GETTING TO KNOW JEAN WILLIAMS

By Jean Williams

I would like to introduce myself. After years of both living and working in our beautiful city, I believe I bring "A FRESH APPROACH" to improving life for all residents.

I was born in North Carolina and raised in Philadelphia. After graduating from journalism school, I started my professional career as a freelance writer. I moved to Los Angeles to become a reporter for Billboard Magazine, the music industryˇ¦s largest trade publication. At that time there were few women reporters at Billboard and none based in Los Angeles. It was there that I learned to build strong coalitions. I worked at the magazine from 1974-1982 leaving as the Talent Editor.

In 1982 I opened Leigh-Hi Industries, a consulting firm until 1991. It was then that I saw a need to serve my community by training residents for careers in the gaming industry. The Gaming Academy, an Inglewood-based education facility, trained and secured employment for approximately 300 individuals.

In 2001, I became a licensed Realtor to assist individuals with little or no savings in sharing in the American dream by becoming homeowners. In 2005, I was elected President of the Womenˇ¦s Council of Realtors, Southwest Los Angeles Chapter.

Throughout all of this I never forgot my longstanding desire to serve the public at a higher level. In 2002, I was appointed to the Inglewood Aviation Commission where I learned important lessons about our relationship with the airport. Subsequently, in 2003, I was appointed to the Inglewood Planning Commission where my background in real estate became invaluable when determining land uses and other Inglewood housing and business concerns.

As your Councilperson my priority will be to bring revenue to the City and create worthwhile programs to improve life for all citizens of our great City. I believe our strategy for this involves bringing a new industrial revolution to Inglewood. Each experience of my professional career strengthens my ability to serve your concerns.

My goal is to work with you in changing our City for the better - one issue at a time. Together, I know we can. As a 32 year resident, business and homeowner, mother of one daughter, Gail, I share your concerns and high hopes for the future of Inglewood.