Visionary Leadership & Community Impact
Dr. Dawnté Early is a recognized leader in health equity, public health, and mental health. As President and CEO of United Way California Capital Region, she guides the 100-year-old organization with a clear mission to uplift the community by ending poverty in the Capital Region. Her leadership focuses on empowering children to succeed academically, supporting families, and addressing persistent disparities in our schools.
In 2021, Dawnté made history when she was elected to the West Sacramento City Council, becoming the first Black councilmember ever elected and part of the city’s first all-female council. Her commitment to public service is evident in her work driving substantial reforms in behavioral health and criminal justice, drawing from her previous leadership roles at the Department of Public Health and the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission.
Dawnté impact has been widely recognized. In 2023, she was honored by The Sacramento Bee as a Black Change Maker. She was later recognized as a Most Admired CEO by The Sacramento Business Journal, a Women in Leadership honoree by Comstock’s Magazine in 2024, and a recipient of The Sacramento Business Journal’s 2024 Women Who Mean Business award. Under her leadership, United Way was named Nonprofit of the Year by the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce in 2023 and was inducted into the Centennial Business Hall of Fame by the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce in 2024.
Her leadership extends beyond her professional roles. Dawnté has been actively involved in initiatives such as President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper and served on the West Sacramento Aging Commission for seven years, advising on city policies that support the health and well-being of older adults in the community.
Rooted in Family
From an early age, Dawnté’s parents instilled in her the values of perseverance, resilience, and community service. Born on a military base overseas, Dawnté was raised in a family deeply committed to serving our nation, with both of her parents proudly serving in the United States Air Force.
As part of a military family, Dawnté’s early years were marked by the enriching experience of living in diverse locations around the world, including Europe and the Azores Islands. Her family’s final deployments brought them to Mather and McClellan Air Force bases, where Sacramento became their home.
“Growing up in a military family, traveling the world, and witnessing my parents’ dedication to service taught me to value diversity and the power of commitment—commitment to family, community, and country.”
A Path of Perseverance: Basketball, Motherhood, and Education
Dawnté has always embraced leadership, teamwork, and community involvement. In high school at Folsom, she excelled on the basketball court, serving as team captain and earning awards and scholarship offers. These experiences instilled in her the values of leadership and collaboration, qualities that continue to guide her today.
Dawnté began her higher education journey on a full academic scholarship at Alabama A&M before transferring to UC Davis to be closer to her family. As a young mother, she learned to balance both academics and motherhood, eventually earning a Bachelor of Science in psychology. Understanding the transformative power of education, Dawnté pursued further studies at UC Davis, completing both a master’s in child development and a PhD in human development with a minor in quantitative psychology.
During this time, Dawnté and her family moved to West Sacramento, a community they quickly fell in love with. Over the years, Dawnté and her husband became deeply involved, often coaching youth sports and participating in local activities. For Dawnté, education, community, and service are central to her mission of creating opportunities and empowering others.
Innovating for Equity
Under Dawnté’s leadership, United Way California Capital Region has expanded its impact to better meet the needs of the region, including West Sacramento. Dawnté’s approach to services is holistic, grounded in a public health model that begins at birth. United Way provides monthly books to children up to age five and helps foster youth with savings accounts as they transition to adulthood. Recognizing that children’s needs extend beyond the classroom, Dawnté has led efforts to address basic needs such as hunger and housing through programs like CalAIM, which provides housing navigation and sustainability services to alleviate family economic pressures.
Additionally, Dawnté has overseen pioneering initiatives like the first guaranteed income program in Sacramento and the largest free tax preparation program in the region. Her commitment to fostering equitable opportunities for all extends to K-8 foster youth case management and spearheading Community Schools initiatives across school districts. Her leadership focuses on ensuring that individuals and families across West Sacramento and the region can access the support and resources they need to thrive.
Before United Way, Dawnté served as a public health researcher with the State of California where she was a dues-paying union member. Often describing herself as a “data detective,” her role was to investigate problems and find answers for underserved and unserved communities. At the Department of Public Health, she supported the Maternal Infant Health Assessment project, using data to guide health policies and programs for California women, infants, and families. This project helped stakeholders monitor health outcomes and address emerging health issues for vulnerable populations.
Later, Dawnté led a joint research project between the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). Her work focused on the impact of the Affordable Care Act on recidivism and ensuring that people with behavioral health needs are provided care rather than being criminalized. She also spearheaded the development of a racial and gender equity plan for CDCR, which is now being implemented to create more inclusive policies and practices across the department.
Dawnté’s career reflects her deep commitment to public service, equity, and community-driven solutions. Her work ensures that the policies and programs developed are grounded in data and designed to serve those who need it most. Through her role at United Way and her earlier work in public health, Dawnté’s career has equipped her to drive meaningful change, and this passion directly benefits the residents of West Sacramento. Whether through health care, housing, or educational initiatives, Dawnté continues to ensure that West Sacramento remains a place where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
Family & Home
Dawnté is married to Norman West, and together they have two children, ages 23 and 11. As a proud Elkhorn Tiger mom and former Girl Scout troop leader and basketball coach for the West Sacramento Parks and Rec league, Dawnté is deeply connected to her city and the people she serves. Motivated by a strong commitment to her fellow residents and a vision for West Sacramento’s future, Dawnté has stepped up to lead and create lasting, meaningful change. Her professional experience, coupled with her dedication to service, makes her the right person to guide West Sacramento forward. Join her on this journey to demonstrate our city’s strength by electing Dawnté Early as the next Mayor of West Sacramento.