Alafia Voices of the African Diaspora Alafia Voices of the African Diaspora (AVOTAD)

Jo-Lynn Herbert is a licensed Social Worker who continues to have the honor to provide support and insights during times of mental health crisis as a therapist. Miss. Herbert is also an author of two published books that are part of a book series titled, "Jo-Lynn's Written Expressions," that has received great reviews. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from Adelphi University and has a BA in Sociology from Herbert Lehman College and has received Honors in Psychology.

Born and raised in The Bronx of New York she has worked in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Brooklyn as an assessment case manager and worked as a Clinical Social Worker at Scripps Mercy Hospital here in San Diego, CA and has received awards from patient's, patient's families as well as medical providers and co-workers and has worked at Mesa College, SD as an Adjunct therapist. She has worked in the field with the homeless population, mental health, mandated sex offenders, alcohol and other substances use, in-patient group facilitator, manager of a dementia unit, school health, and currently is a therapist in New Mexico.

Miss. Herbert is exposed to concerns of race, safety, violence, and family dynamics as well as a host of social and mental issues. She provides a therapeutic practice of thought-provoking encouragement, guidance, insight, and a collaborator to guide individuals opportunities to raise awareness of personal growth and safety.

Miss. Herbert is guided to write about pressing issues through an expressive poetic gesture to deeply guide readers' to be sparked with new perspectives and energy to rise above the coping.

Alex is a New Jersey native. He previously worked at United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey and as a Medicaid Specialist at HRSI. Alex has worked on numerous political campaigns for local, state, and federal candidates, served as his local committee person for 4 years, and ran for political office in 2018. Before moving to Philadelphia he worked in the Washington DC Public School Chancellor’s Office, in the Office of Teaching and Learning, where he managed the Scholastic Arts and Writing program for the Director of Arts Education. Alex has an Associate’s Degree from Community College of the District of Columbia and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and he is currently pursuing his Bachelor’s Degree at Temple University. Alex was honored by Billy Penn making their list of “Who’s Next in Politics: 19 young people making a difference in Philly” and was selected as a Victory Institute 2017 Empowerment Fellow and an Organizing for Action (OFA) Fellow/Fellow Manager. Alex Deering joined the SeniorLAW Center, which is a statewide legal nonprofit in PA, in 2019 as Administrative Coordinator and Co-chairs their Diversity and Inclusion committee. Alex Deering also has a live webcast "Talks with Alex that premiers every Tuesday at 8 pm Est.

Wangui Hymes (she/her) is a healer-activist born and raised in the south Bay Area of California. After graduating in 2016 with a degree in Chemistry from Spelman College, she moved back to the Bay to pursue a career in the health-tech industry. She left in 2019 after realizing that her morals were not aligned with the practices she witnessed in and around the industry. Currently, she is a part of the Mindful Living program at the Mangalam Research Center for Buddhist Languages where she hosts a podcast entitled Here We Sit with two of her fellow residents

Today we interview current City Council President Georgette Gomez and Sara Jacobs both running in the 53rd congressional district.

About our guests:

Sara Jacobs: I’m running for Congress because I believe we don’t have to settle for the way things have always been done.

This is an all-hands-on-deck time. Our children and families can’t wait for a dysfunctional Washington to start paying attention. Our country is at a defining moment, and I believe it's more important than ever to have representatives who are willing to listen to each other, respect one another, and actually get something done.

We need a new generation of leadership — leaders who represent our values, not career politicians just looking for the next step up.

Like many women running all across the country, this isn’t the path I had envisioned for myself. But this is the path that this moment demands. Because our future depends on it.

We must act boldly to address climate change, end the epidemic of gun violence plaguing our schools and communities, fight for housing that’s affordable for everyone and health care as a human right, increase access to affordable childcare, and defend access to reproductive care.

With everything in Washington feeling so broken, we have an opportunity to lead a movement for change here in San Diego. We can convince people that government can be a force for good in their lives, that they can trust institutions. But not when Congress fails to get things done. We need a government that is accountable, accessible, and transparent. We need Members of Congress who work for our community instead of fighting for time in front of the camera. And we need leaders who can look at old problems and find new solutions. I won’t accept a dime of corporate PAC money — because San Diegans deserve a Congresswoman who doesn’t answer to anyone but them.

I went to public schools here in San Diego. And growing up here, I know that I’ve had opportunities that many others haven’t. I believe it is my responsibility to make our system fairer, which is why I’ve dedicated my life to public service and to ensuring that everyone has access to the opportunities that they deserve, regardless of where they live, what they look like, or who they love.

I want to serve the people of San Diego in Congress because I love my home. And I know, together, we can build the future we deserve.

Georgette Gomez

Georgette is running to fight for our values in Congress and is supporting bold policies like Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, defending immigrants’ rights, ending mass incarceration, and so much more.

Georgette made history as the first queer Latina to be elected San Diego City Council President, and she’s ready to make history once again when elected to Congress.

Imam Taha Hassane is the director of the Islamic Center of San Diego, where he has served as Imam since 2004. As a faith leader, he has joined forces with Catholic, Jewish and Protestant leaders and nonreligious organizations to address issues such as immigration, homelessness, racial injustice, and worker wages.

Imam Taha Hassane Named KPBS Community Hero For His Efforts To Address Politically Sensitive Issues

https://www.kpbs.org/news/2018/jun/01/imam-taha-hassane-selected-kpbs-community-hero-his/