Meet Ariana

Dear Neighbor,

Welcome. My family and I are honored to do this work alongside the community. My husband Kevin is a teacher, and for 15 years I have been working alongside other parents in South Fresno, advocating for better parks, safer streets, and affordable housing.

District 7 is the only home my two children have ever known. Yet, they have played alone in our neighborhood park.

My neighbors have told me they simply do not feel safe taking their children there. I did not see myself running for office, but for too long our district has been used as a political stepping stone while our neighborhoods continue to be left behind. The people in my life have taught me that good things are worth fighting for, especially for those we love.

I was born in Madera to farmworker parents and raised as one of six children. My siblings and I often joined our parents in the fields, helping them achieve their dream of homeownership. Our neighborhood faced its share of vacant homes, underfunded schools, and limited resources, and I still cherish the memories of bike rides and borrowing ingredients from neighbors for my mom’s dinner.

When I was 12, my brother was born with Down syndrome, and I learned quickly that the health of a community often depends on taking the needs of others into account. I volunteered in his classrooms growing up, then became a substitute teacher, intending to eventually teach special education.

After graduating from Fresno State in 2010, Fresno became home. Through my church community I joined local efforts like park cleanups, school staff appreciation events, and civic engagement initiatives. I saw how the struggles of my childhood, housing insecurity, a lack of public spaces, and working multiple jobs, mirrored those of my neighbors. For the last 15 years I have continued to work alongside neighbors advocating for safer streets, better parks, and affordable homes.

My professional career has spanned the classroom, non-profit organizations like Every Neighborhood Partnership, and first-hand experience inside City Hall. As Community Relations Director for Fresno City Council District 3, I tracked infrastructure projects like roads, sidewalks, and park renovations to ensure they were completed on time, helped residents resolve complicated issues, and shaped policies including the Blighted Vacant Building Ordinance and expanded support for small businesses.

That is why Kevin and I see our home as part of a stronger community, built through connection and action, whether we are hosting neighborhood gatherings, joining local events, or showing up for civic meetings. As your next Councilwoman, I will bring that same openness and commitment to City Hall.

With gratitude,

Ariana Martínez Lott