Family Background
Tony Thurmond is a Bay area native who was born in Monterey and lived in San Jose until the age of six. After Tony's mother Cecelia Dawson, a former teacher and single mother lost her battle to Cancer in 1974, Tony moved to Philadelphia, PA where he was adopted and raised by his cousin Diana Krajewski, and Tony's step father, Donald Krajewski. Diana and Donald Krajewski (both campus police officers for more than 20 years) taught their son Tony the value of hard work, responsibility, and making sacrifices to get things done. Tony is also the proud brother to Jerome in Encinitas CA, Rena in New York City, Ayana in Philadelphia, and the late Terence Thurmond of San Jose.
Education Background
In July 2005, Tony was appointed to the Richmond City Council, at the age of 36. Tony was first turned on to politics during his tenure as Student Body President for the 30,000 students at Temple University (Philadelphia, PA) where he received a BA in Psychology. Tony did his graduate work at Bryn Mawr College (Bryn Mawr, PA) where he received dual Masters Degrees in Law and Social Policy and Social Work. After a successful career in the Philadelphia area that spanned the disciplines of social work, education, and non profit management, Tony returned to the Bay area and has lived there with his wife Kristin since 1998. Kristin and Tony made Richmond their home in 2000 and are raising their toddler daughter Maya there.
Work Experience
Tony works as a consultant for non-profit causes, particularly education, mentoring, and other programs to support youth. When he isn't working or involved in political causes, Tony enjoys watching and playing sports and spending time with Kristin and Maya and friends in the scenic Bay area. Tony is also a trained actor who has appeared in a national cable commercial and in numerous training videos for Bay area corporations and non-profit causes.
Tony currently serves as a council liaison to the West Contra Costa County Unified School District, as a member of the West Contra Costa County Education Fund, and as a member of the Family and Children's Trust Committee of Contra Costa County. Tony has also served as an advisor to the Richmond Youth Commission and as Chair of the 2005 Richmond's Summer Youth program which employed 200 Richmond teens.
Arts
Tony also loves music and has sung on stage with his Jazz musician brother Jerome Dawson (airjazzproductions.com), a pop-rock band, and the Glide gospel ensemble in San Francisco.
For More Information: http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us
