While former two-tern Compton Mayor Omar Bradley had strong support from many residents – and the City’s Fire Department he also carried some baggage with him including being charged and convicted of misappropriation of public funds.…which was later reversed by an appeals court. Newcomer Aja Brown garnered support from many young people. She and her husband Van served as Youth Director’s for their church “Faith Inspirational Missionary Baptist Church” a church that has a mission of “taking back the City of Compton” from the drugs, gangs, prostitution and other negative ailments within the City. The Church has for many years been actively involved with outreach efforts such as providing movie in the park events for residents, feeding the hungry, painting senior’s houses, adopting local schools, and much more.
But the 31 year old Aja Brown is also equipped with a master’s degree in urban planning from USC, and has 10 years of local government experience with cities in L.A. County (including Compton) where she brought over $2.3 million into Compton improving the city’s credit rating. And she is the founder of Urban Vision, a Compton Community Development Corporation. Aja’s mom (Brenda Jackson) graduated from Compton High School. So although she’s a newcomer to this level of politics she is smart and has knowledge of how local government works.
In addition to the Mayor’s race, the 2nd district Council seat was in play between longtime councilwoman Lillie Dobson and 26 year old Isaac Galvin, the youngest person and first latino elected in the city. This year’s particular changing of the guard in Compton is a sign that its residents want to move in a direction of diversity, unity, and peace. Now that’s an education for us all.