Last Monday Long Beach City College announced Mayor Robert Garcia as this year’s keynote speaker for the virtual commencement ceremony scheduled for early June.
The decision came after his efforts to lead Long Beach through the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Garcia, the city’s youngest and first openly gay mayor, has seen his approval ratings rise as he continues to implement policies to combat the spread of COVID-19.
One of those policies includes a recently revealed multi-million dollar financial relief grant for the city’s small businesses. He also implemented rent relief programs for qualifying low-income Long Beach residents and provided multiple vaccination sites for eligible citizens.
Garcia saw first hand the disastrous effects COVID-19 could have on a family when his own mother and step-father tragically succumbed to the virus in July of last year. Instead of losing hope, the young Latino mayor used the experience as a reminder of the millions of Americans going through the same tragedy.
Marcos Rosales, a political science major at LBCC admires Mayor Garcia and is interested to hear what he will say in his commencement speech.
“Most people forget that the guy is really young… like if anyone were allowed to make dumb mistakes it would be him. But the way he has handled everything even after losing some family to [the virus] is crazy,” Rosales said.
Along with his accomplishments as mayor, Garcia has a backstory that can serve as an example of what hard work and determination can achieve. At only 5 years old he and his mother immigrated to the United States from Peru.
Later in life, Garcia obtained a master’s degree from USC. He also received two degrees from CSU Long Beach; A Doctorates in education and a Bachelor’s in communications.
During his time as a student Garcia became president of the Associated Students and served as the California Youth Coordinator for George W. Bush during his 2020 Presidential Campaign. In 2007, he founded what is now a popular local news source, The Long Beach Post.
After finishing college, Garcia served as a professor of communications at both LBCC and CSULB. His husband, Matthew Mendez, still teaches at the state college.
Garcia has gained popularity with the younger generation of Long Beach residents because they can relate to him.
“He seems like someone you could go out and have a good time with. Even though his job is probably stressful he’s always smiling. Just seems like an overall nice person,” Long Beach resident Juanita Lopez said.
Former keynote speakers include ABC broadcast journalist Veronica Miracle, hip-hop artist Ahmad Ali Lewis, and local Los Angeles celebrity Chef T.
It is unknown what Mayor Garcia will address in his keynote speech. However, his story of overcoming obstacles throughout his life will serve as a testimony of faith and dedication for all 2021 LBCC graduates.