A resident of the 52nd District for more than 10 years, Justine is a renter who calls Silver Lake home, and has raised her child in this district.

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Born in the Bronx, NY, to parents of Puerto Rican and Afro-Latina descent, Justine became profoundly aware at an early age of the inequality many communities face. Growing up in a working-class family, Justine understands the tough choices so many families have to make. Her life experiences taught her how to fight and advocate for herself and others in need.

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After moving to Los Angeles as a teen, Justine graduated from Chatsworth High School in the San Fernando Valley. Like so many first-generation college students in California today, she struggled to pursue her college degree while facing financial challenges — having to choose between paying rent, buying food or making tuition. Despite those challenges, she found her calling in public service when she served as a Legislative Aide to LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa where

she helped put together the City's first LGBT Heritage Month and manage intergovernmental relations for the Administration. She would continue this work in Mayor Garcetti's administration as External Affairs Coordinator and LGBT Liaison.

 

After earning a reputation as a coalition builder and change maker in Los Angeles City Hall, Justine went on to work for the Los Angeles LGBT Center and Equality California to fight anti-LGBT legislation, hate violence, and discrimination. She was selected to serve as President of the City of Los Angeles' Human Relations Commission under Mayor Garcetti. 

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Continuing nearly 15 years of public service and community advocacy, Justine currently fights for access to quality public schools throughout Los Angeles County and is the mother to nine year old CJ. Just as she broke new ground as the first Transgender person appointed to the City's Human Relations Commission, Justine will break new ground in Sacramento by being the first Transgender woman elected to the California State Assembly.