Meet Micah Ali: Compton's foot soldier for Universal PreK
Deepa Fernandes / KPCC
Micah Ali is a strong advocate for quality preschool education for his district's 3-5 year olds. His car is his "office" as he zips around Compton and Los Angeles to get resources and support for preschool children.
It was midday at McKinley Elementary School and a changing of the guards was taking place. One group of parents was picking up kids after their morning at preschool, and another group arrived to drop off theirs for the afternoon class. This is one of 19 free programs for 3- to 5-year-olds at Compton public schools.
And right in the middle of it all was the head of the school board, Micah Ali.
Dressed in a soft blue waistcoat, stylish mauve shirt and jeans, Ali greeted parents with an outstretched hand and broad smile. The children got an affectionate hair ruffle.
“I’m very much interested in hearing any challenges, impediments, concerns, or hurdles that parents may have so I can address them on their behalf,” he said. “These folk are my boss. I answer to them.”
It sounds like politician speak, but Ali says he regularly visits schools at pick up time so he can meet parents and office staff, teachers and the principal at McKinley Elementary.
Born and raised in Compton, Ali has spent six years on the school board – a job that