Together We Can Do It

About Me

Nice To Meet You,

My name is Nakenya, and I am a longtime Martinez resident, community organizer, proud mother, and dedicated advocate for a safer, more inclusive city. I hold a degree in Veterinary Technology and loved the time I spent working in animal hospitals and shelters, rescuing and rehoming pets. When I became a mother to a son who is medically sensitive with severe special needs, my priorities shifted profoundly. I now focus on his health and well-being, while working to build a community where every resident is valued, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive. In my rare moments of free time, I enjoy practicing Muay Thai and making my own holistic hair products.

A few years ago, I experienced a life-altering event in this town that pushed me out of my comfort zone, ignited my passion to strive for a safer and more diverse community for families like mine, and deepened my involvement in conversations about the city's future. Since then, I have worked to bring people together, strengthen community connections, and champion policies that support Martinez residents and local businesses.

My commitment to positive change extends beyond our city limits. I proudly serve on two county Board of Supervisor-appointed commissions:

Contra Costa County Commission for Women and Girls: I serve as Vice President and recently became the District 5 ambassador, engaging with my district to identify needs for women and girls and reporting them to our Board of Supervisors to find effective solutions.

Family and Children's Trust Committee (FACT): We oversee funding directed to various organizations designed to help families equitably and effectively.

I am also a proud member of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) of Contra Costa County, an organization that provides me with immense strength and gratitude.

Through my ongoing civic work, I have helped accomplish initiatives that have had a major impact on our city, including jump-starting important community events like Juneteenth and Pride. My vision has always been to create spaces where neighbors can connect, celebrate, and feel represented, which led me to advocate for city funding to ensure these holidays are celebrated with dignity and pride.

Successfully juggling the diverse challenges of motherhood, community organizing, and civic leadership has proven my ability to meet the demands of being an elected leader. I remain fully committed to building bridges across communities, protecting residents, and helping Martinez move forward together.

Join Me

Taking Action

Inclusive Leadership & Community Blending

I bring a unique perspective that allows our communities to blend more cohesively, making Martinez much more welcoming and inviting to a broad spectrum of people.

Balanced Solutions for Homelessness

I recognize that "one size doesn't fit all" when it comes to our homeless population, as people face homelessness for various reasons like financial hardship or mental illness. I advocate for an in-depth process to help individuals find the right services for their unique needs rather than relying solely on shelters.

Strengthen Prevention With Partnerships

Connecting community organizations, health providers, faith based partners, and County Agencies to align services

Community Benefit and Revenue Potential

Developing Preventative programs can create long-term economic value.

Build a Coalition for businesses Downtown

As the representative for the downtown area it's important for our businesses to feel supported by being heard. I will create a way to hear from business owners and make adjustments based on their collective lived experience.