Raised in San Diego with Deep Union Roots
LaShae’s father is the president of the Valencia Park Football Association and her mother is a longtime union member. They were known for keeping their front door open and taking in anyone who needed a helping hand. LaShae grew up surrounded by foster siblings. She learned early on about the value of a solid education, discipline, and always giving back to her community – values she has carried with her throughout her life.
LaShae is a proud California Faculty Association union member. Her mom worked at San Diego State University and was a member of CSUEU. Her father worked for the San Diego Community District and was a member of the AFT Guild. Her grandfather was a Teamster and her grandmother was a member of CNA. That’s how you know the fight for better wages and working conditions is in her blood.
LaShae attended John F. Kennedy Elementary School and Gompers Secondary School. She served on the drill team with her friend and now Senator, Dr. Akilah Weber-Pierson. During her schooling, LaShae was class president, played softball and basketball, participated in the school band, and even served as the Hornets' mascot.
A Public School Graduate Fighting to Ensure Every Student Gets Ahead
LaShae attended San Diego State University. She used scholarships and grants and worked her way through school, earning a bachelor’s degree in Africana Studies, a master’s degree in Education with an emphasis in Multicultural Counseling, and capped it off with an Ed.D in Education Leadership. She returned to her alma mater to teach the next generation as a SDSU Adjunct Professor in Africana Studies.
As the San Diego County Office of Education’s Community Engagement Specialist, LaShae strengthened curriculums in 42 school districts, impacting 500,000 students in almost 780 schools.
Giving Back for a Stronger Community
LaShae defines leadership. She has served on the boards of Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest, the San Diego NAACP, the San Diego Urban League, the Educational Enrichment System, and the Association of African American Educators, and is a founding member of the Black Women Institute for Leadership Development and a former member of San Diego BAPAC. As a dedicated and loving single mother of two wonderful children, she coaches softball, cheer, and youth sports, served on the San Diego Unified School District Lincoln Cluster, and was president and vice president of the Johnson STEM Magnet PTA.
Experience Getting Results for Southeast San Diego Families
As the District Director for Assemblymember Dr. Shirley N. Weber, who is now California Secretary of State, LaShae managed staff and policy. She was instrumental in passing legislation to curb violence against communities of color. She created a task force to audit school districts, protect taxpayer dollars, and boost transparency and accountability in school funding. When LaShae couldn’t find an affordable early education program for her son, she spearheaded legislation to give more San Diego families access to early childhood education, especially for lower income and military families.
LaShae Sharp-Collins: Our Voice for Assembly
LaShae is one of us. She’s raising her kids in the district, her parents live in the district, and she’s walked in our shoes. In the Assembly, LaShae is our voice and she's fighting for the things we care most about, like affordable housing that’s actually affordable, an equal education for all our children, greater access to health care and mental health care, and a safe, clean and healthy environment for all families.
LaShae with her father, President of theValencia Park Football Association