Pasadena is where Patrice’s story begins, is where her roots are deeply planted, and where she is writing her next chapter. As an educator and community advocate, Patrice uses her voice to speak on issues of equity, justice and power building for marginalized members of her community. She knows the transformative power of education and knows that learning is a continuous process.

 

Patrice is keenly aware of the harm to communities that can result from education and opportunity gaps. She works tirelessly to educate her community about the power that every day people possess and their capacity to accelerate change through the avenues of civic engagement, advocacy, and pulling the levers of participatory democracy. Patrice seizes every opportunity to highlight the importance of the public when people think about public service, policymakers, and the leaders who are elected to serve and represent us as public servants.

Patrice entered Pasadena public schools in kindergarten attending Burbank and Allendale Elementary, going on to Eliot middle school, and graduated from John Muir High School prepared to matriculate into the most prestigious public universities across the globe for her undergraduate and graduate studies. Her lived experiences make her a stalwart champion for public education. Patrice’s investment in preserving and protecting public schools as a public benefit are reflected in her professional and personal passions. In 2020, she co-chaired the successful Yes on Measure O school bond campaign which brought $516.3  million to Pasadena schools to increase facility, technology, water and energy conservation infrastructure, and spaces that support visual/performing arts and STEAM curriculum advancements. Additionally, Patrice is committed to developing policy proposals and legislation that prioritize equity, social justice and student achievement.

Patrice is a skilled professional adept in the Legislative Process, public affairs and media relations. She is known by many in the government and public sector throughout California-and has access to many of the most powerful people within the public policy landscape. Patrice is also an adept facilitator, thought leader and visionary in the public affairs arena.

Patrice has more than 15 years of experience working with state and local government leaders including members of the California State Legislature and the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education. Her roles have centered around serving as a direct liaison and local spokesperson between key stakeholders and elected officials. She is astute in developing, growing and nurturing strategic partnerships and collaborations that advance issues and causes for all parties. Patrice is well-known for being resourceful and innovative in consensus building and convening groups with aligned interests.

Patrice is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley with a degree in African American Studies and a Minor in Critical Pedagogy. She also holds a Master in Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Marxe School of Public and International Affairs at Baruch College of New York.
 
Patrice serves and leads in the greater Pasadena community through a multitude of volunteer and civic organizations including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Junior League of Pasadena, The LA Trust for Children’s Health, National Women’s Political Caucus - Greater Pasadena Area, LA County Democratic Central Committee, and the Los Angeles African American Women’s Public Policy Institute (LAAAWPPI).

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