All Together for Oakland Students: A Conversation with Ali Medina
Tag: People
Inspired by Hispanic Heritage Month, we connected with Alexandria “Ali” Medina, CEO of the Oakland Public Education Fund, for a conversation about her cultural roots, her path into education, and the spirit of service that guides her work year-round.
An Oakland resident and Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) parent herself, Ali has a personal connection to the students and families at the heart of that work. In our conversation, she shares a little about her upbringing, her belief in what communities can do together, and the experiences that have stayed with her along the way.
Q: How have your cultural roots or family traditions shaped your path into education?
A: I grew up in a Chicano mixed-race family where education and service to others was treated as a shared responsibility, not an individual achievement. My parents valued volunteerism and helped me to connect with summer camps and students with special needs so that I could spend at least one week per year giving back. That sense of collective care has guided my 30-plus years in community advocacy and philanthropy. To me, education is how a community invests in its own future.
Q: What do you hope young people take away from seeing their histories and cultures reflected in their education?
A: I hope they learn they belong and that their families' stories, languages, and traditions are strengths to build on, not things to leave at the classroom door. When students see themselves in what they learn, they start to see themselves as leaders and change-makers too.
Q: What brought you to the Oakland Ed Fund, and what keeps you connected to its mission?
A: Before the Ed Fund, I spent years working directly with schools, including running after-school programs in Mt. Diablo and OUSD. As an Oaklander, with two kids in OUSD schools, I was so excited to join the Ed Fund 8 years ago to use my talents to bring resources to our schools and especially the schools that I worked in OUSD: McClymonds, Life Academy, and Fremont HS. What keeps me here is the Ed Fund's broad reach. We can bring a whole city's resources to bear for every Oakland student, especially the ones furthest from opportunity.
Q: How would you describe the Ed Fund's work, and what are your biggest priorities for Oakland students right now?
A: The Ed Fund is the only organization raising money for all Oakland public schools, and since 2003 we've helped raise over $300 million for schools and programs that help students thrive. We partner with OUSD, manage major investments, and run grant programs like CUES that support nonprofits across Oakland. Right now, my priorities are getting resources directly to the students and families in schools with the greatest need. We do a lot of basic-needs fundraising, like the Power Fund Food and Schools Emergency Fund. I also love when we can work with other nonprofits to strengthen the nonprofit partners who serve students like Youth Alive and Youth Together who are also our neighbors in our building in Jack London Square.
Q: Is there a particular moment that captures why this work matters to you?
A: During Covid, we opened and ran two campaigns. One day, the Mayor, Libby Schaaf, called us to say that we had a $10 million dollar donor for the #OaklandUndivided campaign so that we could buy 27k computers and turn on 10k hot spots. It meant that the Ed Fund and our partners were responsible for ensuring that all kids in Oakland public schools could learn during the lockdown. I am not sure how I will ever top that.
Q: How did the Ed Fund come to be based in the Jack London district, and how has its connection to the neighborhood developed?
A: Our office is at 520 3rd Street. We moved down here from downtown because the building was really a hub for non profits. We have stayed for 9 years because being in Jack London puts us at the city's crossroads. We're close to downtown, the waterfront, and the communities our schools serve, and we're surrounded by neighbors and businesses who care about Oakland's future. We love our building and our neighbors.
Q: What opportunities are there for Jack London residents and businesses to connect with the Ed Fund and support Oakland students?
A: There are lots of ways to plug in. Volunteer during one of our Children’s Literature Read In weeks and/or give directly to a school, classroom, or program through the Ed Fund. Businesses can sponsor programs, offer internships or mentorship, or partner with us on corporate giving. www.oaklandedfund.org for our latest campaign and to sign up to volunteer.