Melissa Reed

Melissa Reed was appointed to the Newark Board of Education in 2025 and proudly serves on the Instruction & Program and Operations Committees. Her journey from student leader to public servant reflects a lifelong commitment to equity, youth empowerment, and community transformation.

A proud product of the Newark Public Schools system, Melissa attended Louise A. Spencer Elementary School and later graduated in the top 10 of her class at Malcolm X Shabazz High School in 2013, where she participated in a wide range of sports, JROTC, and speech and debate programs. Affectionately known as "Grandma" by her peers for her leadership and nurturing spirit, Melissa’s passion for helping others was already evident in the hallways of her high school. As a high school graduate, she received the Gladys Hillsman Book Scholarship and the Malcolm X Shabazz Alumni Scholarship for her academic achievement and community involvement.

Motivated by her daily walk-through littered streets to school, Melissa founded the Newark Youth Community Cleanup Campaign—a grassroots initiative aimed at teaching youth the value of service, environmental justice, and pride in their neighborhoods.

Melissa graduated from The College of New Jersey with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Criminology, African American Studies, and Journalism Professional Writing, where she continued to be actively involved in ROTC, the BlackOut Step Team, and volunteered throughout Trenton, NJ with organizations like Isles Inc., the Young Scholars Institute, and the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. She was recognized at TCNJ’s Lavender Graduation for her advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ+ students.

Melissa has also worked on local political campaigns and later led her own campaign efforts around environmental advocacy, senior care, and community empowerment. In 2020, she completed the Leadership Newark Fellowship, where she collaborated with a cohort of changemakers to develop policy recommendations in alignment with the NBOE Strategic Plan. This experience honed her ability to conduct research, engage stakeholders, and contribute to solutions that promote student achievement and family engagement.

Her certifications and service recognitions include Certificate of Appreciation from Young Scholars Institute, Newark Residential Leadership Academy, National Urban League Advocacy Program Certificate, City of Newark Citizen Clergy Academy, Essex County Back-to-School Volunteer, Newark Economic Movement, Special Education Assistant - Spencer Miller

Additionally, Melissa completed information technology certifications through Per Scholas Newark, an organization dedicated to advancing technology careers in underrepresented communities. Her training there equipped her with skills in IT support, networking, and system administration. Recognizing the value of technology in addressing economic and educational disparities, Melissa took full advantage of this opportunity to bring digital equity and career development resources back to her community.

Melissa has also mentored Newark students through every major academic transition—from elementary to high school, and high school to college. She remains fully committed to youth development through Mayor Ras J. Baraka’s Leadership Academy, previously held at King’s Family Restaurant every second Saturday of the month. This initiative allowed Melissa to connect with young people who are now high school upperclassmen, college freshmen, or proud college graduates.

Professionally, Melissa has processed over 400 JACC applications through the Essex County Division of Senior Services and serves as a Care Manager. She has also helped organize over 30 environmental justice cleanups across Newark and teaches digital literacy and coding at the Urban League of Essex County Tech House alongside mentor Darrin Sharif. Her diverse experience includes interning in the Newark Police Department's Policy and Planning Division and Newark’s court system.

Currently pursuing her Master's in Information Technology Management from Western Governors University, Melissa aims to use data and innovation to create sustainable, equity-focused policies that improve the lives of Newark’s families.

Her lived experience, deep Newark roots, and relentless service-driven mindset make her a dynamic addition to the Board. She believes in the power of mentorship, civic engagement, and holistic education as tools to build the future our children deserve.

Melissa believes that “service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.” – Muhammad Ali