Meet Manpreet

“I’m a homegrown advocate. Community work isn’t new to me, it’s true to me.”

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“Like my own family, I believe all families should have a fair shot at the American dream.”

Born and raised in Bakersfield, I am proud to call Ward 7 my home. I am the daughter of immigrants from Punjab and raised by my grandmother. My father worked as a long-haul truck driver my whole life, and my mother has worked for the United States Postal Service for over 20 years. Their hard work and resilience built my determination and they emphasized the importance of a good education. My grandmother’s nurturing love taught me compassion, which I bring every day to my community work. Like my own family, I believe all families should have a fair shot at the American dream.

I am a proud alum of Ward 7’s public schools. After graduating from Ridgeview High School, I attended UC San Diego to study Political Science. I then started Kern County’s chapter of the Jakara Movement that has now served thousands of local residents. My community involvement and passion to improve people’s lives sent me to Graduate School to attain my double Masters degrees in Urban & Regional Planning and Public Policy. I studied how regional planning and policies can dramatically affect our health, welfare, food systems and the environment, and how it’s essential we integrate the two to create urban and rural areas fit for the needs of local people.

“Like my own family, I believe all families should have a fair shot at the American dream.”

I’m now an Urban and City Planner and Policy Analyst, and have worked on projects partnering with local cities and organizations to design better communities. I’ve worked in a wide range of areas from child care, translation services, worker’s rights during COVID-19, and creating fair map lines. I’ve been involved in policy work locally, statewide, and nationally to redefine what is possible through dedicated collaboration.

Bakersfield’s Ward 7 is my home, and with my education, professional and community experience I have the knowledge and solutions to tackle our deepest challenges. I’m now ready to advocate for my neighbors at council level to ensure your voice is not only heard but forms every policy, so Bakersfield becomes a place where people’s needs are met. Together we can build a better Bakersfield for tomorrow and for future generations. 

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History of Service

  • Aug 15, 2022

    2011-2016

    • Associated Student Body President, Ridgeview High School.
    • Selected for ‘Ford Dimension Dream Builders’.
    • Completed Bachelors in Political Science, University of California, San Diego.
  • Aug 15, 2022

    2016

    • Founded the Kern chapter for Jakara Movement, a community-based service. organization, which supports young people and students with educational programmes to gain leadership skills, raise awareness on substance-use to improve civic engagement.
    • Appointed to ‘Keep Bakersfield Beautiful Committee’ by Council Member Chris Parlier to improve the ecological and aesthetic value of our city.
  • Aug 15, 2022

    2017

    • Appointed to ‘Early Childhood Council of Kern’ by Kern County Board of Supervisors. Worked in child care to identify service gaps, provide countywide solutions and mobilize public and private resources to address issues. Also conducted reviews of the California Department of Education and California Department of Social Services to ensure priorities were being met.
    • Partnered with Kern High School District to bring state recognised Punjabi language courses to Ridgeview High School to strengthen community bonds and widen new language opportunities.
  • Aug 15, 2022

    2018

    • Brought Lalkaar Conference, the longest running American Sikh conference, to Bakersfield to create a platform for thought-provoking and inspirational conversations covering topics from multicultural identity, women’s rights, and community building.
    • Expanded high school honors and service society chapters across Bakersfield to create a network of students building community betterment projects, strengthening leadership and academic excellence.
  • Aug 15, 2022

    2019

    • 2019 Recipient of Bakersfield’s 20 under 40 People to Watch.
      Recipient of ‘Wonderful Public Service Graduate Fellowship’ by The Wonderful Company - Maddy Institute.
    • Led the Redistricting Campaign in Bakersfield to successfully advocate for fair and equitable maps, by keeping communities together.
    • Joined the Kern County Sheriff’s Department Communitywide Advisory Council.
    • Member of ABC 23 News EDI Community Advisory Board.
  • Aug 15, 2022

    2020

    • Led efforts to drive the Sikh communities involvement in the Census Kern Complete Count Committee through the countywide ‘Get Out the Count’ coalition and led on the communications campaign.
  • Aug 15, 2022

    2021

    • Created COVID-19 response material in light of missing resources, particularly language access and testing disparities in hard-to-reach communities.
    • Addressed worker’s rights concerns and violations in food processing plants during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • Planned and ran a statewide car rally from Los Angeles to the Bay Area amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in support of the historic Farmers Protest occurring in India, with thousands from across the state in attendance.
    • Fulfilled MPA Thesis Workshop Policy Project: Improving Youth Outcomes in Wisconsin’s Youth Justice System Post-Pandemic: Fines, Fees, and Community Supervision.
  • Aug 15, 2022

    2022

    • Instructor on University of Wisconsin Course: Contemporary Public Policy Issues.
    • Completed Masters in Public Affairs, La Follette School of Public Affairs, University of Wisconsin, Madison.
    • Completed Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning, University of Wisconsin, Madison. Focused practice in Transportation and the Built Environment, Housing and Public Policy, Financial City Planning, Land Use and Planning.

Future

Together, building a better Bakersfield for everyone.

Let's Talk

I want to hear from my neighbors. Tell me about your ideas for a better Bakersfield.

Email me