Last updated on January 9, 2019
Julia Mejia is running for Boston City Council At-Large and feels she would bring a strong focus on schools, as she founded and leads a network that helps parents and students increase equal access to high-quality public education.
“I’ve devoted my life to helping those most impacted by the decisions made by policymakers to step out and speak up,” said Mejia via press release.
Professionally, Mejia founded and directs the Collaborative Parent Leadership Network (CPLAN), which is comprised of community parents and students from district, charter, parochial and METCO schools. The network works with policymakers and educations to increase equal access to high-quality public education.
Formed in 2015, CPLAN has garnered influence by having five members appointed to statewide Department of Education board, while also serving as an advisory to nonprofits and public agencies to include parents in decision making.
“My drive to enter this race is born out of an urgency to lift the voices of those drowned out by political insiders who have dominated the conversation about the direction and future of our city,” said Mejia, a Dorchester resident, who graduated from Boston Public Schools and was the first person in her family to graduate from college.
Mejia also created a woman-led civic engagement initiative, Determined Divas, which helps empower women being more politically aware, civically engaged and push for greater voter registration in Boston.