Reflecting on Progress and Celebrating Community: Successful 2nd Annual State of District 8 Celebration  

Sacramento, Calif. – The 2nd Annual State of District 8 Celebration held on Saturday, June 3rd, at the Winn Center, located at Cosumnes River College, was a resounding success, bringing together a vibrant and diverse community in South Sacramento. 

The event, organized to foster unity and collaboration, provided an opportunity for residents to celebrate and reflect on the collective progress made, shed light on pressing district issues, and envision a brighter future together. With an overwhelming turnout of enthusiastic attendees, the celebration proved to be a testament to the strong community bonds within District 8. 

Residents, local businesses, and organizations were acknowledged and applauded for their impactful contributions to the district. The event served as a moment to recognize the remarkable achievements of individuals and groups who consistently make a difference in South Sacramento, instilling a sense of pride and gratitude within the community. Additionally, the celebration marked a special occasion as the recipients of the inaugural Heart and Hustle Scholarship were awarded, with each deserving student receiving a $1,000 scholarship to support their educational journey. 

“I am honored to be awarded Youth of the Year for District 8 by Mayor Pro Tem Mai Vang. It's always an enjoyable experience to volunteer and connect with the community,” said Madelyn Lee. 

Esteemed guests, including Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen, Pamela Haynes, Trustee and Vice President of Los Rios Community College District Governing Board, Elk Grove Unified School District Trustee Sean Yang, Sacramento City Unified School District Trustee and President Chinua Rhodes, and Mayor Darrell Steinberg, graced the celebration with their presence, adding to the vibrancy and significance of the event. 

“Mayor Pro Tem Vang continues to deliver for District 8. From the Martin Luther King Jr. Library to laying the foundation for an iconic youth sports facility. I’m looking forward to what her effort and leadership will bring to South Sacramento next,” said Mayor Darrell Steinberg. 

Attendees had the opportunity to connect with neighbors, exchange ideas, and forge new collaborations, strengthening the fabric of their community. “Art should not only ignite and inspire the spirit of a community but provide meaningful information to educate the community,” said Shonna McDaniels of the Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum, and recipient of this year’s Artist of the Year Award. 

Mayor Pro Tem Vang expressed gratitude to all those who attended and extended a special thank you to the staff and volunteers who dedicated their time and effort to make the celebration a memorable one. 

As the event drew to a close, the prevailing sentiment was one of optimism and renewed commitment to continue working together to address the district's challenges and create an even brighter future. 

For more information on future community events and initiatives, please visit www.maivangsacramento.org or contact our office at district8@cityofsacramento.org or (916) 808-7008. 

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Mai Vang was elected to a four-year term on the Sacramento City Council in 2020 and represents, District 8, a vibrant and diverse community located in South Sacramento. It encompasses the communities of Meadowview, Detroit, Deerfield/Mesa Grande, Valley Hi, Delta Shores, and North Laguna Creek. of South Sacramento. 

Mayor Pro Tem Vang 

Mayor Pro Tem Mai Vang is the daughter of Hmong refugees from Laos, a proud Sacramento native, and the eldest of 16 children. Before her election in November 2020 to represent Sacramento’s Eighth City Council District, Vang served as the Executive Director of the Buck Scholars Association, an organization that provides mentorship and scholarships to talented high school students who lack the resources and support to achieve their educational goals. She previously taught in the Department of Ethnic Studies at California State University, Sacramento and in the Department of Asian American Studies at the University of California, Davis. 

Mai co-founded Hmong Innovating Politics (HIP) whose mission is to strengthen the power of disenfranchised communities through innovative civic engagement and strategic grassroots mobilization. Vang has worked on education, labor and racial/ethnic health disparities with local and national policy and government organizations. Prior to being elected, Vang worked tirelessly as a community organizer to improve health and educational outcomes for children and families in south Sacramento. 

In her first two years in office, Mai lead one of the most linguistically diverse community-led vaccination clinic in the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic; secured 102 acres in South Sacramento for a multi-use youth sports complex, civic amenities, and affordable housing; championed the passage of a city-wide ballot initiative – Measure L, the Sacramento Children’s Fund; and fought to ensure a youth advisory seat on the City Council, the first-ever in the nation. In 2022, Mai was named Sacramento’s Bee TOP AAPI Change Maker and has received several awards for her unwavering dedication to equity and racial justice. Mai currently serves on several Sacramento regional Boards, Commissions, Committees, and Authorities. 

Today, Mai lives in the Meadowview neighborhood of South Sacramento. Vang holds Bachelors’ Degrees in Biology and Sociology from the University of San Francisco and dual Master's Degrees in Public Health and Asian American Studies from UCLA. During her free time, she enjoys hiking with her dog Coffee and spending time with her siblings.