The Reluctant Leader and Community Engagement

Gina Viola describes her journey as a reluctant leader in her community, highlighting her involvement in political campaigns and local activism. Despite her hesitance, she has taken on leadership roles, demonstrating a strong commitment to community issues, particularly surrounding incarceration and social justice. Through her work on Measure R, which opposed the expansion of jails in Los Angeles, she engaged with residents door-to-door, sharing stories to shed light on the impacts of jailing on families and communities. This grassroots approach aimed to raise awareness, especially within white communities, about the systemic issues that affect marginalized populations.