within educational settings. Since taking her post last year, the hardest part is hearing stories of families and students up against bullying throughout school districts and the county. A lot of disparities face low-income families, and many LGBTQ+ students are dealing with increased bullying.

“That’s Black, white Asian, everything. Of course, it’s worse the darker you are. However, it’s playing out and affecting students who identify with the LGBTQ community,” said Azpeitia-Sachs, who was appointed to the Board of Education in January of last year to fill the vacancy left by Corey Jackson with his election to the California State Assembly.

But the bright side of what she does and the most rewarding is offering support for kids who have gone through expulsions and suspensions in various demographics throughout the county.

Inside and outside school walls, she wants learning programs and initiatives expanded to address bias and foster equity. A strong advocate for literacy, she is looking to get students at proficiency by the 5th grade, along with access to multilingual classrooms and financial literacy.

School safety, cyber security funding and equitable training for school security personnel are among her top priorities as she pushes for School Resource Officers to get proper training to interact fairly with students, parents, and educators. In disciplinary matters, she advocates alternative actions for non-violent infractions, and also promotes anti-bullying campaigns supported with mental health resources.

Diversity and equity are at the forefront. She feels that teachers should be able to adapt their teaching style to meet the needs of all students. In building more pathways to success, she works closely across county departments to promote Career and Technical CTE in school districts.

Azpeitia-Sachs said she is encouraged by the programming CTE offers. This year, Black History Month events focused on the arts, which is a big economic booster across the board. CTE also has arts options.

“We’re excited about Black History Month, and it’s a time of running the first Black Woman in this seat. I’m part of the arts community and a huge proponent for CTE, it’s a great time right now in bringing awareness,” she said, noting that CTE helps eliminate the stigma of not attending college, but is geared toward professional development through the trades industries.

Building bridges through partnerships with labor unions, government agencies, apprenticeships and internships is important so that all students can thrive. Probably the most rewarding recent move is that she was instrumental in turning a CTE program into a partnership with the Riverside City Firefighters Association.

“We’re now going to be contracting with them, the office of education, and starting the firefighters program through our CTE department. I’m so excited about that,” she said.