First elected as a member of the L.B. Unified School District Board of Education, Area 2 in 2004 and re-elected for three (3) additional terms, serving from 2004 to 2020. Served five terms as president of the board.
Served as a member of the Council of the Great City Schools Executive Committee (2004-2016, and Chair of the Council in 2017.
Received National Urban Educator of the Year Green/Garner award from the Council of the Great City Schools (2017).
Advocated for program to recruit and retain African-American male teachers in the school district that subsequently led to a partnership with CSU, Long Beach College of Education to create the Elizabeth Patterson Scholarship program.
As Chair of Region I NAACP (9 western states), assisted NAACP Legal Defense Team in successful lawsuit to desegregate Los Angeles Unified School District
Advocated for LBUSD Strategic Planning
Helped facilitate the development and implementation of a district “dash board” to monitor the academic progress of students.
Elected president of the African American Cultural Center of Long Beach (2020).
Implemented town hall to promote President Barack Obama’s My Brothers Keepers project.
Worked with superintendent to implement district wide “Ethnic Studies” program.
Recognized by Goodwill Industry SOLAC for the Community Impact Award, 2017.
Named Outstanding Alumnus by Claremont Graduate University, 2017
Coordinated with district African-American staff to implement African-American History Month program.
Implemented volunteer advisory committee that developed and implemented program to recruit and retain students of color in Advanced Placement classes.
Assisted in the promotion of two successful bond campaigns
.Recommend and supported efforts of Cambodian community to develop program for involvement of Cambodian parents in the district.
Invited by President of Claremont University to serve as a guest speaker at President’s Lecture Series.
Served as member of the City of Long Beach Ethics Committee
Served as Chair, Curriculum Committee, Leadership Long Beach
Served as Vice President of Administration, Leadership Long Beach
Member, Leadership Long Beach, Board of Governors
Served as member of the LBUSD Strategic Planning Committee
Served as a member of the LBUSD Facilities Master Planning Committee
Advocated for Local Source Hiring Program to provide employment opportunities for individuals and businesses located in the cities served by the district. Contractors working on district facilities were mandated to hire residents and provide contract opportunities to businesses.