School Board Member Carmelo Garcia

Hoboken, New Jersey

As a young advocate growing up, I witnessed many injustices to the minority people and to those of the underprivileged class. I vowed that some day I would be a voice for the voiceless and promised to make difference in how government must work for the people. For instance, how our institutions, such as schools, must be held accountable to properly educate every child. I always felt there must be a better way, so the only way for me was to become one of those decision makers and public servants who would be a voice for those who did not have one!

Always seeing myself as a servant leader and community activist, I knew early on what my purpose in life would be. I strive to clearly communicate people's worth & potential by representing their interest through governance, policies and giving them equal access to the resources and opportunities afforded to others.

In the 1980's my family was burned out of our home due to arson, forced to leap from a third story window to escape the flames. This was during a time in Hoboken, NJ when Hispanic families were being burned out to make room for the gentrification of the condo development. So by age 9 I was in a single female headed household in public housing. I saw it all growing up- drugs, folks overdosing, a shooting, stabbing, fights, hustling, territorial wars, gang activity and vandalism, landlord neglect and simply ghetto or hood life. I would always say to myself, "There must be a better way of living, a healthier lifestyle outside of the four walls we felt constrained by." I was a good student in high school, played sports, and was popular with the in-crowd, which got me trouble of course. However, I maintained my grades. I knew what I needed to get done and mom stressed the need to do well in school so I didn't end up in the factory like her. I made a promise to my mom that I would become a professional and reach my dream of being a lawyer, since I was passionate about advocacy and enjoyed law.

However, reality decided to set in by my senior year. I was going to be a father and when I applied to college I realized my high school had not prepared me fully for higher education. Fortunately God was with me the day I went to Seton Hall University to take my oral and written exams through the Equal Opportunity Program or E.O.P. The director and counselor said I did excellent on my oral but my essay failed. The content was good but lacked structure. I did not know how to construct an essay. Simple fundamentals that were not instilled or re-enforced. I did great in college, was a full time dad to my precious daughter and graduated dean's list with criminal justice as my major and sociology as my minor, along with a certification in Information Technology. I worked three jobs to get through college, but was the first in my family to do so and graduate. Now, I am making sure I instill the importance of education to my children, nieces and nephews.

I stayed involved with my community and always gave back as a servant leader. I served as a role model to other kids letting them know they can do it. I lectured, volunteered and consulted. I became a successful mortgage banker (1997-2001) right out of college while remaining active in my community. I linked up with local elected officials and immediately learned politics 101. In 2001 I was appointed as the city's first minority director of Health & Human Services.

I decided in 2001 that no school student should experience what I went through. In April of 2002 I ran for the school board at the age of 26. I have served now for six years, as both President and Vice President, and currently chair of the curriculum committee. I have championed many initiatives that have improved student achievement; I received special recognition from the New Jersey School Board Association for my outstanding work on the legislative committee. I have advocated for better ways to help minority families deal with their children's education and founded scholarships for students. Currently we are creating focus centers that will offer a gateway to college or a pathway to vocations starting early on. I strongly feel I'm achieving what I set out to do, and a majority of my goals have been accomplished. More importantly, my colleagues, administrators, teachers, parents, and students have been inspired by my infectious, persistent, enthusiastic, and tenacious coaching attitude that every child can learn and deserves equal access to the resources available to educate him/her to their fullest potential!