Angelica Sanchez

Community organizer Angelica Sanchez is originally from Compton, California. Still, she now resides in South Los Angeles, where she works to educate residents and encourages them to use their voices and flex their power. The system impacted community activist started working with Community Coalition after meeting CoCo’s then Civic Engagement Specialist Linda Gomez in 2018.”I met Linda Gomez, and she offered me my first job ever as a part-time canvasser. I started working closely with her on such campaigns as Measure J, Measure R, Prop 17 and Prop 47. Linda was my mentor and never stopped believing in me. She always checked up on me, making sure I was good. As the grateful person I am, I always showed up and showed out at all events,” Sanchez explains.

Her activism gradually expanded to include involvement with organizations like Homeboy Industries, Time Done, and Safety and Justice. Then, on January 14, 2022, Linda Gomez, who had played such a significant role in Angelica’s growth, passed away suddenly.

“Because of her, I am no longer that little girl who doesn’t know my life’s mission. Linda is watching over me. I am determined to be the voice for those who cannot speak for themselves and fight the fight for those behind bars. I will continue to fight for Black and Brown communities that are faced with so many injustices. I will always remember a quote Linda would tell me “Struggle is a never-ending process. Freedom is never really won. You earn it and win it in every generation.”— Mrs. Coretta Scott King.

Fun Fact: Angelica had her first job at age 38 (part-time). First job with benefits, here at CoCo at age 42.