My story is District 1’s story
I'm Nelson Grande, born and raised in Highland Park. From swap meets in Lincoln Heights to building a business in Westlake, I grew up in these neighborhoods, and I know this district from real life, not a map. Council District 1 is home in every sense of the word, and I'm running to give it the leadership it deserves.
I'm raising a family here, and I see firsthand what it takes to build a stable life in Los Angeles. Whether you're raising kids, living on your own, starting out, building your career, caring for loved ones, or running a small business, the needs are the same: safe streets, clean neighborhoods, a fair shot at housing, and a City that actually responds when you need help.
I'm a builder and an operator. I've spent my career bringing people together, raising resources, and delivering projects with real outcomes. I've worked with small businesses, community groups, and local talent, and I've seen how often City Hall makes simple things harder than they should be. I'm not interested in speeches that go nowhere. I focus on execution, follow-through, and measurable results.
My approach is pragmatic and progressive. I believe compassion and accountability can coexist. I believe we can support responsible development while protecting neighborhood stability. I believe public safety must be both effective and fair. The goal is straightforward: policies that work in the real world and improvements people can actually feel.
I'm running for Los Angeles City Council because Council District 1 needs results: safer streets, cleaner public spaces, more housing people can afford, and a stronger local economy. It also needs a Council office that answers the phone, solves problems, and treats residents with respect. A Councilmember is a public servant. This office should work for you, and if I'm elected, it will.
ACCESSIBLE, ACCOUNTABLE, PRESENT.
What I’ve Built
I have built real work, not just a resume. I have helped raise millions of dollars and supported more than 400 projects across media, arts, business, and community work. That has helped create thousands of jobs and opportunities for people who needed a real shot.
I have led internship programs with universities including Arizona State University and Brown University, as well as local high schools, spoken at schools to encourage young people to aim higher, and built businesses that operated with real accountability and delivered real outcomes. I have helped small businesses, independent creators, and grassroots efforts access resources and move forward. I have delivered food and necessities to families in need and shown up publicly to support vulnerable communities when it mattered.
I understand budgets, operations, and accountability because I have had to make payroll and solve real problems. I know how to take an idea, find the resources, build the team, and deliver results in front of real audiences. Not many Latino-owned companies can say that. I am proud to be one of them.
That is the leadership I will bring to Council District 1: clear priorities, measurable outcomes, and a Council office that shows up, responds, and delivers.

