—Systemic change begins with personal change—
Joe Collin’s 13 years of patriotic service with the United States Navy has instilled into him a strong sense of duty, commitment and leadership. Joe’s formulative years growing up in South-Central Los Angeles has braced him for his new role, becoming the next U.S. Representative for California’s 43rd congressional district, to be the impact voice of change for his beloved community.
From his early upbringing on 104th and Normandie, Joe knows this district all too well: lack of quality education, unsafe gang activity, alarming high crime rate and rampant homelessness. Returning one fateful Sunday afternoon from his grandfather’s community church, a drive-by shooting incident left bullets riddled through the family house, piercing windows and into the cushions of the sofa, pressing Joe Collins’ mother into a steadfast decision for her children’s sake, one that changed their lives forever. She immediately decided to move her family to a rural locale outside of Dallas where Joe’s mother still teaches today.
Upon finishing high school in Texas, Joe made the most pivot-able decision of his life, choosing a career path of service to his country by enlisting in the U.S. Navy.
Rising eventually to the rank of Petty Officer First Class, Joe began his career specializing as a naval jet aviation mechanic, working on and then training thousands of sailors on aircraft including the F-18 Super Hornet fighter, E-6 Mercury Airborne Command Post, and MH-60 Sea Hawk Assault Helicopter. As a leader in uniform he obtained several military and civic certifications, becoming a licensed financial planning professional and a certified counselor for rape and sexual assault victims. While earning numerous awards and commendations, Joe embraced his role as a top Navy recruiter whereby he had the honor of jump-starting the careers of many who have since gone on to become fine American leaders. Joe served his country with distinction during the successful campaign of Operation Iraqi Freedom and as he moved on from the Navy in 2017, Joe’s accumulated wealth of experience qualifies him to run for Congress. Joe knows he can better serve the American people and become a positive role model for young people within the inner city by bringing his distinctive leadership skill sets to the table by directly representing them.
After the divisiveness and rancorous rhetoric of the 2016 election, Joe empathized with many disenfranchised Americans, feeling the stinging aftermath of that highly polarized climate that continues to be exhibited today. Joe recognizes several alarming factors about the country’s current state of affairs: the media’s role in escalating unwarranted public anger; the gap between party lines that has become much more difficult to bridge; the lack of politicians listening to their constituents with an empathetic ear; and, with most politicians simply talking without purpose or a plan for the future.
Joe E. Collins III, has already taken an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America. His compelling decision to run for office and serve as congressional representative in defending those without a voice who live, work and do business in California’s 43rd District, was easy for Joe. He earnestly and un-waveringly advocates for fair treatment, equality, and respect for all citizens of our great country and community. Americans deserve a leader who will raise a voice and fight for them, and Californians need a leader who will bring integrity and opportunity back to the South Los Angeles community.
Last time Joe committed to organizing and participating in a beach clean-up as part of his campaign. In today's episode he shares the state of the region, including the extent of homelessness, drugs, and violence, which made acting so far impossible. We revisit the commitment as well as personal thoughts on what's happening to America, at least in its major cities of New York City and Los Angeles. Then Joe recommits and shares his new expectations of success.
I met Joe when we spoke together on an online panel hosted by Magamedia.org. I knew he was running for office and anticipated conservative politics, but on the panel, I couldn't tell, despite the conservative context. I was curious so looked him up more and found an intriguing background and passion. Joe emerged from youth involving gangs to join the Navy, now running for office. He considers the incumbent insensitive to his district's needs, but he grew up there. He knows its problems. You'll hear in our conversation a passion as great as his frustration with the situation he wants to change. Environment factors in some to his campaign and platform, but not its top priority. Still, he shares his caring with us and takes on a challenge to act on those values. He's conservative, which many associate with insensitivity or denial of our environmental problems, but I hear him caring as much as anyone. Listen to hear his values and commitment to act on them.