Herb Wesson

Early life and career

Wesson was born in Cleveland, Ohio on November 11, 1951. He has one younger brother.

He received his undergraduate degree in history from Lincoln University in 1999. While Wesson was a student he was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

Prior to his service in the California State Assembly, Wesson served as the chief-of-staff to former Los Angeles City Councilmember Nate Holden and as the chief-of-staff to former Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne Burke. After being termed out of the Assembly, he became a senior adviser and special assistant to Burke. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

State assembly

Wesson served in the California State Assembly, representing the 47th district from 1998 until 2004. He was unanimously elected Speaker of the California State Assembly in 2002 and served in the role until 2004. He was the second African-American to be elected Speaker of the California Assembly. His legislative agenda focused on education, environmental protection and healthcare.

City council

On November 8, 2005, Wesson was elected with almost 80% of the vote to represent the 10th Council District in the Los Angeles City Council, in a special election to fill the vacancy created when Martin Ludlow resigned to become head of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. The 10th Council District is located in central and South Los Angeles, and includes the neighborhoods of Koreatown, Little Bangladesh, West Adams, Jefferson Park, Wilshire Center, South Robertson, Arlington Heights, Leimert Park, Faircrest Heights, Gramercy Park and parts of Baldwin Hills.

Wesson won a full term in March 2007 with 99.7% of the vote. He was reelected in 2011 and again in 2015. He was elected as President of the City Council in 2012.

Economic development

On June 3, 2015 Wesson led the City Council to pass an ordinance that would raise L.A.’s minimum wage to $15 by 2020.

In July 2015 he created a committee that would address how Los Angeles could be more business-friendly. He currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on Comprehensive Job Creation.

Wesson has helped secure various developments in the 10th Council District. Among them are Midtown Crossing, Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw Medical Offices, District Square, and Cumulus.

Race relations

On October 20, 2016 Wesson announced the creation of embRACE L.A., a program to engage Angelenos in a conversation on race, ethnicity and diversity. He partnered with Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell to create the program. On April 25, 2017 Wesson invited over 20 members of the community to dinner at his home to discuss embRACE L.A. and race in Los Angeles.

Olympic bid

Wesson has been working with City Council, Mayor Eric Garcetti and LA24 on preparations for the bid to host the 2024 Olympic Games. President Wesson chaired the City Council's Ad Hoc Committee on the 2024 Summer Olympics. On January 25, 2017 he voted in favor of final approval of L.A.’s Host City Bid. Following the news that L.A. would bid on the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Wesson and the City Council voted unanimously in favor of the new proposal . On September 13, 2017, Los Angeles was officially named as the host of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Marijuana

On November 8, 2017, Proposition 64, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, was passed in Los Angeles. Following its passage, Wesson has taken a lead in determining the regulations and rules for Los Angeles' commercial cannabis industry. On June 8, 2017 Wesson and Councilmembers Bob Blumenfield, Paul Koretz and Nury Martinez released City Council's Proposed Requirements for Commercial Cannabis Activity.

Immigration

Following the 2016 presidential election, Wesson announced his opposition to the toughening of federal immigration laws. On November 23, 2017 he sent a letter to members of the City Council outlining his intent to create a new Ad Hoc Committee on Immigrant Affairs, the creation of the position of Immigrant Advocate, protect Los Angeles residents from mass deportations and ensure the Los Angeles continue to be eligible for all grants, loans and federal funding.

On December 19, 2016, the City Council created a $10 million fund to provide legal assistance for Los Angeles residents facing deportation

On January 20, 2017, Wesson led the City Council in approving the hiring of an "immigrant advocate". On April 20, 2017 Peter Schey was appointed to the position.

In April 2017, Wesson welcomed a delegation of governors from Mexico to discuss the relationship between Los Angeles and Mexican states. He concluded the dialogue by making each member of the delegation an honorary citizen in the City of Los Angeles.

Technology

Under Wesson's leadership, the City of Los Angeles created OurCycle L.A., a digital inclusion program designed to take advantage of the thousands of salvage computers from the City of Los Angeles. The program refurbishes city-owned computers and distributes them to low-income individuals citywide. Since its inception, OurCycle L.A. has distributed nearly $70,000 in technology and diverted almost $100,000 in E-waste.

Camp Wesson

Every year Wesson, in partnership with the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks treats approximately 150 children from disadvantaged communities to a camping trip at Hansen Dam. Camp Wesson is a 3-day, 2-night sleepover excursion offering urban students the opportunity to experience the outdoors and participate in a wide range of camp activities including horseback riding, archery, wall-climbing and paddle boarding all free of charge to families. Wesson also provides student campers with a set of camping gear including new clothing and swimsuits and a sleeping bag.

Movies in the park

Each summer Wesson hosts several screenings in the 10th Council District of various family-friendly flicks. Dubbed “Movies in the Park”, the series provides a fun and safe environment for all ages. In addition to the movie screenings, Wesson provides all attendees with a meal, drink, popcorn, candy and a raffle drawing. Each year, the series sees thousands of attendees across the four film screenings.

Winter Wonderland

Once a year, Wesson partners with community sponsors and volunteers to host a fun day of winter games for children of the 10th Council District. Wesson’s Winter Wonderland includes a tobogganing course made from real snow, holiday themed arts and crafts, lunch and an appearance from Santa Claus. Wesson also gives toys to all attendees and raffles off larger prizes such as bicycles. In December 2015 Wesson gave computers to 350 families.

L.A. city employee appreciation lunch

Every year Wesson hosts an annual luncheon for L.A. City employees. The appreciation luncheon is regularly attended by nearly 500 employees. The luncheon is hosted at Wesson's district office and guests traditionally eat ribs, tacos, hamburgers, and specialty ethnic foods prepared by restaurants throughout the 10th Council District.