Meet Commissioner Christina Puga

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Commissioner Christina Puga a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Commissioner Christina , we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

I developed my confidence and self-esteem by being aware of history first and foremost. My grandparents were born in the 30’s and parents were born in the 50’s. Historically we as a people, specifically Black people dealt with discrimination and racism, and others isms that are still existing today . I have opportunities and possibilities that were not afforded to my grandparents and parents. I was raised to stand tall, speak up, have dignity and class, a”structure, discipline to stay focused, and direction as in wisdom from those who wanted me to be successful. and a plan of action to excel in life.

That does not mean that achieving goals didn’t come with lessons and failures and achievements and adversary.

My parents have always taught me that it is imperative to know who I am, and that my character, conduct and conversation, rapport and relationships is my responsibility. As a woman, also as a Black woman to ensure that I am valued and respected in the spaces I’m in.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

As a Judicial Commissioner representing the City Of Dallas in district 3, I have an opportunity to engage, and implement a merit system for our municipal, associate and administrative law judges.

The city courts deal with city violations, and misdemeanors.
The duties are filling of municipal judge vacancies, the reappointment of current municipal judges, salary recommendations for municipal judges, the implementation of a merit evaluation system for the appointment and reappointment of municipal judges, the filling of administrative law judges, salary recommendations for administrative law judges, recommendations for improvements in Court and Detention Services.

One of our city courts , is our city Veterans court, and it is such an honor to witness the participants in this city program, which assists in an expungement.

To add, I have also become a member of the Alpha Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Incorporated, in Dallas, Texas.

I participated as Principal for the Day, and shadowed the principal, Dr. Hughes at one of our Dallas ISD schools; Justin F. Kimball. As a former NAF board member in DallasISD, and core lead mentor, it is still imperative to be community engaged and community involved.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three qualities or skills or area of knowledge, there are most impactful in my journey and will continue to always be are: awareness, education, and information.

In my previous role, as the first and founding Chairwoman for the Commission on Disabilities in the City of Dallas, the goal was to ensure that constituents know what’s going on, and it is imperative to bridge the gap of awareness. It is integral that individuals, community members and even visitors be informed of when, why, what, and who. It is also Impactful that we are all educated and work together, to build together.
The advice that I can give for someone who is early in their journey to develop or improve is to: always ask questions, job shadow and have a mentor . A mentor who has wise counsel, who is intentional, who has done the work; and continues to do the work.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

The book which has played an important role in my development is:
Essentialism:
The Discipline Pursuit of Less

Also some impactful nuggets:

1. When speaking up be prepared.
2. Also in life breathe.
3. Don’t let your faith shift based on emotion.

Contact Info:

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