Melodie Baker wears a lot of different hats in the Western New York community.
She is a small business owner, the co-founder of a charter school, a mother of five, and she recently took a leave of absence as the director of education for the United Way of Buffalo to pursue Congress.
“I spent the last 14 years of my life expanding education opportunities and access to health care for underserved communities,” she said.
One thing Baker hasn’t tried yet is a run for office. But she said she decided it was time for that to change after speaking with former Georgia House of Representatives Minority Leader Stacey Abrams.