ANC Commissioner John Salatti, (5C04) and his wife, Acacia.
John Salatti has served the Bloomingdale neighborhood as Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner since 2006. Because of his reputation for responsiveness and taking care of the needs of his neighbors, he was re-elected for a third term in November 2010 with over 96% of the vote. In addition to his direct constituent services, John organizes regular safety walks, serves as a vice president of the Bloomingdale Civic Association, leads tours of the McMillan Sand Filtration site, fosters relationships between local churches and neighbors, and advises new business opening in the area.
Besides his work in his jurisdiction (SMD5C04), John has proven his willingness and ability to work with others for the greater good. He's built strong working relationships with leaders at Howard University, even though the school is not located in Ward 5, in order to improve relations between Howard students and other residents in neighborhoods surrounding the Howard campus. John has mentored younger ANC Commissioners and has encouraged all neighbors to take on leadership roles. With John, his work in the community is always about empowering everyone and putting progress above ego. Most recently, John worked with a dedicated few to advocate for a fair redistricting plan. He met individually with sitting council members to stand up for neighborhoods across the ward which have been under-represented for far too long.
John attended public school in New York State, then put himself through college at Cornell University. After seven years in banking and mental health advocacy, he entered Emory University’s Law and Religion Program where he received his J.D. with Distinction (the Law School’s highest accolade at that time) and his Master of Divinity Magna Cum Laude.
In addition to his tireless work as a public servant, John is an entrepreneur and small business owner. In 1996, he founded LAWriters with Professor Timothy Terrell of Emory Law School. For over 15 years, John has overseen LAWriters’s nationwide team of writing experts as they have provided writing programs and services to firms, courts, corporations, government agencies, and individuals across the country and abroad. Under his management, LAWriters has more than tripled its client base and revenues. John is also a licensed attorney, a certified mediator, and mediator trainer.
John has been married for almost a decade to Acacia Bamberg Salatti of South Carolina. She is as necessary to his day and his ability to serve the community as the air he breathes. Like John, Acacia also has a Master of Divinity from Emory's Candler School of Theology. And like John, Acacia is also a dedicated public servant, working in the health care arena. Before that, she worked for then House Majority Whip Congressman James E. Clyburn of South Carolina. John has lived in the District of Columbia three separate times spread over thirty years. He and Acacia returned to the District in 2004 and made their home in Ward 5 when she began her work for Congressman Clyburn.