City of Oakland Housing Authority Commissioner Shelby Picks Up Key Endorsements In Her Bid For At-Large Council Seat

Thirty-one year old Oakland Housing Authority Commissioner, Melanie M. Shelby, secures key supporters in her bid to run for the Oakland City Council, At-Large seat

(PRWEB) December 27 2003--Thirty-one year old Oakland Housing Authority Commissioner, Melanie M. Shelby, secures key supporters in her bid to run for the Oakland City Council, At-Large seat. This is the only council seat, other than the Mayor, elected by the entire city of Oakland.

Shelby, who filed her nomination papers earlier this month, is blazing trails in her first attempt at elected office. I want to create access to the political process for those who feel apathetic and disengaged," says Shelby. Issues plaguing our neighborhoods can be solved when we work collaboratively to address crime, create housing and support youth programs." Shelby is running with the support of two members of the Oakland City Council, Desley Brooks and Vice Mayor Nancy Nadel.

Other key endorsements include Assemblywoman Loni Hancock; former Assemblywoman Dion Aroner; former Vice Mayor Dezie Woods Jones; School Board President Greg Hodge; Alameda County Transit Board Director Rebecca Kaplan; Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA); National Political Women's Caucus; John George Democratic Club; Reverend Harold Mayberry; NAACP President Shannon Reeves; former Housing Authority Commissioner Carl Hackney and former Port Commissioner Robert L. Harris, Esq.

Currently, Melanie serves as Vice-Chair on the Museum of Childrens Art (MOCHA) Board of Directors. This Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Leadership Oakland Graduate and former Health and Human Service Commissioner continues to build a solid track record working effectively with local organizations, public agencies and in the private sector.

Professionally, Shelby is a local public affairs manager for Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Born and raised in Citrus Heights, California, Melanie received her bachelor's degree in Sociology at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). Upon graduation, she worked in education recruiting African American, Latino and Native American students to UCLA.

For more information on Melanie's 2004 race, please contact us at melanie@melanieshelby.org, call 510.451.2804 or visit www.melanieshelby.org.

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