Surlene Grant
A proven leader focused on collaboration and community.
A lifetime of service, delivering real results.
As a city innovator, sustainable housing advocate, and Alameda County business leader, Surlene has brought change and innovation to San Leandro, Oakland, Alameda and San Lorenzo time after time.
How? By listening, collaborating and building coalitions. She believes that, together, communities can solve problems. Divided, we all lose. If she earns your vote, she will work hard to bridge communities, find agreements and forge solutions that work for all.
“My father, a Baptist minister, taught me to place an extra seat at the table for those in need. I took that to heart. That’s why I’ve devoted my life to serving our community—bringing everyone to the table. We need to work together for more housing, more mental health services, and economic opportunities so that all can thrive.” -Surlene
Surlene has transformed every space she has entered. She first started her career deep in the community, working to expand and improve programs at nonprofits like the YWCA or the Urban League of the Bay Area. Then, she worked as a Legislative Aide in the State Senate where she helped move forward landmark legislation. She also worked as the Assistant Press Secretary for the Speaker of the Assembly ensuring the public was aware of progress made in Sacramento.
After spending some time in the Capitol, she recognized the power of working on policy at a local level. She soon joined the City of Oakland’s Public Works and Transportation departments, ensuring residents were informed on special bond programs and services to enhance their quality of life. Trained in crisis communications, she managed communications and public information during the response and recovery to the Loma Prieta Earthquake and Oakland Hills Firestorm. Her skilled response under pressure led to her appointment as an Instructor at the FEMA National Emergency Training Center.
In addition to her professional activities, Surlene was active early in her career with many organizations in Oakland including the Women’s Economic Agenda Project, the Bay Area Black Journalists Association, Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the Martin Luther King Freedom Center.
Seeking housing that fit within her budget, Surlene moved from Oakland to San Leandro in 1993. Her professional experience and community activism naturally led to a proverbial “fight with City Hall.” After living and advocating in the city for five years, she was appointed as the first African American and person of color on the San Leandro City Council.
“My motivation was not to be the first, but to help others who might have challenges in the City similar to my own.”
— Surlene
At the time of the appointment, half the room walked out in protest. Nevertheless, she persisted, and eventually earned the trust of the community by listening to their concerns and forging consensus. She was re-elected two more times with nearly two-thirds of the vote. She ultimately served a total of 10 years and left the position due to term limits.
As Vice Mayor of San Leandro, Surlene spearheaded the city’s first ordinance requiring the inclusion of affordable housing in the development of all new residential housing, doing her part to turn the tide on the Bay Area housing crisis. She also introduced the city’s local procurement policy, helping to support local small businesses.
Surlene always stepped up to work on big issues, serving as Chair of the Alameda County Housing Authority, helping to improve access to housing, and as Chair of the San Leandro Finance Committee, where she helped balance the city’s budget. She also led the charge for the award-winning South Area Development Plan, which brought together community members to build a shared vision for the future of the neighborhood. She also served on the board of San Leandro Senior Housing, Inc. and as Chair of the Associated Community Action Program (ACAP).
All throughout, Surlene brought new voices into the city’s administration, breaking up the “old boys’ club,” and worked to make sure City Hall better reflected the community’s diversity. Grant has also co-founded Unity in the Community San Leandro, a coalition of residents who work to eliminate racism and bigotry in the city, and the African American Business Council, which supports Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs.
To honor her legacy of collaboration and innovation, San Leandro city leaders voted in 2018 to name the city’s community meeting space after her—the Surlene G. Grant Community Meeting Room.
Now, as a small business owner, she partners with local government and nonprofit organizations to build broad community coalitions around local housing and infrastructure projects. In her work, she has helped improve Kaiser Oakland Hospital, launch BART infrastructure projects and build affordable housing that fits into our neighborhoods. All along, she’s been a leader in the community, serving on the board of the local chamber of commerce and other community based organizations and coalitions.
