San Jose native Tonya McKenzie is the first African American woman to run for Redondo Beach City Council for the Fourth District, and if victorious, she will be the first Black woman to hold the city council position. With residents voting the least in District 4, McKenzie believes that conversation, collaboration, and commonality can turn that around.
Tonya and her family moved to Southern California nine years ago from the Bay Area. After settling in their new town, the family noticed disenfranchised businesses and a high working-class with an increase in renters and immigrants.
McKenzie shares, “I love our district. I stay motivated because I recognize the needs of the community and I’m going to keep doing the work.” Her work ethic was quickly noticed by former City Councilmember John Gran and former Mayor Steve Aspel, along with Redondo Beach parents, residents, and business owners who encouraged her to run for City Council.
As an entrepreneur and professional businesswoman, McKenzie is well educated on local issues and more than qualified to implement change if elected to council. She owns a public relations company, she is an L.A. County District 2 Commissioner on Alcohol and other Drugs serving on the Education and Prevention Committee, the president of the North Redondo Beach Business Association, an active member of the Police Engagement Board serving on the Captain and Lieutenants panel, and serves on the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) in Redondo Beach.
“It’s my responsibility to identify problems, start the conversation, and provide solutions as a true community leader,” she says.
Although she has been supported by her community and former politicians, Tonya has been challenged with racially motivated cyberbullying. Online there is a Facebook profile misusing her photos and likeliness. She advises residents not to follow or engage with the fake profile.
The recall ballot features Tonya McKenzie as the only alternative to incumbent Zein Obagi Jr., and a cannabis repeal measure that restricts the number of dispensaries that can open in the city. The city has already voted and approved the presence of the cannabis industry on a local level (now on pause), which will have no connection to McKenzie.
Through conversation and collaboration, Tonya spoke with Catalyst Cannabis Co. CEO Elliot Lewis, who’s parent company South Cord Holdings LLC drove the recall effort, on her podcast Leaders and Learners, to discuss the election and the commonality between the two business owners.
With her objective background, Tonya McKenzie is striving to build bridges, represent the business in her district, and unite Redondo Beach to work together as a whole.
“North Redondo Beach used to be the leading area in tax revenue, the residents and business owners work hard and they’re starting to feel forgotten,” insists Tonya.
McKenzie is currently working with Redondo Beach City’s Health District to develop a youth center for emotionally challenged adolescents in the community. And with the continued support of Tasha Cerda, Mayor of Gardena and Lula Davis-Holmes, Mayor of Carson, Tonya wants readers to know “women can do this! I have my head down and I’m focused!”
The all mail-in recall election set for Wednesday, October 19, is fast approaching and McKenzie is worried voters will be confused about L.A. City and L.A. County voting deadlines.
Redondo Beach Community members are expected to host meet and greets for the candidate in upcoming weeks, for residents to get familiar and ask important questions.
To learn more about candidate McKenzie, visit her website Home | District 4 for Tonya (redondobeachfortonya.com), or follow her online on her official social media platforms; Facebook – TonyaMcKenzieSpeaks the page, Twitter – TonyaMcKenziePR, and Instagram TonyaMcKenziePR.