Check Out Letitia Clark’s Story

Hi Letitia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story starts really begins in the 3rd grade when I first ran for a student council position. I continued to serve in student government this throughout academic career and into my college years because of that successful 3rd grade election that gave me the confidence to be a voice for others. However, it wasn’t until I started to work on campaigns in New Orleans, LA as a student at Xavier University that I first saw other Black women running for office. As an Orange County kid, I never saw this “in real life”. Until then, I thought the extent of my opportunity to be involved with the law was being a lawyer, which is why my major was pre-law. Once I began to meet the women behind the campaign flyers and was inspired to make laws instead of just learn the law, I changed my major to political science and public administration.

Upon graduation, I got an internship and then later a low-level legislative position with the New Orleans City Council. I was a new-ish employee when Hurricane Katrina was approaching the city and immediately became essential personnel. I then worked to help the city respond to the disaster, seeing the good and bad behind disaster recovery. The most poignant lesson for me was to learn how local elected officials sacrificed so much to be there for the community in the greatest time of need. Something changed in me after I was part of those efforts. And even though I experienced loss, losing all of my possessions (as much as a 22 years old could possess), I was inspired to continue a career in local public service.I went on to do some government relations work, lobbying, and staffing for other elected officials in Atlanta and New Orleans.

After going through a divorce, I moved back home to Orange County and used my connection to my hometown and the experiences down south to run and win in Tustin—becoming the first African-American woman to be elected to the Tustin City Council in 2016 and then selected Mayor in 2020.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. Running for office is hard. Raising money to run is hard and earning bi-partisan support in a place like Tustin is hard. Many people doubted that a black female democrat could win in Orange County. So getting early support during my first run was tough. But my roots here helped me along the way. Not only to legitimize my familiarity with the area but to get volunteers, early dollars and endorsements.

My second run for re-election I thought might be easy, but it wasn’t. I was the only incumbent running against eight other candidates. But with hard work, I was the number one vote-getter and was then selected mayor a few weeks later.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
During the day, I am a District Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations for the South Orange County Community College District. My role is to promote community college education in the greater OC community and help secure state and federal funding for the colleges through partnerships with local, state and federal agencies and elected officials.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
The COVID-19 crisis is similar to Hurricane Katrina. We have to be flexible enough to respond appropriately but also proactive enough to work on long-term recovery. We must be good stewards of funding and be empathetic the entire time.