Jessica was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles.  Inspired by hearing her father’s experiences growing up as an immigrant in South Central during the crack-cocaine epidemic, she pursued her BA in Politics from the University of San Francisco.

After graduating, she began her professional career as an organizer in South Central LA to create equitable communities rooted in justice.  She recently graduated from UCLA’s Master’s Program in Urban and Regional Planning and has been working with residents to develop grassroots community-driven policies.

She is currently the Director of Policy at TRUST South LA, where she has worked towards passing Measure ULA, SB 679, and other state bills in pursuit of preserving and promoting affordable housing, tenant protections, and advancing community land trust and social housing models.