Leaders Choose Greuel as Best Candidate for Mayor
LOS ANGELES — Flanked by supporters, community leaders, and volunteers, Wendy Greuel kicked off the opening of her South L.A. field office today and announced the support of African Americans with Wendy, an influential group of civic, faith, community and business leaders backing her campaign.
Many of the leaders have been instrumental in the Black community for decades, and their support adds to Greuel's growing coalition in every part of the city. Greuel will be a mayor for all of Los Angeles so that no part of the city is left behind, and her South L.A. field office, located in the former Organizing for America field office in Crenshaw, will be a hub for supporters and volunteers working to contact voters.
The new African Americans with Wendy committee includes John Mack, former President of the Los Angeles Urban League*, Connie Rice, Co-Director of the Advancement Project*, Rev. Norman Copeland, Presiding Elder, AME Church Fifth Episcopal District*, Reverend Dr. Clyde W. Oden, Jr., Senior Pastor of Bryant AME Church*, Jamon R. Hicks, President, California Association of Black Lawyers*, Rev. Mark Whitlock, Senior Minister, Christ Our Redeemer AME Church*, Dr. R. A. Williams, Senior Pastor at McCoy Memorial Baptist Church* and President of WHW Ministers Conference*, Genethia Hudley-Hayes, Los Angeles Board of Fire Commissioners*, Areva Martin, Managing Partner at Martin & Martin, LLP*, Kerman Maddox, member of the Democratic National Committee Executive Committee*, Sweet Alice Harris, founder of Parents of Watts*, Kenneth T. Lombard, a lawyer at Capri Capital Partners*, actor Eriq LaSalle, Forescee Hogan-Rowles, President of the Community Financial Resource Center*, and Earl Skip Cooper, II, President and CEO of the Black Business Association of Los Angeles*. To see the full list, click HERE.
"I have worked together with Wendy for more than 20 years, and I know she'll be a fighter for communities across the entire city," said Connie Rice, President of the Advancement Project*. "Wendy and I share a commitment to social justice, and whether it was advocating for affordable housing when she worked with Mayor Tom Bradley, or fighting to make our schools better and our streets safer as Councilwoman and Controller, Wendy has dedicated her career to giving every single person in LA a chance to succeed. I am so proud to endorse her for mayor."
"I am proud to support Wendy Greuel as our next mayor because I know she'll be a leader for all of Los Angeles. Having worshipped with her and her family, I know her to be a woman of faith, of integrity and with a deep love for our city," said Reverend Dr. Clyde W. Oden, Jr., Senior Pastor of Bryant Temple A.M.E. Church*. "We need a mayor who will ensure that our children have access to first-class schools and good jobs and are safe from gun violence. I know how compassionate and concerned she is for all of the citizens and residents of Los Angeles. With Wendy Greuel as mayor, I know that no part of our city will get left behind."
"I've known Wendy since before she began her career in public service; she's like a daughter to me. She'll be a mayor who is on our side, who will roll up her sleeves and deliver for our families and our neighborhoods," said Sweet Alice Harris, founder of Parents of Watts*. "Wendy will make sure that no matter what your zip code is, you will have access to a quality school, affordable housing, you can get an ambulance when you need one, and your street is paved. I know she'll fight for every community in this city."
"I've known Wendy Greuel for over 25 years since we worked together as aides for Mayor Tom Bradley, who taught us the value of public service and the importance of representing all communities. Wendy Greuel is as honest as the day is long and has the same passion for social justice today that she had 25 years ago," said Kerman Maddox, a member of the Democratic National Committee Executive Committee*. "Although we are from very different backgrounds, we bonded over our commitment to serve and make a difference in Los Angeles. Wendy Greuel will be great Mayor for all of Los Angeles because she works hard, she gets it and she's the real deal."
"I am thrilled to have the support of so many leaders in the African American community. Since my first job working for Mayor Tom Bradley, I have worked with many of these leaders for social justice, good jobs, safe streets, affordable housing and better schools," said Greuel. "I will be a mayor for all of Los Angeles. Our South Los Angeles office will help us reach out to voters across the city. I look forward to continuing to partner with these leaders to make sure every resident of Los Angeles has a chance to succeed."
The endorsements add to Greuel's strong support across the city. Greuel has earned endorsements from U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, Congresswoman Janice Hahn, Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez, State Senators Fran Pavley and Alex Padilla, Assemblymembers Bonnie Lowenthal, Felipe Fuentes and Nancy Skinner, Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina, Congressman-elect and Los Angeles City Councilmember Tony Cardenas, Los Angeles City Councilmembers Bill Rosendahl and José Huizar, former City Controllers Laura Chick and Rick Tuttle, former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg, civil rights icon Dolores Huerta, and Houston Mayor Annise Parker.
In addition, Greuel's campaign has formed Latinos with Wendy, Women with Wendy, Korean Americans with Wendy, Armenians with Wendy, Valley Leaders with Wendy, and Conservationists with Wendy committees. Greuel has also earned support from 11 labor unions.
For more information about the Wendy Greuel for Mayor campaign, click here: www.wendygreuel.org/
*Titles for identification purposes only.