On Jan. 25, Brian Colbert was sworn in as Marin’s new supervisor, representing District 2 which includes the towns of Fairfax, Kentfield, Greenbrae, San Anselmo and Ross. It was a watershed moment, as Colbert is the first ever Black person elected to this position in the county. Before he was elected as a supervisor, Colbert served on the San Anselmo Town Council, including a rotation as town mayor, as well as several other key leadership positions within the county.
We caught up with Colbert (pronounced Coal-bear) to gather his thoughts on the big moment and what he plans to tackle first in his newly elected position.
Congratulations on your win! What does being the first-ever Black individual to be elected as a Marin supervisor mean to you?
It doesn’t escape me how long it has taken for Marin County to reach this moment. One hundred seventy-three years, to be exact. That history is a reminder of both progress and the persistent work still ahead.
As a youth, I remember looking into the faces of my father and his friends, men who grew up in the segregated South. The sadness in their eyes spoke volumes — a reflection of the opportunities denied to them, simply because of the color of their skin. Today, as I look at my daughter Leila, I hold onto hope — that her future will be brighter, with opportunities that her father, her grandparents and her great-grandparents could only dream of.
What are the positive changes you’ve seen in terms of our county working towards stronger racial equity?
Change is driven by the collective efforts of an entire organization and the broader community, not just one individual. In Marin County, it’s not only the dedicated employees who work tirelessly every day to serve our constituents, but also the other key stakeholders — large and small businesses, nonprofits and community organizations — who play a vital role in shaping our future. Together, their collaboration, innovation and shared commitment to progress ensure that Marin County continues to thrive and move forward as an inclusive and dynamic community.
Your daughter swore you in as Marin Supervisor. What did that swearing-in moment feel like for you, and for her?
My daughter has been by my side on the campaign trail since she was just 6 years old. She’s been part of it all — two campaigns for San Anselmo Town Council, a primary campaign for District 2 Supervisor and the general campaign for the same seat. She’s knocked on doors, delivered and installed signs, accompanied me to events and even helped me table at community gatherings.
When she swore me in as Marin County supervisor, it was more than a ceremonial moment — it was a recognition of all the hard work she’s put into my campaigns. It was deeply meaningful to have her there, not just as my daughter, but as someone who has truly been part of this journey. I hope it showed her that her dedication and efforts matter, and that her voice is just as powerful in shaping the future.
What are the key issues that our county needs to urgently address?
Marin County faces several urgent issues that require immediate attention to ensure a safer, more equitable and sustainable future. Disaster preparedness, particularly wildfire readiness, remains a top priority for me, as it was throughout my campaign. We must ensure that residents are educated, communities are prepared and infrastructure is equipped to handle emergencies.
At the same time, we must address the workforce housing crisis. A vibrant and thriving community requires people from all income levels. Marin must balance its ethos of open space and environmental preservation with the urgent need for housing that supports our teachers, first responders, working families and others who are essential to the vitality of our cities and towns. Without addressing this crisis, we risk losing the very people who sustain our communities.
Finally, improving infrastructure is critical. We need to create better ways for people to move through Marin without relying solely on cars. Expanding alternative transportation options will not only alleviate traffic but also align with our environmental goals. Additionally, ensuring our infrastructure supports emergency evacuation routes is essential to protecting residents during wildfires and other disasters.
What are your plans for your first 90 days in office?
In my first 90 days as Marin County supervisor, my focus will be on building strong partnerships and fostering meaningful dialogue across our community. I plan to reach out to all the town councils and stakeholders — not just political leadership, but also community organizations, businesses and residents throughout District 2 and Marin County. The goal is to open space for conversations about how we can collaborate to enhance the unique and vibrant character of Marin.
A key part of this dialogue will center on community vitality, a value reinforced during the challenges of COVID-19. We’ve seen firsthand how critical it is to strengthen the bonds that hold our communities together and to prioritize the well-being of all residents.
Wildfire prevention and climate adaptation will also be front and center. If Los Angeles has taught us anything, it’s the importance of proactive communication and preparation. We need to educate and engage with residents about the dangers of wildfires, evacuation preparedness and strategies to make our homes and neighborhoods more fire-resistant. At the same time, we must address the broader challenge of climate change, ensuring that Marin’s homeowners can access and maintain insurance while adapting to new environmental realities.
Lastly, I’m committed to a standard of excellence — for myself, my team and the county as a whole. This means working closely with the county executive and staff to ensure that we’re serving Marin County with efficiency, transparency and dedication.
When did you first move to Marin, and why did you and your wife choose San Anselmo?
My wife Nihal and I were drawn to Marin County in 2011 because of the abundant open space, easy access to hiking trails and the unique character of all of the cities and towns.
We chose San Anselmo for its vibrant downtown and true sense of community. The town sponsors a special calendar of events that offers our family endless opportunities to connect, celebrate and be part of something meaningful.
You are always spotted wearing a Hawaiian shirt. Why is that?
When my wife and I moved back to the United States in 2007, I was pretty heavily involved in the tech scene. I would often go to conferences and other meetings in San Francisco. I would usually dress like the other entrepreneurs, jeans and a nice shirt, sometimes a jacket. Far too often I was mistaken as the security guard.
In response to that, I ended up wearing a Hawaiian shirt. It is my way of dealing with a challenging situation in a lighthearted manner. Since that time in 2007, I just continued wearing them.
Can you tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know or would be surprised to hear?
My wife and I once backpacked around the world for six months. We went to Madagascar, Mauritius, Nepal, India, Thailand and Cambodia.
A freelance writer in Marin who writes about family, kids and parenting, Glass is the mother to one son, one dog and a hamster named Miss Geri. When she’s not writing, trekking up steep hills in Marin or driving her kid to sports practice, she and her family spend time in their tiny cabin in Lake Tahoe. She avidly supports the California Academy of Sciences, a world class science museum and research institution, and the Institute on Aging which provides much needed services to Bay Area seniors and disabled adults. Glass is obsessed with baking the perfect loaf of banana bread, something she makes so often she no longer needs to look at a recipe card.
