 Luis Sanchez Vice President |
For over 20 years, Luis A. Sánchez has dedicated his work to building movement infrastructure for social justice efforts in Los Angeles and throughout California. Mr. Sánchez currently serves as Executive Director for Power California which is the largest youth civic engagement organization in the nation focused on activating and mobilizing young voters statewide. Since 2020, the organization’s efforts have registered over 100,000 eligible young people to vote and engaged and mobilized more than 300,000 voters across the state. Previously, Mr. Sánchez led a statewide alliance of organizations to improve outcomes for boys and young men of color and developed policy solutions in the areas of education, health, housing, employment and criminal justice. He played an instrumental role developing and leading The California Endowment’s statewide youth organizing strategy resulting in impactful philanthropic investments to advance youth powered campaigns.
Another key leadership role Mr. Sánchez played is serving as Chief of Staff to former LAUSD School Board Member Monica Garcia who represented Board District 2. During his tenure, Mr. Sanchez worked to champion national models of school transformation that today continue to offer students more personalized learning environments focused on high academic outcomes. Another key achievement included helping to pass the largest school bond in California history that has resulted in modernizing many LAUSD campuses. Additionally, Mr. Sánchez’ role as the Board President’s senior advisor advanced equity and opportunity in the areas of worker compensation, school funding, facilities, school discipline, health services and safety.
Mr. Sánchez is also a founder and former Executive Director for InnerCity Struggle which now serves as an anchor organization in the Eastside of Los Angeles. During his time with InnerCity Struggle, he developed the organizing and campaign infrastructure to effectively engage young people and families to build grassroots community power to advance educational justice and mobilize Latinx voters.
Mr. Sánchez has deep experience in bringing people together to address pressing issues impacting their communities. He presently serves as Vice Chair of the California Working Families Party and as Secretary and Board Member of the Community Coalition in South Los Angeles. He is also an Executive Committee Member for the Million Voters Project and recently served as Chair of the LAUSD Redistricting Commission which developed an equity map incorporating public input, data and the Voting Rights Act.
As former Vice President of the Los Angeles City Board of Recreation and Parks Commissioners, Mr. Sánchez worked closely with the Villaraigosa administration to launch joint- use initiatives specifically focused on supporting quality of life and LA’s youth. He worked to expand the Summer Night Lights program. This violence prevention initiative continues today at parks and public housing complexes offering recreational activities, mentoring programs, meals and other services.
A long-time resident of El Sereno, Mr. Sánchez is the proud father of two children that benefit from LA’s recreation and sports activities. He has also served as a volunteer coach for little league baseball and flag football. He knows firsthand the role that open and accessible green spaces play in ensuring LA’s children thrive, especially in LA’s highest need communities.