12/16 Dine & Dialogue w/ Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe

Description

Sit down with San Diego County District 4 Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe.
Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe is a dedicated community advocate, leader, and public servant whose work is rooted in a commitment to equity and empowerment. She was sworn in to serve San Diego County District Four on December 5, 2023, and became the County's first Black woman elected to the Board. Born and raised in San Diego, California, she is honored to represent the vibrant neighborhoods and unincorporated areas of the Fourth District.
Monica received her Bachelor's degree in Political Science at Spelman College and earned her Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law. After passing the California Bar, she practiced in civil rights, consumer, real estate, and bankruptcy law. Monica later served at the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties as a Criminal Justice Advocate, leading the local campaign to reform the money bail system. 
In 2018, Monica Montgomery Steppe achieved a significant milestone by being elected to the San Diego City Council, representing nearly 160,000 constituents of District 4. Her election marked a pivotal moment, as she became a powerful voice for her constituents, advocating for policies that prioritize equity, fairness, and inclusivity.
Throughout her tenure, Monica served as the Council President pro-Tem and chaired the Budget & Government Efficiency Committee-- overseeing the process for the City's $5.2 billion budget. She also chaired the Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods Committee, advocating for equitable government practices, better economic opportunities for people of color, and better relationships between community members and police officers.
By partnering with community organizations and city leaders, Monica established "The Peace Movement: Let's Live, Let's Love" in 2019 as a proactive and holistic approach to mitigate violence and ensure all communities are safe. As an integral component of The Peace Movement, Monica advocated for the No Shots Fired Pilot Intervention & Prevention Program, which implemented community-based public safety professionals responding to and intervening in gang-related gun violence. She also established the Office of Race & Equity at the City of San Diego with a $3 million Equity Fund.
With Monica's vision for change in historically underserved communities, she became immersed in various initiatives. She is dedicated to working tirelessly to address systemic inequalities and amplify the voices of every San Diegan. For her leadership, Monica has received many notable accolades and awards, including 2018 Voice of San Diego Voice of the Year and the 2019 San Diego Democratic Party Making a Difference Award.
Monica is the eldest daughter of Clifford and Patricia Montgomery. She is a wife, sister, niece, and a proud aunt.