This is a highly inspiring conversation with Elisa Crespo, who is running for a seat on the New York City Council in District 15. I was deeply touched by her life story and how she came to discover who she really is and why she is here, plus what leads her to want to give back to the community at large and those who are less fortunate. If she succeeds, Elisa would become the first trans city lawmaker.

Elisa Crespo is the first trans woman of color to run for NYC Council in the Bronx, NY. Elisa is running to represent District 15 in the heart of the Bronx, which includes Belmont, Fordham, Tremont, Mount Hope, Allerton, Olinville, Van Nest, West Farms, and Bedford Park.

Elisa holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science with a minor in Human Rights, from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She has an insatiable desire for public service and has served her community as an elected student activist sitting on various university-wide committees within the City University of New York (CUNY). Throughout her tenure as a student activist Elisa fought unapologetically to preserve the affordability and accessibility of the city's public higher education system and to promote voter awareness to her fellow peers.

Elisa currently serves as the Education Liaison at the Bronx Borough President's office, making her the first openly transgender woman of color to work for a borough-wide office in the Bronx. In her role at the Borough President's office, Elisa has helped countless families navigate the bureaucracy that is NYC's Education system. She has advocated for parents whose children have been victims of bullying and those who have been deprived of crucial special education services.

A product of public institutions from public schools to public transportation, Elisa has firsthand lived experience with the social disparities that exist in New York City. Her story is one of overcoming struggle and defying all odds. She is the daughter of a working class Latina who relied on the social safety net to put food on the table and keep a roof over her head.

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Paul Samuel Dolman, author, podcaster, and speaker, presents What Matters Most