Herb J. Wesson, Jr., was born November 11, 1951 in Cleveland, Ohio. A Democrat representing Southwest Los Angeles, he earned a BA in History from Lincoln University, Philadelphia. He served as a Chief of Staff to Councilman Nate Holden and Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite-Burke. Herb Wesson was elected to the Assembly in 1998, and was unanimously elected Speaker of the Assembly by his colleagues in 2002. Herb Wesson was the second African American to hold the powerful position of Assembly Speaker. His legislative agenda focused on education, environmental protection, and healthcare. During his tenure as Speaker, he was an effective voice for the voiceless and diligently worked to pass legislation protecting the environment and expanding educational opportunities and access to healthcare. In 2005, Herb J. Wesson, Jr., was elected to Los Angeles City Council District 10. Today, he is the President of the Los Angeles City Council. He is the first African American to hold the position of Council President in the city’s history and has been re-elected three times to lead the city’s legislative body.