Devin Murphy

⚖️ Thurgood Marshall made history on this date in 1967 when he was sworn in as the first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice.

But his legacy started long before he put on the robe. As a civil rights attorney, Marshall helped build the legal strategy behind Brown v. Board of Education, the landmark case that challenged segregation in public schools. He also fought discrimination in voting, employment, and criminal law because he knew that constitutional rights mean little if they aren't protected in practice.

Decades later, his legacy still shapes the fight for equal justice today and inspires new generations of legal advocates.

Our community has lost a healthcare champion, and the East Bay has lost a remarkable advocate for health equity.

I am deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of Dr. Desmond Carson, a beloved physician, mentor, and Richmond native who dedicated his life to caring for the communities that raised him.

Dr. Carson’s legacy is deeply connected to Pinole and the broader West Contra Costa community. Through his work at Doctors Medical Center and LifeLong Medical Care, he provided compassionate care, educated families about preventing strokes and other serious health conditions, mentored medical professionals, and advocated for greater access to quality healthcare.

For those of us in Pinole, his passing is also a reminder of our region’s shared healthcare history. From the former Doctors Hospital campus on Appian Way to Doctors Medical Center in San Pablo, generations of East Bay families have depended on local hospitals and trusted physicians like Dr. Carson.

He understood that our health is interconnected and that access to quality care should never depend on your ZIP code, race, or income.

As a Black physician serving a diverse community, Dr. Carson was especially committed to confronting the health disparities affecting Black families. He encouraged our neighbors to take high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke prevention seriously while advocating for solutions to the systemic barriers that too often stand between our communities and good health.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he became an especially important voice for communities of color. At a time of fear and uncertainty, he encouraged our neighbors to get vaccinated, wear masks, and protect one another. His message carried weight because he had spent decades earning the trust of the people he served.

But Dr. Carson’s commitment to our community extended far beyond medicine. As a supporter of youth athletics and a coach for the Richmond Steelers football team, he invested in our young people and understood the importance of mentorship, opportunity, and community pride.

His life reminds us that some of the most important people in our communities are those who show up consistently, care deeply, and dedicate themselves to making life better for others.

As someone who has the privilege of serving Pinole, I believe honoring Dr. Carson also means recommitting ourselves to the issues he championed. Our region continues to feel the effects of losing local hospital services, and his passing reminds us of the importance of accessible, community-centered healthcare.

My deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, colleagues, patients, and everyone whose life he touched.

From Pinole to Richmond, San Pablo, Hercules, El Cerrito, and across the East Bay, Dr. Carson leaves behind a legacy of compassion, service, and an unwavering commitment to healthier communities.

May we honor that legacy by continuing to advocate for health equity, investing in our young people, and ensuring that every family has the opportunity to thrive.

Rest in power, Dr. Carson. Thank you for everything you gave to our communities. Your legacy lives on.

I've been sitting with this one for a while.

This year, I had the honor of speaking at Demolition Day for the The Vacaville Neighborhood Boys & Girls Club, the place that helped raise me.

Standing there, I couldn't stop thinking about the building that raised me. It's been closed for years now, but what happened inside it never left me. That building is where the Club kitchen made sure I had a real meal after school, so I could sit down and actually focus on my homework. It's where mentors saw something in me before I saw it in myself, and didn't stop until they'd helped get me to UCLA. And it's where Keystone Club taught me how to lead, how to listen, and how to serve, lessons I carried all the way to becoming one of the youngest mayors in California.

Growing up, the Club told us to Be Great. What I didn't understand then is that they never left it up to us alone. They fed us, pushed us, and believed in us until greatness felt possible.

That building held some of the most important years of my life.
But those walls came down for a reason. In their place, a brand-new, fully reimagined Boys & Girls Club is rising, one built to serve Vacaville kids for generations to come.

A few weeks ago, I joined the Wake Up Breakfast and saw a room full of people who believe what I believe: that kids thrive when a community decides they're worth it. They're the reason this new Club is happening.

My old Club may be gone, but what it gave me will live on in this new one, for kids who need it just as much as I did. I can't wait to walk through those doors and see the next generation learn to Be Great.

To everyone at the Club, past and present: thank you. I wouldn't be the man I am without you. 💙

Election 2026: The Bay Area faces a transit reckoning. Will voters pay to keep it running? The Bay Area’s four largest systems face an $800 million annual deficit next year. A new measure asks voters to help fix their fiscal crisis.

Empowerment Week x Urban League of the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, where presence meets purpose. ✨

3-0. GO BRUINS. UCLA Football

Today is National Voter Registration Day!

If you just turned 18 or haven't registered yet, visit registertovote.ca.gov. 🗳

There’s power in becoming a student again.

One of the things I’ve learned about leadership is that experience can teach you a lot—but experience should never convince you that you’ve finished learning.

My career has taken me through public policy, strategic communications, entrepreneurship, advocacy, campaigns, environmental work, and elected office.

I’ve had opportunities to lead teams, build organizations, advise leaders, manage significant investments, navigate complex policy decisions, and serve my community.

And through it all, I’ve become increasingly curious about the things I don’t know yet.

That’s a big part of why I’m pursuing my MBA at Saint Mary’s College - School of Economics and Business Administration.

I want to better understand the financial decisions behind successful organizations. I want to become a stronger strategist and manager. And I want to continue developing the skills required to lead increasingly complex organizations and teams.

At this stage of my career, going back to school isn’t about starting over.

It’s about building on everything that came before—and being intentional about what comes next.

Growth requires the humility to remain a student.

I’m ready to learn. 📚

MBA Loading… ⏳

Leadership has taken me into boardrooms, campaigns, community meetings, and City Hall. This fall, it’s taking me back to the classroom.

I’m excited to share that I’ll be beginning my Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Saint Mary’s College - School of Economics and Business Administration, right here in the Bay Area!

For me, pursuing an MBA represents more than continuing my education. It’s an opportunity to deepen my understanding of business and finance, sharpen my strategic thinking, and continue evolving as a leader.

Every chapter of my career—from public policy and entrepreneurship to advocacy, campaigns, and public service—has taught me something about leadership. Just as importantly, those experiences have reminded me that no matter how much we accomplish, there is always more to learn and another level at which we can lead.

As I look toward my future in the energy sector, I’m especially excited to strengthen my skills in finance, strategy, executive leadership, and management, building on the clean energy and public service experiences that have helped shape where I want to go next.

This next chapter is about expanding the tools I bring to leadership, embracing the challenge of becoming a student again, and preparing for the next level of impact.

I’m looking forward to the lessons, the relationships, the challenges, and the growth ahead.

Here’s to learning. To growth. To what comes next.

MBA Loading… 📚⏳

If you’ve been holding onto your ballot, please don’t wait any longer.

Polls show there’s no longer a concern of Democrats getting locked out from the general. There are three candidates vying for two spots. The only thing that matters is who gets the most votes.

You’ve got one job: vote.

Use your local ballot boxes if you can.

June 2nd is right around the corner.