Sade Elhawary and Efren Martinez battle for California’s 57th Assembly District

Los Angeles, CA—In the upcoming California Assembly race for District 57, voters have the chance to elect a leader who embodies the future: Sade Elhawary. Known for her work as a youth educator and community organizer, Sade has built powerful grassroots networks while consistently fighting for justice and equity. Now, she’s ready to take that fight to Sacramento, where she can amplify the voices of our communities and deliver real change.

”When we heard the leaked city hall recordings a couple years ago I felt that I needed to step up as someone who was part of amazing activism and organizing that was happening right here in South Central to represent our community,” says Sade.

We have to be thoughtful about not just how we represent latinos as we continue to grow, but also Black folks who are still historically a huge part of this community.

Sade’s commitment to the people of District 57 is unwavering. With high-profile endorsements from influential leaders like Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Supervisor Holly Mitchell, she has shown she’s not only deeply connected to the community but also trusted by those who share her vision for a better Los Angeles. This district—a vibrant stretch that includes parts of South L.A., Florence-Graham, USC, and stretches through downtown from the Crypto.com Arena to Skid Row—needs a representative who won’t back down on the biggest issues. Housing, homelessness, criminal justice reform, and climate change are all at stake, and Sade has the energy and vision to tackle them head-on.

Among the two candidates vying for this seat, Sade Elhawary brings unmatched passion, experience, and dedication. As a former high school teacher and foster parent, she has seen firsthand the challenges young people face. Her work developing social justice initiatives in local schools, organizing for community needs, and training young activists speaks to her lifelong commitment to lifting up others.

I went to UCLA and then to Harvard to become a high school history teacher. I came back home to South Central and I worked at Foshay, Manuel Arts and Fremont as a youth organizer and I loved the work I was doing to make sure we were investing in our young people.

Sade understands that real change requires rolling up your sleeves and being in the trenches with those you serve—and she’s done exactly that.

Sade’s story is one of resilience and connection rooted in South Central, Los Angeles. With a Guatemalan mother and Egyptian father, she knows what it means to bridge cultures and build unity. In a district that’s 71% Latino and 17% Black, she offers a unique and powerful perspective that can bring together communities that have long shared a common struggle but too often lack a shared advocate.

Her opponent, Efren Martinez, is a business owner focused on housing, healthcare, and education reform. While Martinez has garnered endorsements from Democratic clubs, prominent officials, and law enforcement, he also receives significant support from special interest groups. Over $275,000 has come to his campaign from a PAC funded by big oil—an industry that has consistently worked against environmental policies crucial to the future of communities like District 57.

For voters, the decision is clear. Sade Elhawary is the candidate who represents the people, not corporate interests. With her deep understanding of the district’s needs, tireless energy, and commitment to progressive change, she is exactly the kind of leader we need to drive forward on issues that truly matter to residents.

5 years ago I became a foster mom to a young woman who was removed from her home. They wanted to move her to the antelope valley and I advocated for her to remain in her community which is how I became her foster mother after being her mentor.

One of the issues that Sade hopes to advocate around during her time in Sacramento, are foster youth who age out of children services and become homeless.

A lot of our foster youth end up on the streets whether that’s homelessness or sex trafficking because many age out of the system and don’t have the support that they need.

On November 5, District 57 has a choice to back a candidate who stands for the community’s priorities, someone who will work every day to make life better for those who call South Los Angeles home. Sade is ready to bring her voice—and ours—to the Assembly. Let’s elect her and start building the future we deserve.