Local
The Dr. Beatriz María Solís Policy Institute (SPI) Local is a policy advocacy and leadership training fellowship designed for genderqueer and non-binary individuals, cisgender and transgender women, and transgender men who are eager to develop their skills in shaping public policy at the local government level.
For the SPI Local Class of 2025, we are exclusively recruiting residents of Los Angeles County or individuals who work primarily with communities within the county. Applicants will choose a specific issue area and will be placed on a team focused on influencing local government policies related to their chosen area.
Previous SPI-Local Issue Areas:
The Women’s Foundation California’s Solís Policy Institute (SPI) focuses on shaping just policies that will positively impact the lives of non-binary and genderqueer people, cisgender and transgender women, and transgender men in California. SPI-Local aims to feature teams working to address racism, anti-Blackness, and cis-hetero-patriarchy through the following specific areas:
Focused on eliminating anti-Black racism, our team works to reimagine child safety and support families in crisis in Los Angeles County beyond the family regulation system, inaccurately known as child welfare, with an ultimate goal of disbanding the system.
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Reshona Benjamin
Board Member, Parenting For Liberation
Keshia Adeniyi-Dorsey
Founder,Family Justice Tribe
Jay Brissette
Community Organizer,Parenting For Liberation
Based in southern Santa Cruz County, our team partners with youth to support the development of restorative justice policies in our school districts.
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Sofia Cuentas
Community Health Policy Coordinator, Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance
Jazmin Ponce
Community Engagement Manager, Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County
Crystal Gonzalez
Senior Policy Analyst, Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance
Focused on the primarily Spanish-speaking Alisal Union School District, our Community Health team works to create stronger family connections to the school district through accessible and equitable early childhood programming and preschool enrollment.
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Erika Arreola
Community Organizer,First 5 Monterey County
Gaby Silva
Community Organizer,First 5 Monterey County
Working across Los Angeles County, we promote just transition policy that protects our workforce, encourages a just economy, and addresses the intersections of mass incarceration, climate change, COVID-19, and racial inequity.
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Michaé De La Cuadra
B2SL Campaign Coordinator,Californians United for A Responsible Budget
Bryanna Siguenza
Judicial Accountability Coordinator,La Defensx
Megan Castillo
Re-Imagine LA Coalition Coordinator,La Defensa