Alvin Lee speaks about how anyone can make a change in education reform. He sheds light on the accessibility of lawmakers in the community and how to make tangible change out of problems seen in schools and education. Alvin Lee (he/him) has been deeply involved in California education policy since 9th grade and envisions an interconnected education system where student voice and leadership help drive policy creation. Prior to becoming engaged in ed policy, Alvin interned for then-candidate Gavin Newsom and State Assemblymember Kansen Chu. In both capacities, he helped with policy and legislative research. These opportunities combined with him seeing education inequity first-hand through the lived experiences of a close childhood friend compelled him to speak at his first ever school board meeting in 8th grade. Since then, he's developed a spark and deep passion in public policy and community organizing. He is also the Chair and Co-Founder of the California Department of Education's first Youth Advisory council, where he utilizes youth voice to shape education-policy affecting all of California's 6.3 million public school students. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx