I am honored to recognize Raye Clendening as my February Community Champion of the Month as we celebrate Black History Month. Raye has spent her career as an inspiring educator and community activist, empowering students, schools and communities to reach their goals.

When Raye was 11 years old, while attending the Friendship Baptist Church in Pasadena in 1957, she was impacted by hearing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speak of the inequities, injustice and discrimination that Black people faced in the South. His words resonated with her because she and her family had lived that experience when she was growing up in the South in 1940s and 1950s.

Raye has lived a fulfilling life as a highly respected educator, mentor, community leader and elected official. As a current member of the Board of Directors of MiraCosta College, she brings a lifetime of experience that began as a teenager.

During her nearly 35-year career in K-12 education in Los Angeles and San Diego counties, Raye opened pathways of success for the students and teachers as a principal in the Fallbrook Union Elementary and Oceanside Unified School Districts. Her dedication and service earned her recognition as the Middle Grades Principal of the Year for the State of California.

Raye has spent her career as an inspiring educator and community activist, empowering students, schools and communities to reach their goals.

In retirement, Raye continues her dynamic leadership as a volunteer to encourage, empower and educate the community. Raye is a founding member of the North County Business and Professional Women’s Organization and the North County African American Women’s Association. As a 2013 graduate of Leadership North County, a program of California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) that seeks to cultivate leaders in the San Diego North County region, Raye was recognized by her cohort with the Fran Aleshire Award as the graduate who exhibits the characteristics of great leadership.

Thank you Raye for your life of incredible service and for all the lives you have touched!