Bessie King is a first-generation Mexican-American. She was born in Texas, raised in Mexico City, and has lived in Massachusetts since 1999. She has worked as a reporter, digital marketer, and General Manager for her family's legacy restaurant, Villa México Café.

Through the pandemic, she helped form Massachusetts Restaurants United, a nonprofit advocating for the survival of local independent food businesses. At the same time, Bessie returned to the office world as Content Manager for the new nonprofit One Percent For America, then joined MOIA as Strategic Communications Manager.

​Her professional experience includes brand and communications development, social media strategy and management, content creation, customer service and retention, team building and management, and overall business management and reporting. 

​Bessie serves in various advocacy groups, such as the Alzheimer's Impact Movement (AIM) Advocacy Forum and art organizations. In addition to her advocacy, Bessie has completed leadership programs like the Political Lab, Emerge Massachusetts, and New Leaders Council.

In her spare time, she self-produces Chats With Bess, a virtual talk show featuring "ordinary" people doing extraordinary things to inspire audiences to create positive change in their communities. She also runs Friends Who Dine, a social group encouraging adults to make new friends while supporting local food businesses. 

Bessie earned an M.S. from Columbia University, a B.A. from Northeastern University, and a diploma from Matignon High School. She lives in East Boston.