By Alecia Murray

1. What motivates me to show up as a parent leader and advocate?

My greatest motivation will always be my children. From my amazing adult daughter to my three active boys, watching them grow reminds me every day why parent voices matter. They’re the reason I stay involved, stay informed, and continue to advocate for families in my community. I really enjoy helping others, building relationships with parents, and sharing knowledge—from holistic health to policy advocacy, and community resources—because informed and empowered families strengthen entire communities.

Through my work with the Ohio Parent Advocacy Network (OPAN), United Parent Leaders Action Network (UPLAN), and other parent groups, I’ve seen just how powerful it is when parents have real seats at the table—and how often their voices are missing. That’s what drives me to stay active in different parent groups: to learn what’s happening across communities, share information, and help families feel connected and supported.

What keeps me going is that moment when a parent realizes their voice can spark real change. That energy inspires me to keep advocating every single day.

2. What inspires me to advocate for better child care and early education (CCEE)?

My inspiration to advocate for better child care and early education comes from my own journey as a mom. Before my three boys were enrolled in Head Start’s home-based program, I struggled to teach them with workbooks and flashcards. I wanted them to love learning, but it felt like something wasn’t clicking. Then a Head Start home-based teacher came into my home and began showing me how learning could be fun—through play, games, and everyday experiences. Watching my boys light up with curiosity during those moments changed everything for me. I realized that early education isn’t just about academics—it’s about connection, joy, and discovery.

During some of our family’s hardest times, the Head Start Parent Ambassador Program—the original name of OPAN—became a source of strength and community. Joining the Parent Ambassador program helped me heal and grow by connecting with other parents who shared their stories with honesty and courage. Hearing those voices made me realize how powerful it is when families are seen and heard. That’s what continues to inspire me: knowing that our lived experiences can shape policies and improve systems for every child and parent who comes after us.

What keeps me motivated are the small victories—the moments when a child grasps something new or when a parent realizes their voice has real influence. Those moments remind me why advocacy matters. When families are supported and their voices are truly valued, we don’t just improve early education—we build stronger, more compassionate communities for everyone.

3. What is one of my biggest accomplishments as a parent advocate?

One of my proudest accomplishments as a parent advocate has been co-founding the OPAN Alumni Group alongside a deeply committed group of parent leaders and my amazing mentor. After completing OPAN’s year-long training, many of us realized we weren’t ready to stop — the program had equipped us with so much knowledge, confidence, and momentum that parents wanted to stay involved, continue advocating, and keep building upon everything we had learned. That shared commitment is exactly why the alumni group was formed. As I continued growing through organizations like OPAN, UPLAN, the National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement (NAFSCE), and Groundwork Ohio, my dedication to empowering other parents only deepened. Helping build this alumni network with such a passionate group of parent leaders has shown me how powerful we can be when we unite with purpose—and how far our voices can carry across the state.

Another accomplishment I’m especially proud of is joining the Family Math Parent Advisory Council (PAC) in 2019. This council not only introduced me to UPLAN, but it also deepened my love for advocating in a space that feels so natural to me. Math has always been a joy in our home—something I love and something my boys genuinely enjoy—which makes advocating for high-quality family math opportunities for everyone to feel effortless. Through the PAC, I’ve connected with incredible parent leaders from across the country, and I’ve been inspired by the collective passion we share. With NAFSCE now leading the Family Math initiative, the work is thriving, and I’m excited to see how this movement continues to grow and support all families.

Seeing the OPAN Alumni Group and the Family Math PAC empower parents to share their stories, influence policy, and lead meaningful change has been incredibly rewarding. These accomplishments are more than milestones—they’re proof that when parents come together, their voices can transform entire communities.

4. What excites me about this fellowship?

This fellowship excites me because it gives me a platform to amplify parent voices on a national level and collaborate with others who are passionate about equity and family-centered policies. I’m always ready to learn from other parent leaders and experts, contribute my lived experiences, and help shape solutions that truly reflect what families need.

What excites me most about CLASP’s leadership in this fellowship is their strong commitment to teaching policy. I want to deepen my understanding of how policy works—how it’s created, implemented, and sustained—so I can use that knowledge to strengthen my advocacy. CLASP’s expertise in breaking down complex policy concepts and making them accessible to advocates like me will help me connect my lived experience to real policy solutions. Learning from CLASP’s approach will give me the tools to engage more confidently with decision-makers and translate community voices into informed, impactful action.

This fellowship is not just an opportunity to learn—it’s a chance to grow as a policy advocate, build relationships with others who share my passion, and turn our collective experiences into policies that truly support families.

5. How do I hope to use my skills and expertise to enhance the work of CLASP and the broader CCEE policy space?

I hope to bring my experiences as a parent and advocate to support CLASP’s work in shaping early childhood education and care policy. Having worked at local, state, and national levels with OPAN, UPLAN, NAFSCE, and Groundwork Ohio, I’ve seen firsthand the difference that parent voices make in creating meaningful, equitable change.

I want to use my skills to connect policymakers with the real stories of families—the challenges, successes, and ideas that come from lived experience. By sharing what parents need, helping families find their voice, and supporting collaborative initiatives, I aim to ensure that policies are not only informed by research but also grounded in the realities of everyday family life. My goal is to help parents feel empowered to influence the systems that shape their children’s education and well-being, so that every child has the opportunity to thrive.

6. Outside of advocacy, what are some of my favorite things to do?

My world really revolves around family and finding joy in everyday moments. I love spending time with my husband, our three energetic boys, and my adult daughter. Whether I’m cheering them on at sporting events, playing together at home, or exploring local parks, those moments fill me with joy and remind me why family is at the heart of everything I do.

I’m also really close to my parents and my big extended family. As the oldest of seven, I grew up surrounded by noise, laughter, and a lot of love — and that hasn’t changed. We still talk all the time, gather at my parents’ house, and lean on each other through everything. That closeness keeps me grounded and reminds me why strong family connections matter so much.

I am very passionate about holistic health and wellness (before the boys, I was an aerobics instructor). I love finding ways to take care of my mind and body—whether it’s practicing mindfulness; using singing bowls, tensor rings, or crystals; or experimenting with fermentation in the kitchen. These small moments keep me centered and give me the energy to tackle whatever life—or my kids—throws my way.

And then there’s my playful, slightly quirky side—I’m a total treasure hunter at heart. I love garage sales, thrift stores, and bargain hunting. (I used to be an extreme couponer, so finding a great deal still gives me a rush!) I get such a kick out of discovering hidden gems, repurposing things in creative ways, and sharing those finds with my kids. It’s fun, spontaneous, and always full of surprises.

I love embracing my playful, carefree side through the messy, hands-on adventures I share with my boys. We love to slip on a pair of mudding boots and slosh through creeks, wander through the woods foraging goodies, or simply explore the outdoors, observing wildlife and soaking in the beauty of nature. They’re the moments that make life joyful, messy, and perfectly imperfect—playful adventures that spark curiosity and become memories I’ll treasure forever.

All in all, my family, wellness practices, and love for simple adventures keep me balanced, inspired, and ready to bring that same energy and heart into my advocacy work.

Read more about the fellowship here.