Carson, CA — For Ayanna Davis, running for California State Assembly District 65 is not about politics—it is about purpose.

Rooted in Compton and raised in a family deeply connected to public service and organized labor, Davis says her decision to run for office is a natural progression of the life she has always known: advocacy, service, and fighting for working families.

“So what I saw was a man getting up, going to work in the school district,” Davis said, reflecting on her grandfather, who worked as a plant manager for Lynwood Unified School District and was part of SEIU. “I saw him as a laborer, a union person, and a manager. So all I knew was hardworking” .

Her grandmother later became a teacher and fought for educators’ rights through her union. Her mother worked in human resources representing managers for the City of Compton, while her father and stepfather also worked in union-backed professions.

“The natural path for me to follow their footsteps was easy,” Davis said. “To fight for people, to fight for workers, and service, stand up for those that don’t have the voice and the power—advocacy” .

Though her family was active in service and labor, Davis notes that stepping into elected office moves her family’s legacy into a new space.

“For me to take this step, that does move our family legacy to a different space,” she said .

During the interview, Inland Valley News Publisher and Carson Compass founder Ta Lese Morrow connected with Davis on the idea of legacy-building through community institutions.

“Much like the Inland Valley News and the Carson Compass, my father started the Inland Valley News in ’92,” Morrow said. “And I always played in this one box… and then bam, here comes this need for a newspaper in Carson. So I kind of—the path was charted—but much like you, kind of veering off to create another layer of legacy for those that are to come”.

Davis responded warmly, recognizing the long-term power of community storytelling.

“It’s amazing. Communication and print goes a long way,” Davis said. “It lasts forever” .

With more than 30 years in education—as a teacher, principal, and school board member with Compton Unified—Davis says improving outcomes for Black children statewide starts with advocacy and understanding systems from the inside.

“Not everyone knows how to fight. Not everyone knows what to ask for and not everyone knows what they should ask for,” Davis said. “For me to be able to be that surrogate, that’s what I can offer to Black families and Black students” .

She shared a painful memory from her own childhood that shaped her determination to disrupt low expectations.

“One teacher told me that by the age of 15, because I’m from Compton and from a single-parent home, I would have been a victim of gang violence, teenage pregnancy, or incarceration,” Davis said. “I couldn’t wait to get back when I became principal” .

Morrow called that mindset harmful and dangerous.

“That’s horrible,” Morrow said. “Even if you think it, you are still teaching these children to the best of your ability” .

Davis also emphasized that early childhood education is one of the strongest tools for economic mobility.

“College and career readiness begins in preschool,” she said. “Preschool is learning how to learn… and the data shows you would have a higher chance to graduate from high school, pursue a career, and go to college” .

She believes combining high-quality preschool with workforce development and adult education creates lasting economic change for families.

“I believe whole pedagogy and andragogy—that you never stop learning and you always have an opportunity to reimagine your life,” Davis said .

Housing affordability and homelessness also remain central priorities for her campaign. Davis supports affordable housing development paired with mental health services, rehabilitation programs, and workforce development.

“The funding should be services here,” she said. “We shouldn’t expect people to go find services” .

She also spoke candidly about her own personal financial hardships, including divorce and bankruptcy, saying her lived experience helps her relate to working families.

“I’m a normal me,” Davis said. “I didn’t come from a trust fund. I’m just a working mom who went through hard times” .

Morrow agreed, noting that many families never even attempt homeownership because they already feel defeated.

“There’s a lot of folks that won’t even try because they’re already so defeated based on being victims of circumstance,” Morrow said .

On public safety, Davis supports both prevention and enforcement, emphasizing stronger relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

“As a Black mom with a Black son, I have my own fears of him with police encounters,” she said. “So what I did is I put him in the LAPD cadet program so he can understand the language” .

She believes trust must be rebuilt through direct engagement and transparency.

“Not every police officer is bad. Not every department is corrupted,” Davis said. “I do believe in bridging the gap between local law enforcement and residents” .

As voters continue learning more about her record, Davis says what sets her apart is simple: authenticity.

“I am from here. I don’t move around to run,” she said. “I’m not a person who’s run for office many times, so the sincerity and the genuine part of me—I think that’s reflecting” .

Morrow closed the conversation with a strong endorsement.

“I think you’re the perfect candidate,” she said. “I really do” .

For Davis, leadership is not about personal ambition—it is about listening, coalition-building, and serving the people who trust her to represent them.

“Not my will, but what’s the will of the people?” Davis said. “What do you need from me?”