The spirit of D10 was on full display Thursday, October 15th when 5 of the candidates for District Supervisor joined the Family and Service Provider Candidate Forum last Thursday at Thurgood Marshall High School. The event was geared toward youth and families in the District, as well as the service providers who support them. About 90 community members attended, including around 30 youth. Students and parents asked questions about the candidate’s plans for youth and families in the district.

The Supervisorial candidates, Percy “P.J.” Bastianny the III, Dionjay Brookter, Deandra Bryant, J.R. Eppler, and Shawn M. Richards identified priorities for their plans, such as, supporting transitional housing for youth coupled with workforce development programs, as mentioned by candidate Deandra Bryant. Candidate Theo Ellington was invited but unable to attend. The candidates in attendance reflected on their time as students and the values they learned from the activities they engaged in as youth. Candidate J.R. connected his time as a sports announcer for his high school basketball team, and the energy it took to keep teams and attendees engaged, to the enthusiasm he would bring to the supervisor role.

The questions prompted participants to address their views on community based services, 0-5 program access, and the role of the supervisor in supporting the district. Candidates painted a picture of the policies they would champion given the opportunity. They asserted their support for service providers, for example, Percy “P.J.” Bastianny the III highlighted interest in raising funds from local corporate partners for school resources and program funds. When asked how they would ensure access to programs in the district, Dionjay Brookter expressed interest in founding a D10 youth commission as a key step to engaging youth in the district. Candidate Shawn M. Richards reiterated the importance of strengthening the ties between local government and the school district to ensure access to programs that support youth, such as technical courses like woodshop.

Participants unanimously agreed that community based service providers deserve better contracting mechanisms, and were an essential part of engaging youth in positive avenues for a brighter future. Parents and youth in the audience clearly appreciated the values displayed on stage, as they repeatedly cheered the responses. The night featured bright perspectives about how to pave the road ahead for the district.

Thank you to all of the partner organizations who joined forces to make this event happen: Prosperity Initiative, Family Services Alliance, Safe & Sound, San Francisco Child Care Planning & Advisory Council, Coleman Advocates, San Francisco Beacon Initiative, San Francisco Human Services Network and Juvenile Justice Providers Association. Thank you as well to Sabrina McFarland, Prosperity Initiative Board Member for a wonderful job moderating the event. And a special thank you to all of the parents and you who asked questions.

Remember to vote on or by November 3rd, 2026 – https://www.sf.gov/departments–department-elections