Mayor Racquel Vasquez On The Practice Of Community Service

BY: LA Tribune Editorial Team

As the first African American woman elected and re-elected to serve as Mayor of the City of Lemon Grove, California, Mayor Racquel Vasquez transformed city politics through positive engagements with citizens of every demographic and background. Aside from creating an atmosphere of transparency and responsibility in government that promotes well-being and creates opportunities for every resident, she focused city efforts on improving public safety, access to food and health services, and finding solutions to the problems of poverty and homelessness.

Born in Los Angeles, Mayor Vasquez grew up with a strong sense of community and the ideal of public service as her goal. This is why she has mastered the craft of responsible government while inspiring people with her commitment to good values, open-heartedness, and a dedication to civic morality that elevates her character's role in leadership. Her experience and achievements have demonstrated how the love of one's neighbors can be a creative and enriching way of life.

Mayor Vasquez learned the value of service as a wife for nearly 30 years to Jose, a 24-year Navy veteran, and as the mother of two successful daughters. A graduate of Cal State Northridge with a degree in Communications, she has served 25 years in community relations and leadership in city government.

Education has been and remains vital to the Vasquez family. Her daughter, Joquel, has a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and a master’s in educational leadership from San Diego State University; and Raven has a BA in criminology and justice.

In addition to nurturing her family and career, Vasquez has invested much of her boundless energy as a volunteer in community health projects and promoting social justice. As Mayor, she has directed government resources toward improving the quality of life for Lemon Grove residents and visitors, and she has endeavored to improve the city's relationship with regional commercial and industrial enterprises. She has made significant progress in creating greater transparency and accountability in the city budget process (reversing 20 years of deficit spending) and refocusing government operations to improve public safety and maintain city properties and streets.

In these days of moral uncertainty, Mayor Vasquez believes that it is not enough to govern well - one must also be an effective leader and a reliable example of commitment to the well-being of all residents regardless of background or economic status. Though necessarily linked, governance and leadership require different talents and skills.

As Mayor of a dynamic Southern Californian city, governing Lemon Grove is a priority. That means setting a forward-looking civic agenda, organizing political and regional resources to advance that agenda, dealing constructively with opposition, and fostering public interest and support. Technical competency is essential to sustaining and improving the effectiveness of city government and its essential services. But without conscientious, dedicated, and innovative leadership, the job is only half done.

To Mayor Vasquez, leadership is a commitment to the common good. It is weaving the interests of the various elements of a diverse community into a coherent organization that emphasizes safety, prosperity, and strategic development. Today, Lemon Grove is a culturally diverse community, with long-established Black, Latino, Asian, and White populations living and working together, with strong family and religious traditions and a deep commitment to providing their children a quality education and a well-ordered place to live.

However, Mayor Vasquez understands that the government can only do so much to develop a thriving community and that the opportunities for planning, growing, and serving together build the human part of a healthy city. As such, she founded Thrive Lemon Grove, a volunteer charitable and educational organization that brings people together to build a better and healthier way of life for local adults and their children.

Among Thrive Lemon Grove's contributions to that end are: The Lemon Grove Community Garden, which allows residents to share the opportunity of growing their own healthy foods; monthly food distribution events that provide families in need free basic nutrition; a Multicultural Project to celebrate Lemon Grove’s healthy diversity; Anti-Human-Trafficking forums, to inform citizens about the dangers of human trafficking, and to end the exploitation of women and children; and a Girls Empowerment Project that helps middle-school girls build confidence, character, and positive goals.

Community leadership is developed in the practice of community service. Mayor Vasquez demonstrates in her purpose, commitment, and energetic engagement that leadership derives from one’s character. And character is something one builds through constructive goals, hard work, education, perseverance, and a kind and expanding love for people. It is often remarked that Lemon Grove has the best climate on earth, which is likely true, but it is also true that Lemon Grove has Mayor Racquel Vasquez, who is optimistic, committed, and caring.

About the Author:

Mayor Racquel Vasquez proudly serves the City of Lemon Grove as a historic Mayor. She is the first African American Female Mayor to be elected in the City of Lemon Grove and the County of San Diego in 2016 and was re-elected Mayor in 2020.