Candidate for
Council Member; City of Los Angeles; District 8

About ROBERT COLE...

ROBERT COLE has lived, played, and worked in the Eighth District for over 20 years. He served as a Boy Scout at the age of eleven where he learned the value of helping other people at all times and community pride. Robert later became an Explorer with the Los Angeles Police Department at Newton Street Police Station where he devoted numerous hours to deter crime and help keep his community safe. Robert attended elementary and high school in and around the Eighth District, graduating from Crenshaw High School in the top 2% of his class, and was voted "Most Likely To Succeed" by his peers. Robert was a member of several honor organizations that represented Crenshaw High School for various community service projects. Robert also served as Student-Body president of Crenshaw High School and vice-president of D.A.S.C. (District-wide Association of Student Councils) for 52 Los Angeles Unified Schools District area high schools.

In 1982, the late honorable Mayor, Tom Bradley, told Robert that the definition of a political leader was someone who served to "prioritize the needs of others". This conversation has always been an inspiration and motivation for Robert to become an elected official. Robert was also sponsored by the American Legion to participate in Boy's State where he was able to experience the responsibilities of being an elected official through mock elections. Robert graduated from Crenshaw High School with several academic scholarships and attended Dr. Martin Luther King's alma mater, Morehouse College. He played right cornerback for the Maroon Tigers, and pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Robert was well known as a step master and his talents were showcased in Spike Lee's movie "School Daze". Robert is a homeowner in the Baldwin Hills area and a former resident of the Leimert Park and South Los Angeles communities of the Eighth District.

After Robert graduated from Morehouse College with a degree in Criminal Justice and with Spanish as a second language, he became a deputy for the United States Congress and worked on heath care and homeless issues for Congressman John Lewis. He was also sent to the nation's Capitol for special projects. This valuable experience will be utilized to uncover federal funding for underserved communities. In 1988 Robert returned to Los Angeles and became an advocate for the protection of children rights working as a Child Abuse Specialist for Charles Drew Child development Corporation. He later attended a summer law school program held at the University of San Francisco, School of Law. Robert recalls receiving additional motivational advice from his constitutional law professor Dr. Cornell West, proclaiming "whereas taxes and death are certain, standing up and making a difference or sitting back and listening are personal choices". Robert has always acted to pursue a leadership role to make a difference, and will always be at the table to stand up to make a difference.

Robert worked as a clerk for a prestigious law firm in Century City, Wyman, Bautzer Kuchel & Silbert, which later became Katten Muchin Zavis & Weitzman from 1989 to 1995. During this time, he attended law school part time at American College of law while working full time. Robert was also accepted into a law school program in Spain during the summer 1995. In 1995 Robert accepted an offer with the Lee Andrews Groups as a community outreach specialist. He was presented and accepted an offer to work as a deputy for the State Assembly member Debra Bowen for one year. Robert later resumed his position with the Lee Andrews Group and is currently the Vice President, handling public relation matters for clients such as the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, (Magic) Johnson Development Corporation, AT&T, and the Los Angeles World Airports.

Robert is currently the president of The New Leaders, a non-profit organization that acts to empower the African-American Community, Sergeant At Arms for the New Frontier Democratic Club, Chair of the Eighth District Empowerment Congress, West Area, and Second Vice-President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Morehouse College Alumni Association. He is also a member of AGENDA, a grassroots organization where he has walked countless hours and weekends to get out the vote and for voter registration.

Robert Cole is an activist and a community leader that has an extensive amount of experience on a local, state and federal level. Robert is 37 years old and married to Dr. Karen Ragland Cole.

Right Person! Right Reason! Right Plan!