Carolyn Wysinger Makes History with El Cerrito Council Win
Longtime community activist Carolyn Wysinger recently joined the El Cerrito City Council, becoming both the first openly LGBTQ and third-ever African-American council member in the city’s history.
Wysinger has deep roots in West Contra Costa County as a fifth-generation resident. She attended El Cerrito High School and has over 25 years of leadership experience with local organizations.
“I am a big believer in nuance when it comes to creating policy and running municipalities,” Wysinger stated last year during her campaign. “I think that when we talk about diversity on councils, boards, and commissions, that’s more than the way we look; it’s the way we enact policy.”
Prioritizing Housing and Public Safety
Key areas of focus for Councilwoman Wysinger include expanding affordable housing, improving community safety, supporting local businesses, and bridging socioeconomic divides between neighborhoods.
She is a staunch advocate of the San Pablo Specific Plan and Del Norte Plan to spur equitable transit-oriented development. Wysinger also wants to leverage county and state resources to fund innovative public safety programs aiding those with mental illness.
As the first Black LGBTQ council member, she is deeply committed to championing inclusivity and diversity. Wysinger has worked extensively with Richmond youth groups and served on the board of the Philonise and Keeta Floyd Institute alongside George Floyd’s family.
Continuing a Legacy of Black Leadership
Wysinger’s election continues El Cerrito’s trailblazing history of Black political empowerment. In 2023, she spoke of her uncle and aunt who opened the city’s first Black-owned business back in 1940.
As only the third African American council member, Wysinger embraces this legacy. She now strives to create economic opportunities so more diverse businesses can open and thrive in El Cerrito.
From spearheading San Francisco’s economic recovery task force to teaching high school English, Wysinger brings invaluable perspective. She is committed to translating community concerns into “tangible solutions” as El Cerrito’s newest councilwoman.
