Meet Our New Organizer: A Mom and Richmond Native

Hello Contra Costa County Community,

I'd like to introduce you to 5C's new Family Organizer, Malea Reeves. Malea grew up in Richmond and knows the community and its public schools very well. As a parent, Malea understands firsthand why parent agency to make decisions about their child's education is so important. Malea has already created a 5C Advanced Leader Training, and we're looking forward to her sharing more of her gifts with the school communities she will be working with.

Maribel

Malea Reeves loves her new day job working as an organizer. What drives her though is being a mom to her 4-year-old.

"It’s really motivating," Malea said. "I want my son to know what his mom does and be proud of it. I'm a single mom and I want him to understand that I also do what I do not to just put food on the table. I want to be a positive influence on him."

Malea is 5C's new Family Organizer. She grew up in Richmond attending public schools, and she's passionate about the area and eager to serve her community, including the families of some of her childhood friends. For example, one friend sends her child to Richmond College Prep.

"I feel really honored that I get to help protect her right to send her son to that school," Malea said.

Malea at a protest alongside friends and fellow activists in her community.

Malea was born in Arkansas, in a progressive household with two moms. "I remember at a young age, I thought a lot differently (than those around me)," she said. "I could never understand how people could have a prejudiced way of thinking. I wasn't raised to see the world through a biased lens."

At age 5, Malea's family moved to the Bay Area. She said she felt much more at home growing up in Richmond, going to schools Lake Elementary, Helms Middle and Middle College High.

"Growing up, I spent a lot of time at friends' houses because we all had working parents," she said. "I was immersed in a lot of languages, cultures, family dynamics, food, holidays and religion at a really young age. It helped round me into the person I am today."



For high school, Malea chose to go to Middle College High School, a rigorous and non-traditional public school in West Contra Costa Unified where students must apply to be accepted. Malea said the school was a great fit for her, and her experience helped her see the importance of giving families the right to choose the right school for their child.

"That's a reason charter schools are important to me," she said.

Malea said the highlight of her job working as an organizer is connecting with other parents. "Just getting to know each one, hearing their personal story, what they've been through, the struggles they have faced," she said. "It means a lot that they are able to share that with me."

She said that as a parent, working with other parents allows for everyone to see they are not alone.

"I love connecting with people who feel the same way that I do," she said.

"I understand their concerns, and the passion they have for their child as their parent."



She is especially excited about working with families organizing 5C's Family Leadership Institutes. "Taking part in the curriculum is going to influence how these parents become advocates for their children," Malea said. "I'm motivated to create a chain reaction of change."

She's also looking forward to doing her own research for the 5C Family Leadership Institutes, and becoming a stronger advocate for her son and the families of Richmond.

‍

‍

‍