Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriela Santiago-Romero.
Hi Gabriela, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. My mother was very young when she had me. We came to the States on my first birthday. We moved in with my uncle in Los Angeles. After the 1994 earthquake, my mom moved us to Detroit, where my aunt lived in the Southwest. My mom raised my little brother and me in Southwest Detroit. She provided me with the best educational opportunities she could afford. Life was both challenging and beautiful, with many lessons learned. Before my election to the city council, I was a community organizer with We the People Michigan.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We grew up poor, and I had to start working at 15 to buy a car to get to school. I received a full-ride scholarship to Mercy High School in Farmington Hills. Due to a lack of regional transit, I had to work after school and on the weekends to pay for gas, food, and books. I’ve used my struggles as learning opportunities to understand better how systems work to serve or harm us.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m the proud Detroit City Council Member for District Six. I have a staff of 8, and together we serve our residents with legislative and constituent services. We have solved over 1,000 constituent cases and have passed legislation that will increase our safety and quality of life. We do our work through a social work and organizer lens. I’m proud to have built a team of caring leaders who are creative and take initiative. Our motto is that we “lead with love”. I want readers to know that we operate through a co-governance model. I believe this should be expected of every elected office.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I have found mentors by attending networking events through work and my social and professional networks. I identify someone who is doing work I’m interested in, and I ask them to meet over coffee. If a connection is established and a relationship is formed, I stay in touch with the person and ask if they would be willing to mentor me or help connect me to others in their network. I have found success in finding mentorship.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gabrielasantiagoromero.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabysantiagoromero/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gabysantiagoromero
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@councilmemberGSR
