Candidate for
Member of the State Assembly; District 59

Rodney D. Robinson was born the fourth child of five to a single mother in Indianapolis, Indiana. Robinson has experienced the negative effects of poverty and the consequences of special education misdiagnosis and tracking, but has always had good mentors and teachers around him who provided encouragement and solid counsel. In 1991, Robinson moved to Atlanta, Georgia to pursue a life of public service. As an introduction to the world of servant leadership, Robinson began his mission as an Activities Director for a local community center. Later he was hired by the Youth Taskforce of Clark Atlanta University to organize and promote community and college crusades. Robinson was hired as an artist's manager and inked a major deal with an independent label, and continued to stay true to his life's calling by staying active in the community, volunteering in his neighborhood, and donating funds to non-profit organizations. Robinson also invested his time and energies into visiting churches and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to help organize fundraisers and talent shows for the community. In 2002, Robinson relocated to Los Angeles to pursue his education. He continued event planning and fundraising for the Compton Community Center. But as he became more involved in school, Robinson appealed to his moral obligation and veered away from entertainment, and more into full-time community activism. As Robinson's leadership opportunities continued to blossom, he felt more of a responsibility to become a role model within his community. Even record executives realized that Robinson had a higher calling, and encouraged him to travel down a different road from that of gangster rap music production. With the support of his community and colleagues, Robinson refocused and reignited his attentions toward public service. With a strong background in community service and Community Planning and Economic Development, Robinson has worked with numerous community organizations, such as, Green Corps, Hosea Williams' Feed the Hungry & Homeless Foundation, Elton John's AIDS Walk, WRFG 89.3 community radio, AmeriCorps, Community Development Technology Center (CDTech), Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Clergy Council under the direction of Bishop Edward R. Turner of Power of Love Christian Fellowship, and the Los Angeles Community Coalition. Robinson also revitalized LA Trade Tech College's Black Student Union's Spirit of Excellence awards banquet that recognizes community and political members who have made positive contributions to society. Each year, traditionally for Thanksgiving and Christmas, Robinson works--on his own time--to help prepare meals for residents in Compton, California. He also brings in the New Year with the Hope for Life Foundation's Annual Community Day, helping to feed thousands of people and offering beneficial resources to the community. Most recently, Robinson has focused much of his energies on community college activism. In 2009, Robinson was elected student trustee member of the Los Angeles Community Colleges District's Board of Trustees. Elected by his peers, Robinson is the first African-American to be elected to the Board of Trustees from Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, and the first African-American male to serve in the office in the history of the Los Angeles Community Colleges District. As the voice for over 220,000 students, Robinson authored a resolution that recognizes the week of November 8th to the 14th as Veterans Awareness Week throughout the nation's largest community college district. As the former chair of the LATTC iTAP (Institutional Transit Access Pass) Committee, Robinson worked towards and supported the district's subsidization of the iTAP program that would provide students with low-cost Metro transit passes. Robinson is passionate about supporting issue dealing with public safety, quality of life, social justice for the elderly and the disenfranchised, and economic opportunities and justice for low income residents. As a single parent, Robinson is passionate about supporting families and keeping them together through the improvement of social programs and opportunities. He also believes in providing fair wages for the working class, making California more business-friendly, helping homeowners save their homes, providing affordable housing, eliminating Proposition 13 (the 2/3 vote), getting more job opportunities for Veterans and ex-convicts, supporting small businesses that support Veterans coming home from war, and providing assistance to nonprofits that fight for social justice. As a successful community activist, Robinson has been on the front line fighting for education rights and social justice throughout the state of California. He has led rallies on social awareness and fairness for college students, and lives what he believes: "It is not what a person receives in life, but what he gives back that is most important to make a community strong." Living a life of volunteerism, Robinson practices what he preaches. Robinson has received numerous college and community organization commendations for his leadership and exemplary service. State Assemblymember Mike Davis, of the 48th District, recognized Robinson as a consummate advocate for students and an outstanding volunteer and community worker. As a community activist, voice for the unions, and an advocate for the disenfranchised, Robinson asserts, "Twenty-four hours after being sworn in, I will form a community taskforce to begin focusing on improving our neighborhoods." Transitioning from the front lines into more decision-making roles, Robinson feels that being part of the 99% gives him a unique perspective of the needs of his community and attributes to his strong passion for public service. Robinson assures that "the same level of intense momentum that I have now, will continue when I am elected." Rodney D. Robinson, the voice of choice, is committed to empowering the disenfranchised and being the voice of the people.