President - Porsche Middleton

Councilmember, Citrus Heights

Porsche Middleton serves as the Councilmember of Citrus Heights as well as the President for the African American Caucus. She is marked as the caucus’ first-vice president, when the board was established in 2021. Middleton serves as the first African American woman on the city council of Citrus Heights and the only African American woman to be elected to a Sacramento region’s legislative body. Even as a former corporate executive, Porsche has had an active role within the Citrus Heights community by developing housing policies/projects at the state and local levels and serving on multiple boards that service the Citrus Heights youth.Middleton also serves as a representative of Citrus Heights on the Sacramento Steps Forward Homelessness Policy Council, a nonprofit committed to provide support and services to those experiencing homelessness. Porsche was also appointed to the California Housing Partnership Board. As the President, Porsche Middleton’s dedication and hard work shine bright as she strives to help the African American Caucus grow in its potential.

1st Vice President - Racquel Vasquez

Mayor, Lemon Grove

Raquel Vasquez serves as the Mayor of the City of Lemon Grove. She is the first African American female mayor to be elected not only in the City of Lemon Grove but also the County of San Diego. With experience as a public relations professional in city government for more than 20 years and an active Lemon Grove community member, it only makes sense that her passion to serve the community would grow and naturally find herself in a position that can help her city the most. Vasquez’s passion and vigor for her role as Mayor of Lemon Grove, makes her an invaluable aspect as our second vice president. We implore you to follow Raquel Vasquez as she establishes herself as a prominent figure in the City of Lemon Grove and County of San Diego.

2nd Vice President & Treasurer - Ian Oglesby

Mayor, Seaside

Ian Oglesby is the Mayor of Seaside and the treasurer of the African American Caucus. Oglesby was first elected to the office of the mayor in 2018 and reelected in 2020. Prior to serving as the mayor, Oglesby served as the County Economic Development Commissioner, County Board of Education Trustee, Planning Commissioner, Councilmember, and even the Mayor Pro-Tem (a considerable precursor to his future as mayor). Throughout his time working for the city of Seaside, Ian Oglesby has played a part in establishing multiple housing projects, city revival, and various other proposals to improve community safety and economic revival. As the treasurer, Oglesby is an integral part of the African American Caucus.

Secretary - Erica A. Stewart

Mayor, San Luis Obispo

Erica A. Stewart is the Mayor of San Luis Obispo and the Secretary of the African American Caucus. Stewart’s political career in San Luis Obispo shows itself with her experience volunteering in the area focusing on education, diversity, homelessness, growth for women and girls, and economic vitality. Her strive to create a healthier and stronger San Luis Obispo reflects in her previous work in health care, SLO County Superior Court, and the former Chief Operating Officer at United Way. As secretary for the African American Caucus, Erica A. Stewart showcases her effortless skills to contribute to the organization and to the city of San Luis Obispo.

Immediate Past President - Walt Allen, III

Mayor, Covina

Walt Allen serves as the council member in the city of Covina as well as the president of the African American Caucus. Allen has a long career in law enforcement from his appointment by former Gov. Schwarzenegger as director of the California Youth Authority in 2003 to serving as a deputy commissioner for the board of parole hearings through June 2013. Walt also serves on the board for Ettie Lee Youth and Family Services as well as being a representative of the Cal Poly Pomona Alumni Association. His work as the president of the African American Caucus shows his passion for his community and civil service.

Executive Director - Marla A. Matime

Marla serves Cal Cities as the Executive Director of the African American Caucus. She earned a bachelor’s in communication with an emphasis in journalism from the University of Phoenix. She started with the caucus as a project manager and quickly grew into her leadership role and led the charge of forming the board of directors in 2021.

Marla has been an integral part of the consistent growth of the caucus by establishing workshops and webinars to provide educational tools and resources to local elected officials across the state of California.

She is the founder and CEO of The MAR.M Agency LLC, an advertising and communications agency in Riverside, California where she resides with her husband of 14 years, three children, and mother.

General Counsel - Bruce Soublet

Sr. Assistant City Attorney, Richmond

Bruce Soublet is the Sr. Assistant City Attorney and ADA Coordinator for the city of Richmond as well as the General Counsel for the African American Caucus. Soublet has previously worked in various areas of the legal field such as nonprofit organizations, labor and employment law, ADA, trials, legal writing, and government. As the general counsel, Soublet provides the caucus with a great amount of information, legal advice, and scope of what the African American Caucus can do to stay on top of policies/laws within California.

Member-at-Large - Minnie Diallo

Council Member, Lathrop

Minnie Diallo is the city council member for the city of Lathrop and a Member-at-large for the African American Caucus. Diallo places great importance on public safety and quality of life for those residing in Lathrop. Minnie has previously served as the Chair of the Park and Recreation Department for the city of Lathrop. As a member-at-large, Diallo is an important part of the African American Caucus who provides a fresh take and fresh ideas.

Member-at-Large - Paul Akinjo

Council Member, Lathrop

Paul Akinjo served as a councilmember of Lathrop in 2012, with a double re-election in 2014 and 2018. He also currently works as a Technical Support Analyst in the County of Almeda. Akinjo has a strong commitment to giving back to the community to the best of his ability. This is shown by his time in the United States Army Reserves where he received an honorable discharge, previous work in the City of Oakland as a Community Organizer for Affordable Housing, serving as a delegate for the Central Valley Executive Committee with the League of California Cities, San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Special City Selection Committee Delegate, and the list goes on. Paul is very active within his community, within his city, and within his county. As the member-at-large, Paul Akinjo serves as a valuable part of the African American Caucus.

Member-at-Large - Princess Washington

Mayor Pro Tem, Suisun City

Princess Washington was elected to serve on the council in 2022. Councilmember Washington represents Suisun City on the following Boards and Agencies: Suisun City Successor Agency, Suisun City Housing Authority, Suisun-Solano Water Authority, and the Fairfield-Suisun Sewer District. She was recently nominated to serve on the Sierra Club National Board of Directors.

She is deeply committed to serving the community of Suisun City, Solano County and Beyond!

Member-at-Large - Dr. Tamala Kelly

Councilmember, Monrovia

Dr. Tamala Kelly serves the city of Monrovia, and have been a part of the Monrovia community for the past 20 years. Dr. Kelly has organized community health fairs, food and clothing drives, hot meal deliveries, and served as an Ambassador with Child Help USA and a Partner with the Monrovia Youth Alliance through the Santa Anita Family YMCA. 

Dr. Kelly received a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Azusa Pacific University. She is currently the CEO of Empower 2 Purpose, Inc. Together with her husband, they founded The Purpose Church in Monrovia.

Member-at-Large - Devin Murphy

Councilmember/Mayor Emeritus, Pinole

Devin T. Murphy is city’s first African American, first openly gay, and youngest mayor in its 120-year history. He was elected as a member of the Pinole City Council on November 3, 2020 with the highest number of votes of any candidate in Pinole’s history.

Since being elected, Devin has championed a more transparent, citywide participatory budgeting process, the city’s economic development strategy to promote small business growth and economic opportunity, new private-public investments in housing, and concrete local action on energy efficiency and addressing the climate crisis.