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I have early memories of my dad, still in his work clothes, holding my hand as we walk down the block to deliver a meal my mom made, borrow a tool or help move something heavy. I carry that with me when I’m out knocking on doors and talking with people about their concerns and vision for the city I now lead as mayor. 

Growing up in a working-class neighborhood, I learned a lot about leadership from my parents and the way they defined community for me and my siblings. In addition to raising their children and working full-time factory jobs, they were the kind of people who took us with them to check in on neighbors and to lend a hand when needed. And, like many first-generation families in the United States, they maintained close ties with extended family to build a safety net and instill a sense of culture and legacy in the next generation.

Diversity, equity and inclusion are buzzwords that swim all around us. But how we define and put these principles into action comes from somewhere deep inside. For me, it’s my parents’ legacy that inspires me to enact policies that empower constituents, like scheduling town halls in every district in West Sacramento.

Public engagement has always been central to my leadership, so it’s thrilling that the city is now also gathering community feedback through a survey process. The feedback is used to inform decision-making and ensure that any resulting policy lines up with the needs of the whole community, including those who have historically been left behind.

West Sacramento is a young city, but it is fortunate to have a long history of dynamic leadership supporting its growth. Now it’s time to circle back and begin the process of ensuring that each step forward is lifting every boat. One such project has been working with the Bryte and Broderick Community Action Network to rehabilitate Bryte Park and restore a community pool that will be enjoyed by the next generation of children growing up on the northern end of town. 

Local leaders in partnership with BBCAN were able to use the group’s gathered data detailing the prioritized needs and wants of the residents to secure $30 million in state and federal funding sources to realize a long-held dream. The stakeholder meetings were reopened, expediting the West Sacramento Bryte Park Master Plan, and soon the community will enjoy enhanced safety lighting, an all-weather soccer field, an aquatics facility, a dog park, an outdoor amphitheater and ample green space for families to gather and play. It’s these kinds of grassroots wins that strengthen my resolve to see public engagement take on a strong foothold in the city’s future development. 

Another example is in the area of affordable housing and the significant steps we’ve taken to expand our available inventory. We have designed initiatives to provide housing opportunities for single parents committed to furthering their education, seniors on fixed incomes and families that qualify in the low-income bracket. We’ve also ensured that those who seek a sense of community find a safe place through Recovery Cafe West Sacramento, an organization that supports individuals suffering from trauma, addiction and other mental health issues. 

Then there’s Home Run, a legacy program that we have been able to bolster with a workforce development component and features partnerships with local businesses and financial assistance for postsecondary education and training. And through a partnership with Yolo County First 5, the Welcome Baby program makes in-home prenatal care available for new mothers.

Food security is also being addressed through a partnership with the Center for Land-Based Learning, resulting in a network of urban farms that produce and distribute thousands of pounds of fresh produce. A refrigerated farmers market on wheels makes scheduled visits to strategically selected parts of the city where food insecurity has been identified as a chronic issue. These programs are bringing nutrition where it’s needed most and also breaking cycles of poverty.

Equity in action means providing consistent and clear avenues for access and engagement. In West Sacramento, we are working to make every aspect of local government, from public facilities and infrastructure to digital platforms, more accessible and inclusive for people of all abilities. Another access point is the rollout of what will be an annual Community Academy program designed to offer residents an opportunity to learn how their local government is structured and, more importantly, how to navigate and advocate within it.  

We are committed to equity in action in West Sacramento, and that is demonstrated in a willingness to adapt and grow in ways that meet the evolving needs of our community, while installing reliable mechanisms for tracking accountability and measuring progress. 

My leadership journey has been one commitment to empowering people to take action, and it is my greatest hope that this will continue in the next generation of leaders of a maturing city that continues to dream big. We hold so much promise on our horizon. 

Martha Guerrero was first elected mayor of West Sacramento in 2020 and was re-elected in 2024. A licensed clinical social worker, she was elected to City Council in 2018 and over the years has held many advisory seats within Yolo County.

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