Janani Ramachandran

Janani Ramachandran is a public servant, attorney, mother, and musician. Janani is the youngest person ever to serve on the Oakland City Council, as well as the city’s first South Asian and LGBTQ woman of color elected official. Born and raised in the East Bay, Janani is a graduate of Stanford University and Berkeley Law. She chairs Oakland’s Finance and Management Committee, and represents the city on regional bodies including the East Bay Wildfire Coalition and the Association of Bay Area Governments. Janani has previously served as a Commissioner on the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, and also on the City of Oakland Public Ethics Commission. Before serving on Council, Ramachandran worked as a public interest attorney representing survivors of abuse. Janani is also a longtime vocalist, performing R&B and classical Indian music since childhood. She is also the founder and executive producer of the Oakland Diwali festival that brings together thousands of Bay Area residents every year. Janani aspires to use her voice through political advocacy, art, and storytelling to shine a bright light on Oakland’s incredible cultural and economic landscape and uplift our diverse, resilient communities.