Daughter to immigrant parents from Panama, Tempestt was raised in the rural agricultural town of Salinas, California. Her motivation to ensure everyone has equal rights stems from her parents struggle for the American Dream. When she interned at a public defender’s office she quickly learned that the goal was not to win cases, but to advocate for clients- ensuring they received a fair trial. During her time at the JusticeCorps program she helped self-represented litigants who couldn’t afford an attorney. It is also here she noticed a discrepancy between the type of people being served and those volunteering. 

The program served a predominately Black and Brown clientele, but had very few Black volunteers, this only fueled her passion further. Tempestt graduated magna cum laude from UCLA with a degree in Political Science and Communications Studies. A graduate of the Capitol Fellowship Program, she spent the past five years working in the California State Legislature where she worked on legislation to improve the lives of all Californians. While in Sacramento, she served as Communications Director for the Black Young Democrats of Sacramento and as Treasurer for the Fem Dems of Sacramento. Tempestt is currently pursuing her JD at Berkeley Law.