Artist Statement

Over time, I realized that challenging my brain actually helped me in ways I never expected. My brain had to leap, jump and zigzag to decode every word, which sparked my creativity. I had to learn by heart just about everything I read, which sharpened my memory. I had to overcome the dread of potential embarrassment, which made me a little bolder and willing to take risks. I was forced to solve old problems by looking at them in new ways. Dyslexia wasnʼt my kryptonite — in fact, it became my superpower. The lessons — and lifehacks — I learned way back then, I deploy every day as Governor of Americaʼs largest and most diverse state.

Artist Bio

Gavin Newsom is the Governor of California, former Lieutenant Governor of California, and former Mayor of San Francisco.

Newsom is widely recognized for his willingness to lead — repeatedly developing, advocating, and implementing innovative and groundbreaking solutions to some of our most challenging issues. On a wide range of topics including same-sex marriage, gun safety, marijuana, the death penalty, universal health care, access to preschool, technology, criminal justice reform, and the minimum wage, Newsom stuck his neck out and did the right thing, which often led to sweeping changes when his policies were ultimately accepted, embraced, and replicated across the state and nation.

Newsom’s top priorities for his administration are tackling our state’s affordability crisis, creating inclusive economic growth and opportunity for every child, and standing up for California values — from civil rights, to immigration, environmental protection, access to quality schools at all levels, and justice.

Governor Newsom is married to Jennifer Siebel Newsom. They have four children: Montana, Hunter, Brooklynn, and Dutch.

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