Meet Jessica

Jessica is a lifelong Michigander, lawyer, community organizer, democratic socialist, and policy advocate who brings nearly 20 years of experience in fighting for social and economic justice at the local, state, and national levels. She is running to be retained to the school board because she believes public education is the cornerstone of a strong democracy and a vibrant community. She deeply understands the intersection of education policy, community organizing, and convening stakeholders to ensure all students receive a high quality education, no matter their zip code.

Her passion for social justice was fomented from a young age. Jessica grew up in a family devoted to public service, and her family has deep roots in metro Detroit and in the Woodward corridor specifically. Jessica grew up in Oak Park, moving to West Bloomfield when she was 6 years old, and spent many years attending local events as her father Melvyn was the Public Information Officer for the City of Oak Park for nearly 40 years. Her passion for advocating for the needs of children and families was inspired by her mother, a social worker in the Detroit child welfare system who retired from the State of Michigan after decades of service.

Jessica took this passion for social justice to James Madison College at Michigan State University, where she studied Social Relations and Policy with a particular concentration in child advocacy. After graduating from MSU, she graduated from Washington University in Saint Louis School of Law, where her coursework and professional development was concentrated in civil rights law and child welfare policy.

After earning her law degree, Jessica spent nearly a decade as a union lobbyist and civil rights organizer in Washington, DC before returning home to Michigan in 2018. She currently serves as Co-Director of the Michigan Education Justice Coalition, and previously worked for the Bernie Sanders 2020 Presidential Campaign, the Michigan Nurses Association, America Votes, and the Communications Workers of America.

She lives with her dog, Dolly Parton, and partner in Ferndale, which they have called home for nearly 5 years.