New Jersey School Board Member Jeremiah Grace

"Why I became an elected official"

Upon returning home from college, full of knowledge and ready to take on the world, I noticed that my local school district lacked community input on the decisions made for our children.  Consequently, this resulted in lower test scores for students, an increase in violence, and dismal parental involvement.

My experience campaigning for others led to my decision to build a grassroots movement fighting for a thorough and efficient education system for all of the children in my district  

At the age of 24, I asked a high school classmate to become my campaign manager.  A few of the students I served as a mentor to became my street team, and through the community groups I participated with over the years, "Jeremiah's Senior Angels," was born.  With my street team and “senior angels,” we were able to strategically raise money, as well as gain support from elected officials, community leaders, and key stakeholders. I spoke across the city of Elizabeth about the alarming facts and the need for community input in decision-making. On April 18, 2006, I broke a ten-year stronghold over the largest school board run district in the State of New Jersey to become the youngest commissioner ever elected to the Elizabeth Board of Education.

As the lone progressive voice on the board, I have been able to educate the community about what is taking place at every board meeting.  Since my election, the community presence at my board meetings has quadrupled, which is inspiring other progressives to run in the future. I look forward to assisting these servant leaders and creating the possibility to belong on a board that will seek to pass progressive policy on education.

Jeremiah Grace was featured in the March 2009 YEO Front Line News. To see the March Newsletter, click here. March Newsletter >>

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