Mel’s father was an immigrant from the Philippines and his grandparents were from Puerto Rico. He was raised by his mother and Abuela in a one-bedroom apartment in Queens. They taught him the values of sacrifice, selflessness, and service. It’s because of them that he believes everyone deserves to live their lives as free from suffering as possible and that we have an obligation to help each other during this brief existence. 

His childhood experiences and community inspired him to dedicate his life to service and garner degrees in public administration and public policy. Mel’s worked for years with multiple organizations including the National Foundation for Women Legislators, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Planned Parenthood of NYC, and at College and Community Fellowship where he worked on the intersection of criminal justice reform and higher education, as well as women’s rights issues. 

As a father of three, activist and advocate, Mel has cultivated deep ties to his community. Whether it’s new immigrants struggling to get by, or the grandchildren of a previous generation who made their roots here, the people in Queens share in a desire to build a good life and to provide a better future for all.

Mel understands that we are facing the greatest threat to our democracy in modern times, which threatens to undercut the very pillars that uphold it. But he knows his community is bonded by a common struggle to lift up one another and their families. He knows our democracy can be saved, but we can only do it together.