MEET ERICKA LESLEY
A LIFETIME COMMITMENT TO LEADERSHIP
Ericka Lesley is not your typical politician—she is proof that community power works.
Born in Southern California and raised in a military family, Ericka learned early the values of service, resilience, and adaptability. In 2009, she chose Santa Monica as the place to raise her children, drawn by its strong schools and sense of community. It was here that she found not only a home, but a calling.
As a survivor of domestic violence who overcame homelessness, Ericka understands firsthand the challenges families face when systems fail them. Those lived experiences have shaped her commitment to ensuring that every resident has access to opportunity, stability, and dignity.
As Assistant Director of CURELA, a program of Community Build serving diverse communities across Los Angeles County, Ericka has turned advocacy into action—connecting families to housing, critical services, and pathways to self-sufficiency. Her work has always centered on empowering people and strengthening communities.
In Santa Monica, her record of leadership speaks for itself.
As Chair of the Rent Control Board, Ericka has been a strong advocate for tenants and working families, helping protect residents from displacement and fighting to preserve Santa Monica as a city where people of all incomes can afford to live and thrive.
A committed labor advocate, she has worked alongside workers and union leaders to advance fair wages, safer workplaces, and economic policies that benefit working people. She believes a strong economy is one that creates opportunity for everyone—not just the privileged few.
As a parent in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, Ericka has championed educational equity and student success. Through her leadership as Chair of the Intercultural Equity & Excellence District Advisory Committee and Vice Chair of the Black/African American Parent Advisory Committee, she has helped ensure that every student is seen, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Ericka brings authenticity, courage, and deep community roots to public service. A distinguished graduate of Santa Monica College's Public Policy Institute, she became the first alumnus of the program to win elected office—demonstrating her lifelong commitment to civic engagement and local leadership.
Above all, Ericka is a proud mother of three sons and a dedicated community leader who believes government works best when it listens to and reflects the people it serves.
Ericka Lesley for Santa Monica City Council—because City Hall should work for the community, and this seat belongs to the people.