SCYD E-Board 2021 Slate

Thank you to everyone who supported us and came out to vote last night!

We are honored, grateful, and excited that you have elected us to represent YOU!

We're ready to get to work. Make sure you follow us at Sacramento County Young Democrats to see updates and events!

- Your newly elected SCYD E-Board (Sabina, Emmalynn, Brit, Travis, Sergio, Carol, Ali, & Monika)

Elections are 2 days away! Are you in??

Register for the event here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUkfumopjMrE9SIy4PryvWUzhsyuJ1NCXH8

We're proud to share our platform, goals, and how we as a slate and as individual board members plan to achieve and execute our goals alongside our member's vision.

Let us know your thoughts! Our virtual door is open!

Read all about it here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IvE6_Vz6rOCkJm6xbnQfIEbTjRRXOaIP/view

California native, Amanda Gorman, became the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history this morning. Her powerful words express more than any of ours could about this day — let’s get to work.

On January 6th, we saw domestic terrorists, directed by Trump, attack the United States Capitol. Flags that symbolize the worst of this country flown high, showing us just how alive and well white supremacy is in this country. White supremacy is a virus, it’s a threat to our democracy, it’s clearly protected by our institutions, and blue lives only matter when they are preserving white supremacy. The hypocrisy and injustice of it only adds to the trauma BIPOC have experienced for centuries.

Together as a slate, we have mourned, discussed, strategized, and put together our Statement of Values with our commitment to you and Sacramento. We are only further empowered and motivated to do the work and push back against the evil we saw that day, within our organization and beyond. Please take a moment to read through and let us know what you think! We will be using these principles to guide our work and we hope to do it side by side with all of you. 💙

Meet Sabina Nussipov! She is running to be your 2021 President of Sacramento County Young Democrats.

I immigrated to the United States from Kazakhstan in 1999 with my mom and sister after the end of the Soviet Union. My dad came 3 years prior to claim asylum and set up a life here before we joined him. I was only 5 years old when we left everything we knew to reunite with my dad, he moved to the US when I was 2 so it was like meeting a complete stranger. We share a story with many immigrants, full of heartbreak, poverty, hard work, sacrifice, and finally, stability. The price is high for all of us and the challenges leave lasting scars but are also the source of our strength.

The reason I share this is to explain where my motivation stems from. When we talk about immigration policy, family separation, access to social service, access to mental health resources, access to quality healthcare, rent control, English language services, these are not just policy talking points, it’s personal. These policies are lifelines for many families like my own.

After college, I moved back in with my parents and worked at the mall while volunteering at a refugee resettlement agency. It was mid-2016 and I still believed we would have our first female president, blissfully unaware of what was to come. Shortly after, I started working at the refugee resettlement agency and Trump became the 44th President of the United States. Refugees were pushed through the pipeline at an increasing rate those last few months before inauguration, and good thing they were, because one of his first Executive Orders was the egregious Muslim Ban. In 2016, approximately 84,000 refugees were resettled, just 4 years later, this number would dwindle to 11,000.

The Muslim Ban is what finally spurred me into action. I was asked to put together an advocacy team so I organized a group of volunteers and community leaders and we started setting up meetings, writing letters, and advocating against the ban. I went to my first SCYD meeting during this time to seek guidance because I had no idea what advocacy even meant or if I was doing it right. A few incredible people stepped up and offered me support and I finally felt like something in me woke up. I realized that the country my parents idealized was built on very fragile ground and it is up to us to fight for the future we hope to see. My parents voted for the first time in 2018.

Today, I am more confident, ready to lead young dems to step up in their communities, and continue fighting for our marginalized and underrepresented communities. We have a lot of rebuilding to do and young dems need to be at the forefront of these efforts.

Current Occupation: Government Affairs Manager for Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. I’m proud of the work I do to protect tribal sovereignty and indigenous rights. As an immigrant, I know this country that offered my family safety and opportunity also has a dark history and continues to be hostile to BIPOC. I’m still learning much of this hidden history and recently Hassan Minaj said it best when he said, "When you become an American citizen you don't just get to own the country's excellence. You have to own its failures. That is the deal."

What SCYD means to you: SCYD gave me the tools, resources, and community to be able to advocate for a better world. It gave me the strength to push myself into positions of leadership both professionally and personally. As a young immigrant, I didn’t know I could be in spaces where people were making these big decisions, it’s because of SCYD and the people I met here that I started speaking up and pushing back. We have to continue being a safe, accessible, welcoming place for other young people who want to learn these skills and go forward to push progress and change. That is why our motto is “amplifying voices of young Sacramentans”. We want to hear your voice, we are strong together, and we will push towards a more just and equitable future for all.

SCYD Goals: I have many ideas of what we could accomplish, I have seen what has worked in the past four years and in what areas we need to improve. I also want to uplift the goals of my slate members, we have had extensive conversations about each of their goals and together we have created a platform I am proud of. The past three weeks you have read each of their bios and I will do everything I can to support them and the goals they have set forth.

My overarching goals are:
- Become better allies and use our platform to uplift the voices of our community activists and organizers
- Advocate for more progressive policies in areas like housing, criminal justice, and environmental justice
- Provide trainings, mentorships, and job opportunities
- Clear and timely communication
- Opportunities for members to take on leadership roles

Hobbies: Painting, hiking, camping, reading, lounging on the couch with my pup

Quirks: I am trilingual and have a crooked arm!

Pets: Remi, my lil baby pup!

Meet Brit Kelleher! She is running to be your 2021 Treasurer of Sacramento County Young Democrats.

After moving to Sacramento in December 2018, Brit quickly got involved with SCYD. The first event she ever attended was a fundraiser benefiting the local nonprofit First Step Communities. She was blown away at how welcoming everyone was - even though she didn’t know anyone. Brit was inspired by how engaged her peers were in the local political landscape and she quickly became involved in the Community Affairs and Membership committees. In 2019, she was appointed vice-chair of Community Affairs and was elected Treasurer in 2020. If re-elected, she is excited to continue on as a board member and has new ideas to build upon the strong foundation from her years of involvement!

Current Occupation: Business Development Specialist at SAFE Credit Union

What SCYD means to you: I have gained new friendships, perspectives, and skills during my time with SCYD. I want to ensure that people feel safe, comfortable, and welcome in SCYD, just like I was when I joined a few years ago! SCYD offers so many opportunities for young people to get involved in their community and we want to continue being a place to gather, share ideas, and do the work!

SCYD Goals: In my capacity as Treasurer, my goal is to host a few financial wellness training sessions this year, including training on FPPC filings. These are useful skills for everyone and in particular, anyone interested in running for office, starting their own club, or in any other political venture they may take on!

Committee Goals: Although there hasn’t typically been a committee for Treasurer, I would like to appoint a Vice-Chair to help with the FPPC filings, track donations, and host a few training sessions. As a slate, we are really focusing on how we can create a strong pipeline for future leaders of the club.

Hobbies: Working out, coaching a workout at KaiaFIT, backpacking, paddle boarding, gardening, and petting every friendly dog I see.

Quirks: Can always find a reason to smile and be positive!

Pets: No pets but I love all the pups!

Meet Emmalynn Mathis! She is running to be your 2021 VP of Membership of Sacramento County Young Democrats.

After moving to the area a few years ago and beginning my first internship in the political world, I was brought to my first SCYD meeting. At the time, I felt like an imposter in a world of suits and ties. Lucky for me, there were a few members of the club who saw something in me I didn’t at the time and reached out. After some support, a lot of learning, and a nudge or two - I made my first run for VP of Membership two years ago. Coming into the position wasn’t easy; there was a learning curve behind the scene that felt a bit like I was building the plane as I flew it. Now I’ve been in this role for two years. I’ve weathered the turbulence, gotten to know our membership, and had hard conversations about where SCYD is falling short and how we can improve. VP of Membership is a role that simply cannot have an impact without the help of a team, and I believe this team is ready to expand our reach and support our community in new ways.

Current Occupation: Policy Consultant to the Assembly Human Services Committee

What SCYD means to you: To me, SCYD should be an approachable community aimed at empowerment. As an organization, we should empower our members, our community, and Young Dems across the country to take on leadership positions and have their voices heard. Without the skills and opportunities SCYD has presented me, I would not be where or who I am. I’m running to ensure all new members receive the same support I did from this club.

SCYD Goals: Further SCYD’s reach throughout Sacramento County by fostering an approachable and inclusive environment that provides holistic support to our members and community. Over the last two years, I’ve committed to personal outreach within our membership to assess how our club is serving its base, planned and executed new interactive events, and during this challenging year, organized an outreach campaign to offer members a variety of pandemic supports. My goals for SCYD are to continue to adapt the offerings of our organization so we can serve members where they are and help them build the skills they need to get where they want!

Committee Goals: While Membership does not have a committee per se, I would like to appoint a Vice-Chair to ensure that club duties are balanced and completed efficiently. Empowering members to support the club by taking on a leadership role is a part of this slate’s platform, and we will all be announcing our plans for the role of Vice-Chair in the next few months. We all play a part in creating a pipeline for young people to be involved and grow into leadership positions!

Hobbies: While SCYD and my work keep me quite busy, I throw the rest of my free time into my small business. I started my business to support nonprofit organizations in our community that have endured a drastic decrease in funding during the pandemic. We host fundraisers for Sacramento's pillars while providing advocacy for survivors of sexual assault, abuse, and human trafficking.

Quirks: I have a phobia of shower curtains. (And no, it’s not bc of the Psycho scene)

Pets: Peter is my cat that was adopted from 916’s own Front Street Shelters!

Meet Sergio Robles! He is running to be your 2021 Vice President of Fundraising of Sacramento County Young Democrats.

I am a local kid who graduated from Hiram Johnson high school in South Sacramento. I first joined SCYD in 2018 after moving back to the Sacramento region from D.C. For the last several years I have been focused on the South Sac and Elk Grove communities while working for Rep. Bera and serving on the Elk Grove Planning Commission. I have had the opportunity to work with great community organizations such as the Elk Grove Food Bank, the City of Refuge, the Florin Road Partnership, and the Sacramento Tree Foundation.

I am dedicated to making SCYD better by empowering our community-driven young professionals. It would be a pleasure to earn your support, let’s make a difference together.

SCYD Goals: To provide a more inviting and inclusive place for new members. I have heard several individuals suggest SCYD isn’t for them. I believe SCYD is exactly for them, we are all in the same boat looking to make new friendships in a city that has a lot to offer. As the VP of Fundraising, I look forward to empowering my committee members to identify and make those hard asks, it’s a valuable and transferable skill and it takes practice!

Fundraising Goals: My goal is to fundraise for SCYD and to provide a seat at the table while continuing our relevance in Sacramento county politics. Fundraising allows us to engage in key local races, support young Dems that are running for office, put on political events and trips for young professionals, host trainings, and much more!

Hobbies: CrossFit, golf, and reading.

Quirks: Talkative!

Pets: Golden Doodle, 2-year-old named Max!

Photo: Coastal hiking!

Meet Monika Lee! She is running to be your 2021 Communications Manager of Sacramento County Young Democrats.

SCYD was the first organization I joined after moving here 3 years ago, not knowing anybody or having been to Sacramento before. I was welcomed with such warmth and kindness and immediately got involved in our various committees. I met so many friends, mentors, and some future and former colleagues through SCYD and learned so much about local elections and the democratic party process.

Current Occupation: Senior Communications Manager of the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network
I handle communication strategy, messaging, and tone, as well as social media, newsletters, and reporter relationships for CPEHN, a statewide health advocacy organization dedicated to addressing racial and ethnic health disparities.

What SCYD means to you: SYCD is a member drive and member-oriented organization looking to encourage and train the next generation of young, progressive Democrats. It is a welcoming and inclusive space for anyone looking to get involved!

SCYD Goals: Increase awareness and visibility of SCYD through op-eds and social media. Ensure our voices and member endorsed policies and candidates are amplified through statements sent to reporters and member-focused blogs.

Committee Goals: Train members on how to communicate effectively, how to use Canva, and other ways to educate and increase the capacity of our members. Spotlight member voices and opinions with op-eds and connect our voices to reporters on topics like local and statewide elections.

Hobbies: Reading, hiking, soccer

Quirks: I write right-handed, but am left-handed for pretty much everything else!

Pets: None, yet!

Photo: Monika taking an eclair/ pastry class last year!

From our Zoom to yours! Happy Holidays 🥰