Aja Brown Quotes, born April 17, 1982, in Altadena, California, is an American politician and urban planner who made history as the youngest mayor of Compton, California, serving from 2013 to 2021. Elected at age 31, she defeated incumbent Eric J. Perrodin and former mayor Omar Bradley with her “New Vision for Compton,” focusing on economic development, family values, and community revitalization. Her initiatives, including gang peace negotiations and a universal basic income program, reduced crime and unemployment, earning her the 2016 John F. Kennedy New Frontier Award. These 15 quotes—sourced from interviews, public statements, and posts—reflect her wisdom on leadership, equity, resilience, and community transformation, capturing her trailblazing spirit and commitment to change.
15 Aja Brown Quotes
- “Progress comes at a price. You have to be willing to make tough calls and take the hits.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “We all have a social responsibility and have to be mindful of what we do and say.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “I know what it takes to move cities forward. It’s not about rhetoric and great speaking, but it takes relationships.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “The only difference between Compton and other cities is the ZIP Code, you know, and the mindset—it’s just really about challenging people to take ownership of our community.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “Sometimes, growth isn’t always equal to success. You may fall forward and continue to make some mistakes, but it’s all about growth and really finding the lessons that need to be learned.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “I believe the people of Compton are ready for change. They’ve spoken. Their voice has clearly been heard that they don’t want to go backward.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “It’s all about making sure kids can have access to educational opportunities… you may not need a necessarily traditional college environment, but access to trades and employment development.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “Building and creating any significant change requires buy-in from those you serve.” (Global Leadership Network, 2019)
- “As a woman and as a person of color, I’ve always understood that I would have to work harder; I would have to have thicker skin.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “Compton is a beautiful city. It’s not just gangster rap—it’s a community poised for a huge revival.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “Leadership is about listening to the voices of criticism and turning them into solutions.” (Global Leadership Network, 2019)
- “Every step toward equity is a step toward redemption for communities like ours.” (Post on X, @AjaLBrown, 2018-04-17)
- “Change doesn’t happen in silos—it happens when we connect, collaborate, and commit.” (Interview, Forbes, 2017)
- “I believe in the power of second chances, because redemption is the heart of transformation.” (Post on X, @AjaLBrown, 2020-06-01)
- “A leader’s job is to carry the vision, but the community’s job is to bring it to life.” (Interview, The Atlantic, 2016)
Aja Brown’s quotes are a powerful blend of vision, resilience, and community-driven leadership, inspiring us to embrace change, build bridges, and own our role in progress. Which one’s got you ready to move forward? Drop it in the comments and keep Aja’s legacy of transformation alive!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
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