Melvin Clayton (’16) has joined Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families as the Race Equity Director for Advocacy.
“I am most excited to work collaboratively with communities throughout the state of Arkansas in the creation, advocacy and implementation of policies that allow children and their families the chance to lead healthy, productive lives and reach their full potential,” Clayton said.
Clayton’s responsibilities with AACF will include working with staff – specifically in the areas of communications, outreach, public engagement, and policy – to more deeply ingrain equity and inclusion in the day-to-day external advocacy work with diverse audiences and partners. He will work with AACF management and the board of directors to ensure that equity and inclusion are ingrained in internal management, policies, procedures, and culture. Additionally, he will lead the organization’s advocacy work on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and hunger policy with a race equity focus.
In addition to his Master of Public Service, Clayton is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff with a degree in English.
“Attending the Clinton School allowed me the unique opportunity to examine public service and social justice from both a practical and theoretical point of view,” Clayton said. “It is important to understand both aspects when engaging in justice work.”
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