My Bio
I’m Adriana Cabrera. I was raised in South Central Los Angeles District 9, on 49th & Avalon and 48th & Compton, and this community made me who I am.
I grew up translating for my parents, at doctor’s appointments, school meetings, and government offices, because access was never guaranteed for them. My parents only achieved a second grade level of education in Puebla Mexico, they worked as costureros, working in a sweatshop, earning two cents a piece. That’s where I learned what exploitation looks like, and why education is a tool for survival, dignity, and freedom.
I grew up in a one-bedroom apartment, stretching every dollar and taking care of one another. At 13 years old, I got my first job selling shoes at the Alameda Swapmeet, because in South Central, you don’t wait for opportunity. You work for it.
For more than 20 years, I’ve turned my lived experience into action. I co-founded Empowering Youth in South Central, supporting over 6,000 students on their college and career journeys. Helped build the Dream Resource Center at LA Trade-Tech so immigrant and first-generation students wouldn’t have to navigate higher education alone. During COVID, when government failed to show up; I did, helping deliver PPE, food, and essential resources to 5,600+ neighbors.
I’ve worked both inside and outside City Hall, not to play politics, but to make government work for everyday people. Today, I serve as President of the Central Alameda Neighborhood Council and as a Region 9 Budget Advocate, pushing to make sure city dollars actually reach the communities that need them most.
At age 23, I earned my degrees from Cal State Northridge in Chicana/o Studies, Public Policy & Management, and Education Administration. I am also a candidate for Juris Doctorate at Laverne College.
I’m running for Los Angeles City Council because I love South Central, the community that raised me, and I refuse to accept a future where working families are pushed out, exploited, and ignored. I am ready to fight for investment without displacement, housing people can afford, jobs in our neighborhoods, and city dollars going to residents and small businesses, not corporations or special interests.
This campaign is funded by the people I seek to serve.
Powered by neighbors who are done waiting their turn. Join us.
INVESTMENT WITHOUT DISPLACEMENT. DISTRICT 9 FIRST.
Government is supposed to listen to the people, and act on what we need. For too long, that hasn’t happened in South Central.
After 16+ years organizing, canvassing, sharing resources, and listening to my neighbors, this platform reflects what I hear every day in City Council District 9: people want to stay in their homes, earn a living wage, feel safe, and see real investment, not displacement.
This is The People’s Demand:
My Key Issues
Economic Justice & Local Jobs
Poverty Is Violence. What’s happening: Too many people in District 9 work full-time and still can’t afford rent. Small businesses and workers are being left behind while corporations profit. I will fight for: *Create the first-ever Labor Educational Center in District 9 *Create a Legal Aid Resource Hub to teach residents about their workers, immigration, and housing rights. *Support workers who want to unionize * Partner with local colleges and universities to support small businesses and entrepreneurs * Bring living-wage jobs to our neighborhood, not just low-wage work Good Jobs. Fair Wages. Right Here at Home.
Housing & Homelessness
Homes for People, Not Corporations. What’s happening: District 9 is a renter-majority community, yet City Hall policies protect developers; not tenants. Families are being priced out, and homelessness continues to rise. I will fight for: * Declare homelessness a state of emergency * Pause luxury developments causing displacement while our neighbors are unhoused * Invest in Community Land Trusts so residents can own land and housing *Expand homeownership programs for working families * Create clear, accessible education for tenants, landlords, and property managers about housing rights and responsibilities *Analyze how housing programs impact families facing displacement and fix what isn’t working Housing Is a Human Right. Period.
District 9 First: Local Contracting & Community Wealth
Our Dollars Should Work for Us. What’s happening: City money leaves our district while outside vendors get rich. Meanwhile, local talent and businesses are overlooked. I will Fight for: * Local hire and local contracting for city projects * Prioritize District 9 businesses, workers, and nonprofits * Invest in community-led organizations already doing the work *Build development with residents, not around them District 9 First: Always.
Wellness, Public Health & Environmental Justice
Healthy Communities Are Safe Communities. What’s happening: South Central has fewer trees, less green space, food deserts, and higher pollution. COVID hit our community harder than most—and the recovery hasn’t reached everyone. I will fight for: * More parks, trees, and green spaces * Building the South LA Wetlands Park wellness hub * Support community gardens and urban farms * Expand access to healthy food * Invest in mental health services and trauma-informed care * Create green jobs and training programs * Support solar and clean energy education * Declare trash and unsanitary streets an emergency, restructure public work services that honors the urgent needs of our community, Clean Air. Healthy Food. Strong Communities.
Safety & City Services That Actually Work
Care, Prevention, and Accountability. What’s happening: Broken streetlights, slow service response, unsafe streets, and over-policing have failed our community, especially Black and Brown residents. I will fight to: * Fix basic 311 services quickly and consistently * Invest in community-based safety and violence prevention * Deploy mental health response teams for nonviolent crises *Improve public transportation safety and accessibility * End abusive policing practices and demand accountability Safety Means Care, not Fear.
Youth, Education & the Future
Our Youth Are the Investment What’s happening: Thousands of young people in District 9 face poverty, hunger, and housing insecurity. While the City has a Youth Development Department, it’s underfunded and not reaching our neighborhoods at the scale we need. At the same time, our libraries, parks, and public spaces are underused, while technology and innovation pass our community by. What we demand: * Fully fund and expand the City’s Youth Development Department * Invest in youth programs, college access, and paid career pathways * Turn libraries and parks into hubs for learning, wellness, arts, healing, and innovation 8Expand access to technology, digital skills, and AI education so our youth can compete and lead *Support community-led organizations already doing this work on the ground * Invest early, because prevention, education, and opportunity change lives Fund Youth. Build Futures. Heal Communities.
Send Me a Message
Have questions or suggestions? I would love to hear from you!