Board Member

Kitty Kelly Epstein, PhD

Kitty Kelly Epstein, PhD, is an esteemed academic, author, radio show host, and dedicated urban activist. Her journey in education began with ten years of teaching at the Street Academy before pursuing her doctoral studies at U.C. Berkeley. During her tenure at Street Academy, she played a crucial role in initiating successful programs aimed at diversifying the teaching force, fostering inclusivity, and empowering students.

Kitty's commitment to education extended beyond the classroom, as she later focused on preparing doctoral students at the Fielding Graduate University. Her dedication to her community led her to be a prominent figure in the campaign to recruit and elect the revered Congressman Ron Dellums as the Mayor of Oakland. Subsequently, she took the lead in orchestrating an 800-person task force process for his incoming administration.

Currently, Kitty co-hosts a radio show on urban issues and education alongside her son, Jaron. She is also an accomplished author, having penned three books, including "A Different View of Urban Schools: Civil Rights, Critical Race Theory, and Unexplored Realities" (Revised edition). Her impactful contributions to education and activism earned her the Marcus Foster Outstanding Teacher Award during her time at Street Academy and the prestigious Urban Affairs Association Activist Scholar Award in 2013.

Kitty's recent activism continues to make a difference, encompassing campaigns against the takeover of Oakland's Port by the billionaire Fisher family, advocacy for solidarity with Palestine, and efforts to implement policies that prevent the displacement of less affluent families from Oakland.