Tuesday, June 2, 2020: it is the morning of our Marin City Peaceful Protest. Unitymaking fills the air as thousands of us hold high our ‘Unity for All’ signs marching toward Marin City.

As we listen to inspiring Marin City leaders young and old at the rally, our hearts expand with hope. This is the morning we launch our Yas4Unity school board campaign. It is time for all of us in our own way - big or small - to take action. To help make a positive difference in our world, starting in our own communities.

For 94965, this is a day we need to leave divisiveness in our past. To look to a bright future filled with positive change. For all our students today in our district and all the many more that will march through our schools for generations to come. This is our moment to rise. Together.

With this intention at the heart of our campaign, I share this letter:

Dear friends and neighbors,

I have some exciting news I want to share with you. With all that is happening in our community, our country and the world today, we all need to do what we can to make positive change.

With that in mind, I have officially declared my candidacy for the Sausalito Marin City School Board elections in November.

I am running because I believe I can help make positive change that will benefit all the students of 94965. There’s already a positive tide that is rising, and with more inspiration it can continue to do so, lifting all boats and all dreams.

I was raised to dream BIG. I know there are many hurdles and fears around bringing our two schools – Bayside MLK + Willow Creek Academy – together as one. But I know in my heart we can get there in a way that everyone will rally behind.

One of the key things that will be required is an approach that is open - ready to hear all sides, willing to respect all voices, honor all input. That is the way I am. As a born collaborator, I know I can be instrumental in bringing our community together, in celebrating the unity in community.

As an American immigrant with multi-cultural parents, I learned from them that to bring people together you must follow your curiosity and walk through worlds different than your own.

So my family and I have been active in the community here in Sausalito and Marin City for many years, getting involved with community sports, Bridge the Gap College Prep tutoring, and more. I’ve had the honor of coaching sports, sitting on local boards, working in classrooms and online with students at both schools, and helping bring a revolutionary new school meals program to all WCA students. I was told at the time it couldn’t be done. It could, but only by taking the time to build trusted relationships with many diverse groups of people - Bayside MLK and Willow Creek leaders, teachers and staff, and of course the culinary community too.

With a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and Accounting from UNC - Chapel Hill, and career experience from auditor for Bank of America to VP, Partnerships for Olympic Games sponsorships, I know I have the other skills to get the job done, too.

I am also running a Green-powered campaign. We must model what we tell our children about the environment with our actions. So if you can, please join me, maybe even by helping paint a few recycled wood yard signs! After the campaign, they’ll be handed off to the next local candidate. That’s how change happens.

All the other reasons that I feel I can help bring equitable education to all our students are on this website. Please take a look and tell me what you think. Also, my track record will help you see I’m a mom with a long history of getting important things done.

If you feel inspired by my vision, please share it with others! Please tell neighbors and friends about #Yas4Unity and have them reach out to me for a chat. Ask them to check out this YasforUnity website. Post about #Yas4Unity on your social media. I definitely can’t do this alone. Working together is how positive movements happen.

I’m committed to building positive bridges of unity and doing my small part along with all the other UnityMakers in 94965. And I humbly ask you to please join me in inspiring a RISING TIDE that will bring our two strong schools together into ONE EXTRAORDINARY public school. We will do this. Together.

Please help light the way! Join this Positive Movement!

Sincerely,

Yasmine

#Yas4Unity