Surlene Grant, Neighbor

Surlene Grant served on the San Leandro City Council from 1998-2008, including two terms as Vice Mayor. She currently operates a consultancy to implement and manage public relations programs, communications strategies and public affairs for several specific program areas including housing and community development, transportation and construction projects.

She is the first person of color to be elected to a position in the City of San Leandro. Her legacy in San Leandro, includes the award-winning South Area Development Plan; adoption an inclusionary housing policy and strengthening of the City’s affordable housing policies. Also, she successfully spear-headed the passage of the Local Purchasing Ordinance. She is responsible for the establishment of the African American Business Council and the Business Association of South San Leandro.

She serves on boards of directors for Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) and the  Stephanie Cadet Foundations. She is also the volunteer Executive Director for RAILS (Restoration Association for the Improvement of the Landmark 16^th Street Station). Surlene Grant has B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois and M.A. in Management from John F. Kennedy University, Orinda, California.