Candidate for
Council Member; City of South San Francisco; 4 Year Term

At an early age Maurice was inspired to lead a life of service and advocacy. It was during a Christmas toy drive when he met the then Mayor of San Francisco Dianne Feinstein. On this day the Mayor handed Maurice a bicycle and a new take on compassion. A product of the housing projects in the Fillmore District, Maurice was both excited and grateful that someone such as the Mayor + with a multitude of things on her schedule + had taken the time to show up and provide hope where most thought there was none.

The Mayor was soft spoken and caring toward the youth. It was that display of compassion that led Maurice to be interested in leadership opportunities. From a young age Maurice has displayed a calming demeanor and has encouraged consensus while being a voice for those that otherwise would not have one. While his encounter with Mayor Feinstein was brief, Maurice's life of stewardship and community service is forever linked to this significant memory.

Maurice Goodman, now a father and husband, worked as a Legal Professional for over eight years prior to turning to a career in educational leadership and youth development. After completing degrees in Administration of Justice and Paralegal Studies at Skyline College he went on to California State University, Hayward (now CSU East Bay) where he received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. He currently serves as the Visitacion Valley Clubhouse Director for Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco.

As a native of the Bay Area, Maurice has been a consistent figure in the community with years of leadership experience. He drafted a Community Empowerment and Crime Prevention Action Plan, which he presented to San Francisco community leaders and politicians as a suggested avenue to combat crime and poverty in the inner city. Ongoing he works with local and state officials to promote a better quality of life for individuals in the urban community.

As a founding member of Bayview Hunters Point Mobilization for Adolescent Growth in Our Communities (BMAGIC), a non-profit organization created by San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi, Maurice assisted in the planning and implementation of a 3,500 backpack give-a-way program and annual youth literacy fair.

There is no surprise that while Maurice served as President of the Board of Education December 2010 - December 2011, there were multiple watershed moments in the history of the South San Francisco Unified School District. He pushed to revamp each and every Board Policy and made them available on-line providing more access to information for the community. Policy changes included an anti-bulling policy that continues to make our schools safer for every student, teacher or staff regardless of race, gender identity or religion.

Maurice ensured that every meeting during his tenure as President was in a large venue that was welcoming to all, providing translation and childcare when needed. He also assisted and provided leadership in the planning and approval of the "Measure J Bond" program that will make our District more energy efficient, saving millions of dollars that will go right back into our classrooms.

Additionally, as a result of his leadership there will be two new schools built along with the permanent replacement of all portable classrooms and 2 state of the art athletic facilities. In connection, Maurice spear-headed the campaign that led to the District to receive one of only 13 national grants from the NFL and the 49ers in particular.

Of the many accomplishments Maurice had while on the School Board, his proudest contribution connects to the amount of in-house promotions and diversity in hiring that were made possible as a result of his leadership as President where he was the deciding vote in the hiring of a new superintendent. Maurice displayed great wisdom and persuaded the Board to hire a firm that subsequently brought-on District Superintendent Hogan.

Below are a few of Maurice Goodman's current and formal titles:

Clerk, South San Francisco Unified School District Board

Board Member, Renaissance Parents of Success

Former President, South San Francisco Unified School District Board

Former Class President & Graduate, Jefferson High School

Former Student Body President, Skyline College

Former Student Trustee, San Mateo County Community College District

Former African Student Alliance President, Skyline College

Former Chair, California Student Association of Community Colleges Black Caucus

Former Regional Chair, California Student Association of Community Colleges

Founding Member, Community Non-Profit "BMAGIC"

Volunteer Coach, Daly City Titans Youth Football Association

Former PTA Member, Spruce Elementary School

Site Council Member, Buri Buri Elementary School

Member, Martin Luther King / Marcus Garvey Crime Prevention & Community Empowerment Committee

Former CEO, "Made & Owned By Brothers" (small clothing company)

Volunteer, Former County Chair, American Red Cross Bay Area

Representative, San Bruno & Pacifica City Safety Committee

With your support and votes, Maurice Goodman will be the next and first ever elected African American Council Member for the great City of South San Francisco in over 100 years. He has the proven leadership, experience, compassion and understanding to continue to move us forward while preserving our rich traditions.

A personal statement from Mr. Goodman:

Taken from legal and social struggle of overcoming racial and ethnic discrimination, the term diversity; is a term covering a broad range of issues and activities. As a survivor of poverty and a parent of bi-racial children I see everyday the need for and the importance of sensitivity to individuals with varying abilities and from different ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds as well as sexual orientation in our society. I have lived through discrimination, and working in the corporate world I have seen others suffer due to lack of respect and sensitivity to their diverse needs. As a community advocate, I have stood up for those who can not stand on their own and spoken out for those who had no voice and it is these experiences that lead me to believe that for there to be true diversity and sensitivity to matters of diversity there must first be true representation of all involved and they must be given every opportunity to succeed and thrive in society. I can and will, if given the chance, exercise sensitivity, respect and empowerment of all individuals of the community of South San Francisco.

I believe that my experience and energy will bring fresh/new ideas to a system that admittedly is working well but could use an influx of knowledge from someone such as myself.

As your Council Member I will be fiscally responsible, responsive to our community and be a responsible steward and advocate for sustainable growth, an improved workforce and bringing the "community" back to South San Francisco.

Thank you for your time and consideration to my candidacy for this position.

Sincerely, Maurice D. Goodman