The Honorable Willie L. Brown, Jr. is easily one of the most recognizable and influential politicians in California. He served as Speaker of the California Assembly from 1980 to 1995, and as Mayor of the city of San Francisco for two terms from 1996 to 2004. While many politicians keep a lower profile after their service, the 91-year-old Mayor Brown still practices law and keeps up public appearances.
In November of 2025, the students of Mr. Mathews' seventh grade Ethnic Studies class at Willie L. Brown Jr. Middle School interviewed their school's namesake about a number of topics — and their questions cut straight to the point! Please enjoy this candid and heartwarming interview with former Mayor Willie Brown.