From the Mayor's Desk: February 6, 2026

City of Cerritos staff continually work to provide the highest quality service for residents and businesses. Effective two-way communication plays an important role, from sharing details on key government functions to receiving feedback on a variety of topics. Which is why I’m excited about the City’s new civic Leadership Academy, L.E.A.D. Cerritos.

This free, seven-session program is run through the Cerritos City Clerk’s Office. Sessions for our first cohort of approximately 60 residents began last month. L.E.A.D. stands for Learn, Educate, Act, and Discover. It is designed to educate and empower Cerritos residents by deepening their understanding of local government operations, decision-making processes, and community priorities.

The first session provided L.E.A.D. attendees with information about the organizational structure of our City, such as our council-manager form of government and status as a Contract City with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles County Fire Department. The session included presentations by our three Council-appointed employees, the Cerritos City Manager, City Clerk, and City Attorney. The group also engaged in fun trivia about our City, such as the name of the T-Rex inside the Cerritos Library (Stan) and our Strategic Plan motto (Cerritos in Progress).

Our L.E.A.D. cohort will hear from staff across each City department over the seven-session academy. In accordance with the City of Cerritos Guidebook for Elected and Appointed Officials, all future appointees will be required to attend and participate in the L.E.A.D. Cerritos program. We look forward to their attendance and welcoming additional residents into future cohorts. Learn more about the academy at cerritos.gov/lead.

Whether you’re a L.E.A.D. Cerritos attendee or active at our Council meetings, City events, or engage in other ways, we appreciate the opportunity to connect and work together to advance Cerritos.