“A Win for You Is a Win for Me”: Anthony Bryson’s Vision for Long Beach’s Future

Photo courtesy of Anthony Bryson

Anthony Bryson is no stranger to Long Beach politics. As an activist and community organizer, he has built a reputation for amplifying residents’ voices and pushing for change.

During an interview on The Jackie Rae Show, Bryson shared that his journey into activism began with a moment he still reflects on today. While riding Long Beach Transit, he witnessed a homeless woman being verbally harassed—and like everyone else on the bus, he said nothing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jxy03ORIck0

“I told myself, ‘I’m going to defend the next person,’” Bryson said. “And since then I haven’t stopped.”

Bryson, who has lived in the city’s 1st District for about a decade, describes himself as a “concerned citizen” rather than a traditional activist. He says his background in the hospitality industry, along with years of grassroots organizing, has shaped his perspective on housing, homelessness, and community building.

Now stepping further into the political arena, Bryson is centering his campaign on housing affordability, public safety, and transportation—including ongoing parking concerns as Long Beach prepares for the 2028 Olympics. He supports stronger rent control policies and has criticized what he calls insufficient affordable housing requirements in new downtown developments.

“We do need growth in the city,” Bryson said. “But it’s key that in the growth of our city, we’re not pushing out lower-income people and that we’re keeping families.”

Bryson is also advocating for a more community-driven approach to addressing homelessness, including expanded shelter options, workforce development programs, and what he describes as “meeting people where they are.”

At the core of his platform is a focus on coalition building across racial, economic, and social lines. He argues that many of the challenges facing Long Beach are interconnected—and require collective solutions.

“A win for you is a win for me,” he said. “Understanding solidarity is truly understanding that all our struggles are interconnected.”

Bryson hopes his experience as an organizer will help boost civic engagement in District 1 and encourage more residents to take part in local elections.

To learn more about Anthony Bryson, visit brysonforlongbeach.org or follow him on social media at @BrysonForLBC.