Mark Takano is the first openly gay person of color to be elected to Congress. He grew up in California, and worked hard to improve the lives of the residents in Riverside County. Mark graduated as valedictorian in high school and received a bachelor’s degree in Government from Harvard College. After working as a teacher at Rialto High School, Mark wanted to confront the challenges in our daily education system. After being elected to Riverside’s Community College District’s Board of Trustees in 1990, he was elected Board President in 1991, and eventually in 2012, got elected to Congress. Throughout his career, he worked to improve higher education for young students and job training opportunities. He represents a symbol of possibility and change for those that may feel shadowed and ignored based on their identity.
