Candidate for
Trustee; Peralta Community College District; Trustee Area 6

Melanie Sweeney-Griffith is currently Principal of "Strategic Futures" a consulting firm providing public relations, management services and organizational development. Melanie spent 15 years as a psychologist in health care services of Alameda County, California. She received her graduate degree in 1976 from Chapman University, Orange California, and her undergraduate degree from Fisk University, Nashville, Tennessee. She has over 20 years professional management experience in administration and public relations.

Prior to establishing her consulting firm, Melanie served as the Alameda County Director of Mental Health Outpatients Services. She had direct budgetary responsibility for a 30 million dollar adult and children's mental health system. In this role, she had countywide administrative responsibilities for outpatient services from West Oakland to Pleasanton. She provided contract monitoring and negotiations for 22 Alameda County contract agencies. She participated in labor negotiations and interfaced with local communities and state health care officials. She successfully negotiated a million-dollar grant for an innovative Alameda County workforce development program.

As a research associate at the John F. Kennedy Center for Education and Research, Melanie conducted studies on the "Impact of Environmental Forces on Children across Socio-Economic Groups," conducted a Maternal Racial Attitude Change Study, and authored a publication on Maternal Teaching Styles. Melanie conducted initial research for the Children's Television Network, for the award winning program "Sesame Street"

She has served as, in the psychology instructor, at Merritt College, and is a member of SEIU, Local 250. Melanie has provided consultation to Oakland's Children's Hospital, the Marcus Foster Educational Institute, the Cities of Oakland, San Leandro, and Berkeley, as well as provided grant writing for the Bay Area Urban League.

As legislative aid to Assemblywoman Barbara Lee, Melanie provided a full analysis of the Clinton Health Care Security Reform Act. She has also provided analysis of state legislation for fiscal and policy impact on a variety of issues. She chaired the East Bay Health Committee for Clinton's Presidential Campaign, and later coordinated his Northern California Health Care Reform Campaign. She served as Regional Director for the Northern California State "Coordinated Campaign" for the Democratic gubernatorial race.

Melanie was elected Delegate to the 2000 Democratic National Convention, where she was appointed "Whip" for the California delegation. Melanie has served as State Chair of the Democratic African American Caucus, as well as served two terms as Chair of the Alameda County Democratic Party. She continues to hold an elected seat representing the 16th Assembly District for the Alameda County Democratic Party. Melanie has been a conference presenter for National Women's Campaign Research Fund, the National Women's Political Caucus, Black Women Organized for Political Action, and the Democratic National Committee.

Melanie was appointed Health Commissioner for the City of Oakland, and is a member of the National Multicultural Health Summit. Her management experience also includes serving as Western Regional representative for the National Association of Black Psychologists, and Western Regional Director for a national children's organization, where she had direct responsibility for California, Oregon, Washington, Utah, and Arizona. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Lincoln Child Center, the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, Black Adoption Agency, and the East Bay College Fund.

She has received recognition from Assemblyman Tom Bates, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, the East Oakland Mental Health Advisory Board, and the National Association of Black Administrators. She was presented "Volunteer of the Year Award" by the California State Democratic Party, and received a resolution from the Alameda County Board of Supervisors for outstanding County Service. Melanie resides in Oakland California, with her husband and two sons.