Meet Jacque Robinson-Baisley, currently the Director of External Affairs for Cordoba Corp. in their Education and Facilities Sector.

[00:00:13] Welcome back to another episode of The Political Life. Today, we have another friend of Maggie's on the show. I guess I should have asked, Maggie, maybe you first can tell us how you and our guests know each other and then introduce our guests. Maggie, I'm going to hand it off to you.

[00:00:35] Thanks, Jim. And I will, for the purposes of this episode, time date stamp this conversation. We are in February, finally. Finally. Finally. January was a long month, and it is poignant for this conversation. I am pleased to introduce our listeners to my dear friend and sister, Jackie Robinson-Baisley. When I met her, she was just Jackie Robinson, or as we called her, the mayor.

[00:01:05] Jackie and I went on a state-supported, U.S. state-supported delegation to Asia in 2011 with the American Council of Young Political Leaders when we were both serving in public office and have remained close since. Jackie Robinson- But for the purposes of this conversation, we are here to tell Jackie's story. She's had an incredible career in both the public and private sector.

[00:01:34] Jackie Robinson- But she's also a resident of Altadena. And so we want to continue to talk about and keep the focus on Southern California and L.A.

[00:01:45] Jackie Robinson- As they recover from the wildfires that began on January 7th. So we will first talk about Jackie in her capacity and her political life and then talk a little bit about what's happening on the ground out in California. So welcome, Jackie. Thank you for taking time in kind of a volatile time in your life. We are grateful. Jackie Robinson- Thank you, Maggie, for having me and, you know, allowing this opportunity to share

[00:02:13] Jackie Robinson- What's been going on from a personal perspective. Jackie Robinson- Yeah. And Jackie, you know, like I said, we called you the mayor. Why don't you share with us kind of where you got the political bug and where you started your political life? Jackie Robinson- Sure. So, you know, it's been a while since I've recounted this. And as you can imagine, there's been a ton of things going on in the last several weeks here in Pasadena, Altadena, California. But

[00:02:42] Jackie Robinson- I got my political bug back in, I would say, approximately 2005, I want to say, 2003. At the time, I was working at California Teachers Association as a law clerk. I have a former law life. And so at that time, I was a law clerk with CTA. And as I transitioned out of law school and decided to go on another life track,

[00:03:10] Jackie Robinson- That brought me to the community outreach department at CTA. And so there is where I got my start working on campaigns. And at the time, it was propositions 71 through 77, which Arnold Schwarzenegger was the governor at that time in California.

[00:03:29] Jackie Robinson- And I just really got a chance to be on the ground and entrenched in field work on behalf of CTA in the community of South Los Angeles. And so I worked on that campaign, did a lot of field work. And that brought me to the Yes We Can program, which was a program to train young operatives of color in the political field.

[00:03:54] Jackie Robinson- At the time, I didn't know who then Senator Barack Obama was. It just, the program and the opportunity just came across my email from someone that knew me. I said, oh, let me apply for this. And I got accepted. And, you know, I think the rest is history. From there, I went to that program, met a lot of really smart people who I'm still just like you,

[00:04:19] Jackie Robinson- Engage with and friends with to this day. And that led me to be on the ground in Philadelphia, where I worked on the Labor 2006 campaign with the Philadelphia AFL-CIO.

[00:04:35] Jackie Robinson- And it was there that I decided to run for local office myself. I remember I was sitting on the bed at the apartment that I was staying in for that three month duration of the campaign. Jackie Robinson- And at the time, right before I left for the campaign, there was a nice group social led by women in the city of Pasadena. And at the time, there were going to be no women left on the city council because the only woman was retiring.

[00:05:03] Jackie Robinson- And there was one woman left on the school board and she had gotten defeated. And so they were recruiting women. And at the time, I was, I think, 26. And I didn't think of myself as a formidable candidate. Jackie Robinson- You know, when they said, think of who you know, I kind of just thought of, you know, teachers, principals, older women in my community that I felt like could be a city council member or what I thought a city council member should be or the experience that they had at the time.

[00:05:30] And somehow I didn't take the message, but everybody told me, no, they didn't want to run. And then I remember when I was in Philadelphia, I just thought, why can't I run? And I just kind of, you know, thought it through to myself.

[00:05:41] Jackie Robinson- I called a couple of the women that I respected that knew me from growing up in Pasadena to make sure I wasn't crazy. And there was like a one week period between the end of the Philadelphia campaign and when the filing period was in Pasadena. And I flew home one weekend, got my signatures, turned them in like Monday morning, and then left to go finish the campaign in Philadelphia.

[00:06:03] Jackie Robinson- And when I came back a couple of weeks later, I was a certified candidate for local office. So I, that first campaign in 2007, nobody thought I would win or I won't say that very few people thought I could win.

[00:06:17] Jackie Robinson- Of course, the people that needed to believe I could win were behind me. But it was a very grassroots campaign out of my mom's house. We turned her living room into a, you know, a campaign, effectively turned it into a campaign office and I made it to the runoff with only a five vote difference between myself and the leading candidate. And I went to the runoff and I won. Jackie Robinson- So how many years were you on the city council?

[00:06:45] Jackie Robinson- I served for two full terms from 2007 to 2015. I was the vice mayor by the time I ended my service and I was hoping to become mayor, but that didn't work out. I did run for mayor in 2015. And at that time, it was going to be our first open mayor's election since we went to a citywide elected mayor, which happened in 1998.

[00:07:11] Jackie Robinson- And at that time, half of the council ran concurrent with the mayor's race and I was in the half that was not concurrent. So as you can imagine, it's easier to make a decision to do so when you don't have anything to give up. Jackie Robinson- But I thought it was really important that, you know, the first opportunity to elect in the mayor citywide be a contested race and not just because someone had a free ride.

[00:07:36] Jackie Robinson- And so I decided to run. I gave him my council seat and I came really close, but I didn't quite make it. And so at the end of in March 2015, or maybe it was June 2015, that was when my term ended on city council.

[00:07:51] Jackie Robinson- Because I had elected to run for mayor and I had to give up my council seat to do so but I have no regrets about that. To this day, I thought it was really important that you know we had the city had an opportunity to elect a citywide mayor and you know have a discussion about topics that were important to all portions of the city not just you know the perception of elite or people that are normally involved in on an everyday basis.

[00:08:17] Jackie Robinson- And I really think that I made a difference both in my time that I was on the council and you know, taking the opportunity to run for mayor at that time. Jackie Robinson- And you're still involved in your, you know, civic life. Jackie Robinson- Oh, very much so. Jackie Robinson- And then in your private sector position to working to develop the city. Can you share a little bit about how you've transitioned to the private sector and your role at Cordoba?

[00:08:44] Jackie Robinson- Sure. So my private sector experience has just been only within the last couple years actually. Jackie Robinson- Even when I was on the city council, I was serving as a policy director and Debbie district director for then LAUSD school board member Steve Zimmer. Jackie Robinson- And so I was still in public service and you know both on the staff side and on elected side.

[00:09:09] Jackie Robinson- And then after that, as I transitioned, I started doing government relations and community outreach all the things that I was already doing just you know being paid for it I always say city council was you know. Jackie Robinson- Part time on paper and full time in real life. Jackie Robinson- Because most most city council members, you know it's not a full time job, but you know I treated it as such and so it was very.

[00:09:33] Jackie Robinson- very helpful to have an employer with us board members ever who understood because he too was a quote unquote part time. Jackie Robinson- elected leader of LAUSD, which is the biggest school district in the country and he also was a professor at various colleges around southern California, so he understood the balance that needed to be had to do both.

[00:09:58] Jackie Robinson- And so again in my private sector experience I do external affairs and I'm privileged to work for Cordoba corporation right now. Jackie Robinson- I'm the external affairs director working on the education sector team and Cordoba is a construction and project management engineering firm and we work in the water sector buildings and facilities.

[00:10:23] Jackie Robinson- hydrogen and transportation sectors and so we have a number of clients who are also in government service. Jackie Robinson- here in California and we're a statewide company and so I essentially represent Cordoba with many of our clients with our elect local elected officials with our community organization where we work and live to be engaged.

[00:10:49] Jackie Robinson- So on January 6th. Jackie Robinson- So on January 6th, if we can think before the fires began what were the major pressing issues at City Hall and facing Pasadena as a community. Jackie Robinson- And today kind of what are one, two and three, what are the next steps facing the community for you who lost your home.

[00:11:15] Jackie Robinson- And others like what what are the what are steps one, two and three as Altadena and Pasadena move forward. Jackie Robinson- Sure. Jackie Robinson- So let me just say I'm a, as you know, I'm a lifelong Pasadena and I do not give up my Pasadena citizenship card. Jackie Robinson- And, you know, I've been a lifelong resident and my parents bought a home there nearly 50 years ago now.

[00:11:40] Jackie Robinson- And so I always consider Pasadena home but when I got married approximately nine years ago, we'll make 10 years this year. Jackie Robinson- We moved to Altadena and so Altadena is the only home that my daughter, Sora has known and so it's just been really heartbreaking to see the impact the devastation that the fire, Eden fire in particular, has had on Altadena.

[00:12:06] Jackie Robinson- And parts of Pasadena and parts of Pasadena in fact some of the parts of Pasadena that burned as well were parts of my former Council District, which is District one. Jackie Robinson- And so this week or late last week, the fire is finally 100% contained. Jackie Robinson- Recovery efforts are still ongoing right now in both cities or Altadena is a town part of Los Angeles County.

[00:12:34] Jackie Robinson- Representative- Supervisor Catherine Barger and Cassidy-Lens. Jackie Robinson- It's a separate city, charter city, represented by Mayor Victor Jordan. Jackie Robinson- But in both cities we're in a recovery phase. Jackie Robinson- Right now, both are working closely with the county and state and federal agencies to do cleanup of, you know, what's essentially toxic sites where all of the homes and other businesses have burned.

[00:13:03] Jackie Robinson- And it's going to be a long haul going forward. Jackie Robinson- You mentioned earlier in the podcast that, you know, we're finally in February and January just seems like the longest month year ever. Jackie Robinson- But I'm very grateful to my husband, number one, who's been a rock through all of this supporting myself and my daughter.

[00:13:29] Jackie Robinson- And you know, our larger community and friends and family that have suffered through this. Jackie Robinson- He's a member of the Southwest Regional Brotherhood of Carpenters, Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters. Jackie Robinson- He was a business rep with local 323. Jackie Robinson- And so, you know, he and his brothers jumped right in, you know, the day after the fire to help at one of the recovery sites that was being held at the Rose Bowl.

[00:13:55] Jackie Robinson- And just the community at large, there's a tons of, you know, Facebook groups and, you know, text messages going around. Jackie Robinson- Everybody's just, you know, falling, going where they can to help and offering up their homes, extra rooms, you know, food and other necessary resources. Jackie Robinson- And I'm just grateful that I have been able to live in a community where everyone knows each other.

[00:14:20] Jackie Robinson- And I think that's the closeness and the richness of Pasadena Altadena is that we've all grown up together and why it is so devastating. Jackie Robinson- Because, you know, many of us are at our homes, especially the black community of Pasadena Altadena. Jackie Robinson- Our homes and businesses have been passed down through multiple generations. Jackie Robinson- You know, grandmas, grandfathers, you know, mothers.

[00:14:43] Jackie Robinson- And it's just devastating to know that, you know, all of us have, in essence, lost what our ancestors have built for us. Jackie Robinson- But we're very much committed to, you know, building back and making sure that we maintain the integrity of our history and of our community. Jackie Robinson- So in terms of where you are now, and for your neighbors that also lost their homes,

[00:15:10] Jackie Robinson- The neighbors that maybe still their homes are standing, have they gotten back into their homes? Jackie Robinson- Or is everyone still displaced for the most part in Altadena? Jackie Robinson- I would say everyone is very much still displaced, even for those that whose home remains standing or somehow, you know, on the streets, there are some homes that, you know, somehow the fire skipped their home and it's still standing, they have sustained, you know, major smoke damage. Jackie Robinson- So it's still not safe to live.

[00:15:40] Jackie Robinson- But we're all doing the best we can. Jackie Robinson- You know, there's a lot of rules and regulations with regard to, you know, going back, making sure you have hazmat suits on for those that are able to go into their homes, you know, make sure that it's appropriately environmentally clean. Jackie Robinson- But it's still very much a challenge, because even for those people that are able to go back to their homes, there's nothing but destruction around them. Jackie Robinson- And so how do you continue to thrive and keep your own sanity under those conditions?

[00:16:08] Jackie Robinson- You know, all of the families that have small children, you know, all of the families that have small children, my daughter was able to finally return back to school. Jackie Robinson- Last week, but our school district, which is a public school district, we know 10,000 students have been impacted out of 14,000 there's staff and teachers that have also lost their home. Jackie Robinson- In Altadena as a town over 9400 homes burned.

[00:16:35] Jackie Robinson- And so the devastation is staggering. Jackie Robinson- So as you move through recovery, have there already been discussions about what Altadena looks like when it is rebuilt? Jackie Robinson- And how does that like community stakeholder process come together as someone who's been on the other side of, you know, public input and planning?

[00:17:03] Jackie Robinson- You know, what, what are those conversations and have you given yourself permission to dream about things that you'd love to see Altadena become in its next version? Jackie Robinson- Of course, I mean, we're very much still at the beginning stages. Jackie Robinson- I think those conversations have been had and, you know, kudos to County Supervisor Barger.

[00:17:28] Jackie Robinson- She has, you know, publicly stood with us and has committed to making sure that, you know, displaced residents, especially Black Altadena, has the opportunity to be up front to the table. Jackie Robinson- As we somewhat reimagined, but we still very much want to keep the integrity of the history and the culture of our community. Jackie Robinson- And that is totally no disrespect to the east side of Altadena, but you know, the west side of Altadena is a heavily.

[00:17:58] Jackie Robinson- And as a large number of Black home ownership. Jackie Robinson- And so we want to make sure that exit integrity is maintained historically. Jackie Robinson- It was that way because of redlining and other, you know, segregation and other institutional racism mechanisms that were put in place. Jackie Robinson- But you know, it's continued to thrive and will continue to thrive. Jackie Robinson- And those conversations are being had, but I would say it's very much still in the early stages.

[00:18:25] Jackie Robinson- And even though you know the fire is no longer raging and you know the smoke, for the most part has stopped like people still have to you know return back to their everyday lives. Jackie Robinson- And figure out what the new normal is for themselves, including myself. Jackie Robinson- And so just trying to maintain a balance of you know look being in the present because you have to be but also you know looking forward to forward to the future that.

[00:18:54] Jackie Robinson- And so you know hopefully won't be too far away, but we know that it will be at least you know. Jackie Robinson- A minimum, we need a 10 year period before we see any major city building in a substantial way.

[00:19:10] Jackie Robinson- I was speaking to a sorority sister who also lives in Altadena and her home is still standing but she shared with me last week that they have leaking in their house. Jackie Robinson- Because it finally rained in Southern California. Jackie Robinson- A few days ago. Jackie Robinson- It had not rained in eight months, she said. Jackie Robinson- And so now- Jackie Robinson- A few weeks too late. Jackie Robinson- Exactly.

[00:19:37] Jackie Robinson- But we're also supposed to get rain this week too. Jackie Robinson- So you know again the ongoing effects of the fire you know the flooding. Jackie Robinson- You know we don't know how much rain it will be but you know flooding, debris, you know continuous movement. Jackie Robinson- You know the toxic materials that are there and so you know it's going to be an ongoing challenge healing with the aftereffects of the fire.

[00:20:05] Jackie Robinson- She said that she was thankful for the rain to your point a few weeks too late, but that it actually caused the entire community to smell like an ashtray. Jackie Robinson- So to your point about toxic materials and just the continuous you know threats that come with being part of a devastating. Jackie Robinson- Right. Jackie Robinson- Event like this.

[00:20:29] Jackie Robinson- In terms of the you know preparedness or you know so many communities around the country have adverse weather impacting them whether it's flooding or tornadoes or fires. Jackie Robinson- If you could think back to the day that you evacuated. Jackie Robinson- What would you put in a go bag now that you've been through something like this.

[00:20:56] Jackie Robinson- You know when I think about all the things that people lost and so many people are thankful for just being safe and these are just things but you know. Jackie Robinson- I think that the more and more and no matter what state you live in there are threats of severe weather and events happening. Jackie Robinson- What would you put in that go bag or what would you tell another mom of young children to put in the go bag.

[00:21:20] Jackie Robinson- Yeah, I was sharing with my husband like from this point forward we will probably always have a go bag nearby. Jackie Robinson- And you know, I, I, unfortunately I keep thinking about it in terms of like you know all of the emergency disaster drills that children have to do these days.

[00:21:41] Jackie Robinson- And also, you know, you know, the response that government agencies have to do and you know doing a drill and being in it is like two totally vastly different things. Jackie Robinson- And you know you're not thinking straight you're just trying to you know get to safety or you know get to the next moment. Jackie Robinson- And so when we left, you know, it was approximately 10 o'clock Tuesday night.

[00:22:07] Jackie Robinson- I think we had an opportunity to leave a little bit earlier than most because most people were saying that they didn't get the evacuation notice until approximately three o'clock in the morning or somewhere thereabouts. Jackie Robinson- But where we live, which is fine between Lake Avenue, which is the main thoroughfare up the hill in El Tavino and Santa Rosa.

[00:22:29] Jackie Robinson- My husband walked to the end of the block saw the fire coming over the hill and he was basically just like let's go so we threw literally, you know, a couple pieces of clothes and cloth in a, in a suitcase and left. Jackie Robinson- But some people didn't even have that opportunity and so I would definitely you know paper can be. Jackie Robinson- Paper can be replaced in terms of birth certificates and everything but.

[00:22:51] Jackie Robinson- I think every day I have at least two or three thoughts of something that was in the house that I wish I would have, you know, had the wherewithal and mindset to grab, you know things like you know sores, you know, umbilical cord baby had. Jackie Robinson- That I had stored I had some photo albums from my aunt who has since Jackie Robinson- I had passed away of my dad's family in Louisiana.

[00:23:15] Jackie Robinson- You know, middle school and high school yearbooks that are many of the people again that have been, you know, displaced and you know homes have been destroyed. Jackie Robinson- Just things that have no cash value that you can't recreate they just have to live on in our minds and so you know. Jackie Robinson- Just some of those basic things that you know you store away and think you'll always have them and they're just no more now.

[00:23:44] Jackie Robinson- So for for those that are listening to what you've experienced and for so many. Jackie Robinson- In your community, you know what are organizations that have been most effective for you. Jackie Robinson- How can people support you and others in California. Jackie Robinson- I just don't want to lose because every day feels like a major news story.

[00:24:08] Jackie Robinson- It's very important to me to keep focus on the people in California and in other places that have gone through craziness the past few weeks. Jackie Robinson- But how can people help? Jackie Robinson- Thank you, I appreciate that. Jackie Robinson- I mean, a lot of people, including my own family have go fund means and I shared with that that strict share that with you earlier.

[00:24:32] Jackie Robinson- And then also there's a lot of community organizations that are fundraising, especially the whole hyper local ones like the past in education foundation. Jackie Robinson- Pasadena Community Foundation and others. Jackie Robinson- And then also I think I want people most to remember that like, even though it feels like years, we're only three weeks removed from all of this happening.

[00:25:00] Jackie Robinson- It is going to be a multi year recovery process. Jackie Robinson- And you know, some of the federal resources and you know, other nonprofit and community based resources that were from other states, or even other countries, frankly, are starting to move out. Jackie Robinson- And so we'll all still be here and needing help, needing support. Jackie Robinson- And so I would just urge everyone to, you know, please don't forget about us. Jackie Robinson- We're going to be here for the long haul.

[00:25:27] Jackie Robinson- Myself and others are committed to staying here and remaining in El Tavino. Jackie Robinson- But a lot of us are displaced right now living in nearby cities, living in far away cities, in fact. Jackie Robinson- And so just trying to maintain the integrity of our community from afar, and also trying to be engaged in discussions and policy making decisions that are going to be happening as being revealed.

[00:25:52] Jackie Robinson- And because you have ties, deep ties to both Pasadena and Altadena, but California is so big. Jackie Robinson- Can you just paint a picture on kind of how far away your two pins in the map may be so that people can understand? Jackie Robinson- I know that there were nine fires. Jackie Robinson- Even impacting you and your family, the two kind of- Jackie Robinson- Yeah, so I think the most talked about is Palisades and Altadena, which is the fire.

[00:26:21] Jackie Robinson- And Los Angeles County is a big county. Jackie Robinson- Palisades is, I would say, at least an hour and probably 15 minutes away from Altadena on a good traffic day, and there's never a good traffic day in Los Angeles. Jackie Robinson- But they're essentially by the beach, PCH, and Altadena is in the upper foothills of San Gabriel Valley.

[00:26:47] Jackie Robinson- And so it's two very different communities, but I would say the impact of the loss is the same. Jackie Robinson- Again, because you can't recreate, no matter how much your wealth is, you can't recreate the memories and the irreplaceable items. Jackie Robinson- I've been in it all, many of them for, you know, we have a lot of seniors, multi-generational artifacts and history that's been lost.

[00:27:14] Jackie Robinson- And so, yeah, just us remembering that, you know, our losses are the same. Jackie Robinson- I mean, the amount of wealth we have and that, you know, the recovery needs to be equitable in terms of getting assistance to both homeowners but also long term renters that have lived in the community for, you know, decades.

[00:27:40] Jackie Robinson- Well, we end every conversation with two questions and I'm going to kind of change it up for this conversation. Jackie Robinson- Considering that you are just navigating your local community. Jackie Robinson- We usually ask people where they've been recently or where they're going because they travel so much. Jackie Robinson- But I would like to ask you what was your favorite restaurant in Altadena? Jackie Robinson- And is it still standing?

[00:28:07] Jackie Robinson- And if not, what was your favorite dish there? Jackie Robinson- And if it is still standing, we'd love to know the name so that someday if someone's traveling through L.A., they can go and support it. Jackie Robinson- Well, that's such a good question. Jackie Robinson- So our favorite restaurant in Altadena was El Patron, which is a Mexican family owned Mexican food restaurant. Jackie Robinson- And it is still standing one of the very few that is still standing.

[00:28:33] Jackie Robinson- They've been assisting, you know, first responders and community people by providing food in the last several weeks as well. Jackie Robinson- And it was a favorite restaurant of my daughter. Jackie Robinson- She's been going there since she was in my belly. Jackie Robinson- And so that was our favorite restaurant in Altadena proper. Jackie Robinson- And we look forward to going back when they have an opportunity to reopen to the public.

[00:29:02] Jackie Robinson- Well, you've always been sturdy as a tree. Jackie Robinson- That's why I've always loved you. Jackie Robinson- I'm thankful for you and your friendship and your leadership in your community. Jackie Robinson- And I'm so sorry this has happened to you. Jackie Robinson- But thank you for taking a little time to talk to us and sharing what's happening in Southern California. Jackie Robinson- And we look forward to returning there. Jackie Robinson- When as it's rebuilding as you said- Jackie Robinson- Yes, we would love to host you.

[00:29:31] Jackie Robinson- And if anybody would like to reach out or would like to donate or know a reputable organization to donate to, feel free to reach out to me. Jackie Robinson- I'm on all the social media at Jackie Robinson, J-A-C-Q-U-E, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Jackie Robinson- I'm happy to help. Jackie Robinson- Thank you. Jackie Robinson- Great. Jackie Robinson- Thanks Jackie.

[00:29:58] Jackie Robinson- And we'll put a link to your GoFund page in the show notes so that people have access to that. Jackie Robinson- All the best. Jackie Robinson- Thank you. Jackie floaty- Thank you so much. Jackie Robinson- Okay. Jackie Robinson- Okay, Maggie. unwanted on the channel? Thank you.