Athena Hollins

Athena Hollins was born in Hilo, Hawaii. Hollins earned a bachelor’s degree from Reed College in 2005 and a J.D. from the University of St. Thomas School of Law in 2011. Hollins’ career experience includes working as senior director of diversity and foundations.[1]

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Video submitted to BallotpediaReleased July 6, 2020

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in rural Hawaii. I learned the value of hard work and service from my father, a veteran and small business owner. My mother, a social worker, taught me the value of empathy and reaching out a helping hand to those in need. They taught me that we can accomplish anything together as long as we are willing to listen to each other and put in the necessary effort.

I earned my B.A. from Reed College and my J.D. from the University of St. Thomas School of Law. After passing the bar exam, I practiced family law and helped people struggling with substance abuse, domestic violence, and immigration issues. Since then, I have worked in corporate community relations, and as a diversity, equity and inclusion professional.

I entered this race because the status quo is no longer acceptable. We are living through historically urgent time that requires new thinking and bold action. New threats like COVID-19 have illuminated fundamental shortcomings that plague our society; while the horrific murder of George Floyd shines a spotlight on how our current elected leaders have failed our Black and Brown community members.

We know that we deserve better than "good enough"; we deserve elected officials who engage with all members of our community, who are willing to push on the important issues, who seek bold solutions, and who are committed to the fight for systemic equity.

I want to help build a better St. Paul with all of you by my side.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

We need bold leaders, who aren't afraid of change; the status quo is no longer acceptable.I want to work with the community to build a people-centered democracy. We need progressive leaders, not just liberal politicians.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Criminal Justice Reform: Our legislature and local government needs to seriously reconsider how we allocate funding for police departments. Nine out of 10 incidents where the police are called, are nonviolent. We need to redirect significant funding to social services that target specific issues like mental health, addiction, and homelessness. This is a better use of taxpayer money, and gets at the underlying causes of most preventable crime.

Climate Justice: Immediate action must be taken against the existential threat of climate change. Bold policy initiatives, like a commitment to 100% clean energy, is necessary to preserve a livable world for our children. There is no doubt that the impacts of climate change will disproportionately impact the economically disadvantaged and communities of color. I'll fight to make sure that none of our neighborhoods are left behind. I'll also lead the charge to make sure our green energy economy is founded on good, union jobs.

Housing Accessibility- Everyone deserves safe, affordable housing, and no one should be priced out of their neighborhoods. In high-demand areas like Saint Paul, prices have skyrocketed. We need statewide investments and strategies to tackle these issues because everyone deserves a place to call home. We need to improve and maintain our current housing stock, make sure that predators in the market are held accountable, and invest in mixed income, multi-family housing.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember the Berlin Wall falling. I didn't really understand the significance. I was 6 years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was working at my family's bicycle shop. I started working there as a pre-teen and it influenced me profoundly. The lesson of "there is always more work to be done", has stuck with me throughout my life. Also, the notion that if you treat people well (employees and customers) they will reward you will loyalty and friendship beyond any business relationship. I worked there until I graduated from high school and moved to Oregon.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

It can certainly be beneficial to have experience in government or politics; however, it can also be damaging. Individuals entrenched in status quo bureaucracy are less likely to be able to make the bold changes we need as a district, and more likely to feel comfortable maintaining the status quo.

I'm not afraid to bring equity and inclusion to the forefront of every conversation we have at the capitol. I am not bound by backdoor deals made years ago, and I don't "owe" loyalty to any moderate gatekeepers who are more interested in the needs of the few, than the needs of the many. Finally, I am not complacent in my position. I believe that there is always more that we can be doing, and I know that politicians are there to serve the people; not the other way around.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

I believe that we should have an independent commission. It provides the best guarantee of equity for the people who actually live in our state.