Cassandra Chase elected mayor during annual city council reorganization
Cassandra Chase has been chosen to serve as the mayor of Lakewood, California. This decision was made during the city council’s annual reorganization meeting. She will serve her first term as mayor until June 2026.
This appointment marks a major milestone. Chase is the first Black woman elected to serve as mayor in the city’s history. She was elected to the city council in 2022 and has remained active in Lakewood’s civic affairs for years.
Chase sets theme focused on kindness and civic engagement
Chase declared her theme for the term as “Lakewood Together: A Year of Kindness, Care, and Civic Action.” She said this theme reflects the values the community holds dear—compassion, unity, and shared responsibility.
In her words, “Kindness is not weakness. Kindness is the quiet strength that holds communities together. Care is compassion. Care is commitment. And civic action is not reserved for a few—it belongs to all of us.”
Mayor highlights goals around youth, climate, and wellness
Chase explained that her mayoral year will focus on three key goals: sustainability and stewardship, community health and wellness, and youth empowerment. She plans to support programs like the Lakewood Leadership Academy, which teaches students about civic life.
She also emphasized the importance of climate action, clean water infrastructure, and events like the annual Earth Walk. “Sustainability is not just about the environment,” she said. “It’s about how we care for one another and our future.”
A Lakewood native with a passion for service
Born and raised in Lakewood, Chase attended St. Joseph High School. She later earned her degree from the University of California, Irvine. Her parents taught her to value service to others from an early age.
She once held the title of Miss Greater Lakewood and has volunteered with the Lakewood Jaycees for many years. Her deep roots in the community continue to shape her vision as a leader.
Civic leadership grounded in business and literacy
Chase is a social entrepreneur and business strategist. She leads Chase Consulting Group, which helps small businesses and nonprofits grow through smart planning and marketing. She also co-founded Read Lead, a nonprofit that promotes literacy-based leadership for youth.
In addition, she coordinates the Empowerment Congress, a model for civic engagement that focuses on shared leadership and accountability. Through all these roles, Chase has championed equity and access for underserved communities.
Inspiring words from the new mayor
In her acceptance speech, Chase stressed the need for unity. She said, “We must stand firm on the values that bind us—not break us. Values like community, care, and collaboration.” She promised a leadership style “grounded in humanity, humility, and heart.”
She ended with a hopeful message: “Let this be a year where we show up for each other with open hearts, we turn kindness into policy, and we practice care—not as a side note, but as our starting point.”
