Karen Bass — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Serves as the 43rd Mayor of Los Angeles since 2022.
First woman to serve as Mayor of Los Angeles.
First African-American woman in U.S. history to serve as a speaker of a state legislative body (California State Assembly Speaker, 2008-2010).
Served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2022, representing California's 33rd and 37th congressional districts.
Served in the California State Assembly from 2004 to 2010, including as Majority Whip and Majority Leader.
Founded Community Coalition, a social justice organization in South Los Angeles.
Earned a Master of Social Work from the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work in 2015.

Biography

Karen Bass is an American politician who serves as the 43rd Mayor of Los Angeles, a position she has held since 2022. She made history as the first woman to serve as Mayor of Los Angeles. Prior to her mayoral term, Bass served in the U.

S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2022, representing California's 33rd and later 37th congressional districts. During the 116th Congress, she chaired the Congressional Black Caucus.