Omarosa confirms campaign to run for L.A. Unified School District Board seat
theGRIO REPORT - Reality TV star Omarosa Manigault has confirmed to theGrio that she is running for a seat on the L.A. Unified School District Board.
Reality TV star Omarosa Manigault has confirmed to theGrio that she is running for a seat on the L.A. Unified School District Board.
Omarosa, who is widely known for being a competitor on TV’s The Apprentice, says she was encouraged to run by parents in her congregation and in the community.
“I gladly answer their call to action,” she told theGrio in an email Wednesday. “There is nothing more important than fighting for our children!”
The 40-year-old says the success she has earned in life has come as a result of the tough experiences she faced growing up and her strength in overcoming them.
“[It was] reality,” Â Omarosa said. “I grew up in the projects. Surrounded by poverty and despair, I took what I had and created a successful life out of it.”
Now, her decision to begin campaigning was because of a personal vow she made to give back to the community and be a positive influence on the youth.Â
“I have been working and advocating for education long before I have ever been on television,” she said. “Growing up in public school and having witnessed tragedy, I made a vow to give back to youth and show that you can accomplish anything you aspire to be.”
Omarosa is currently a member of the board at Howard University’s MBA program where she also teaches. She has been teaching curriculum at the University level for more than a decade now and also serves as the educational director for Los Angeles Clippers Youth Hoops in partnership with The National Basketball Academy.
The reality star is up against nine other candidates in the race – and when asked for her thoughts on the likelihood of winning, she said: “This is a high-profile position which will require a person that has a plan developed and ready to implement immediately.”
Former board member Marguerite Poindexter LaMotte died in December and the winner will serve out the remaining term. Elections will take place on June 3.
Follow Lilly Workneh on Twitter @Lilly_Works
