Candidate Statement

I am Aisha Baro, a North Star progressive democrat running so I can help augment the impact of local grassroots efforts. As a black woman, an immigrant, a single mother and a Coastside resident I sit at the intersection of multiple communities that have historically not had representation. This perspective has helped me gain greater appreciation for my own political and civic duty and increasingly I have felt called to use my voice for greater activism and to represent our communities, including marginalized and vulnerable populations.

That calling started to manifest itself early. I was brought up in a muti-faith household by a Haitian Christian mom and a Senegalese Muslim dad and Faith has always played a big part in my life. And from a very young age, I was routinely making a prayer to God that “He help me help Him”. And now well into the 4th decade of my life, as I look back into my personal and professional journey, I see that prayer being answered gradually through milestones in my life that have propelled me closer to positions, where I can have greater societal impact.

After almost 2 decades in Biotech, I made a pivot almost 2 years ago to be the executive director of a nonprofit organization that catalyzes Bay Area Life Science companies into giving back. In addition I am a founding member of Coastside Families Taking Action and sit on Boards for Leadership Council San Mateo, Coastside Children's Program and United Way Bay Area. Through these roles, I see the great inequities that often result from policies that need to evolve. For example, in the Bay Area, homelessness has reached alarming heights yet it did not explode overnight. This crisis is the direct effect of a dangerous cocktail of increasingly unaffordable housing, escalating mental health issues, social justice policies that have impacted our most vulnerable to a point where they enter homelessness and have difficulties getting out of it.

I realize change is hard and takes time but we need to continue the fight towards progress. I am running because I believe that “Yes I can, Yes You can, Yes we can!”. That’s a message for every individual who feels marginalized through one aspect or another of their identity. For me running to be an assembly district delegate is a way to continue to extend my impact through public service, and to inspire others to run. I hope you give me that chance to represent you!

Aisha Baro
aisha@ad23.vote