Mia Bonta

Mia Bonta earned a bachelor’s degree from Yale University in 1993 and an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 1996. She also received a J.D. from Yale University Law School in 1999. Bonta’s career experience includes working as a nonprofit executive at Oakland Promise. She became President of the Alameda Unified School District Board in 2018.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am running to represent the East Bay in the State Assembly to continue working to push open California’s door of opportunity for communities that have for too long been locked out and ensure Californians of all backgrounds get a fair shot.

I have spent my career advocating for students and working families. After moving to Alameda more than 20 years ago, I worked for and led several nonprofit organizations focused on improving educational outcomes for low-income students. I currently serve as the CEO of Oakland Promise, a cradle-to-college and career preparation initiative across Oakland public schools. I have seen firsthand how the systems in our state — from education and the criminal justice system to health care and housing — often fail to provide for those they’re intended to serve.

In 2018, I was elected to the Alameda Unified School District School Board, and I currently serve as Board President. I also serve as a delegate for the district to the California Democratic Party, worked on several campaigns dedicated to electing progressive labor candidates, and served on the AD-18 Advisory Committees for Women, Education, and Early Childhood.

I am pleased to be endorsed by Congressmember Barbara Lee, US Senator Alex Padilla, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, Secretary of State Shirley Weber, the California Teachers Association, SEIU California, Equality California, and Oakland City Councilmembers Dan Kalb, Sheng Thao, Noel Gallo, Loren Taylor, and Treva Reid.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Homelessness: Address homelessness head on by focusing on the root causes of the crisis, expanding mental health services, increasing shelter access and transitional housing. I will work to secure funding for local homelessness programs in the East Bay and push for the wraparound services it takes to lift our unhoused neighbors out of poverty.Affordable Housing: Advance legislation that creates new affordable housing and ensures current homeowners and renters can afford to stay in their homes here in the East Bay. As someone who faced housing insecurity as a child, I understand the urgency of keeping families in their homes and protecting tenants. I will also support programs that assist first time home buyers so they have access to loans and other resources to make homeownership a reality.Education: Hold state leaders accountable for directing the additional public education funding provided by coronavirus relief funds towards addressing the academic, social, and mental health impacts of the pandemic, especially in communities hit hardest by the virus. I will fight to ensure students, teachers, and parents have the resources they need to address learning loss and mental health issues stemming from prolonged distance learning.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Growing up, I moved 13 times in 16 years, and with every move I carried what was most precious to me: a crate of books. Education was the one constant in my life, and I was fortunate to attend schools that would foster her love of learning and offer her a caring community of teachers and administrators committed to her success. For me, education was life-changing, and was what first inspired me to become a public servant.

I was raised by a single mother, who dedicated her life to provide workforce training and opportunities to thousands of Black, Latino, and API members of our community, who took on a lifelong fight for economic justice through work. She raised me to be a strong Black Latina, and I have dedicated my life, through non-profit service and working in education and for children, youth, and working families to ensure that at-risk children experiencing poverty could be assured that their schools had an education, health supports, mental health supports, and career technical education and pathway programs.