City: Gardena
Position Seeking: City Council

Question 1: Please share a meaningful experience you had with art (visual, dance, drama, music, media arts) while growing up and its impact on you.

As a child, it was always difficult for me to express myself and how I felt. I would always bottle up my emotions and would become overwhelmed with not knowing how to release all of the many feelings I had bottled inside, both the good and the bad. I always took interest in dance of every form and one day while attending college I decided to give it a try and signed up as an elective, and it changed my life forever. Dance was a judge free outlet that allowed me to express pain, happiness, anger, frustration and joy. I was able to paint a beautiful story with my extremities that others could relate to and embody. Dance to this day is my outlet and my go to when I need to unwind. My favorite genres are contemporary, ballet and jazz.

Question 2: What do you believe the role of City Council should be in developing and supporting the region’s arts and cultural infrastructure?

I truly believe that City Council should be at the forefront of developing and supporting the region’s arts and cultural infrastructure. In addition to the many ways one can be entertained by the arts, art has also proven to have many educational, therapeutic and healing benefits. I have personally seen kids lives change through their ability to learn and express themselves through the arts, and as a mother, and councilwoman I will always work to ensure that our kids have the best access to resources to help them thrive.

Question 3: What’s your vision for the city? What role, if any, does art and culture play in advancing that vision?

My vision for the city is one grounded in strong community input and engagement, economic prosperity, public safety and increased community services. The arts definitely falls into the “increased community services” category and I am certain that our residents would benefit from incorporating more arts into our daily lives.

Questions 4: A recent report by the Otis College of Design found that 1 in every 6 jobs in LA County supports the creative sector and economy in Los Angeles County. If elected, how will you aim to ensure the continued vitality and growth of the creative economy and the artistic community that it supports?

Having a keen understanding of how important the arts are and its educational, therapeutic and healing impact, I would aim to ensure the continued vitality and growth of this economy by advocating that funding be earmarked for programs in our schools and community centers.