24th Ward Progressive Democrats voted to endorse Bret Narayan for 24th Ward Alderman and Megan Ellyia Green for President of the Board of Aldermen during our February membership meeting.
From Bret’s Website:
Bret grew up in St. Louis and then attended the University of Missouri – Columbia, where he majored in political science before attending Saint Louis University School of Law and serving as president Phi Delta Phi, the university’s legal honors fraternity. Bret moved to Dogtown in 2015, although he was no stranger to the neighborhood before then. Since 2015 he has been involved with the Clayton-Tamm Community Association, where he currently serves as Vice-President; the 24th Ward Progressive Democrats, where he served as Secretary; and the 24th Ward Regular Democrats. Bret has also worked with Dogtown United on Dogtown’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities and with the St. Louis Young Democrats, as their Director of Communications.
Bret has been a practicing attorney for the last five years at Narayan Attorneys at Law, where he works with his brother, who is also a lawyer. Bret works primarily in civil litigation on behalf of small businesses and “mom and pop shops,” but also does criminal defense work on behalf of homeless and low-income veterans through the Kaufman Fund. His personal ethics drive a holistic practice that provides important services to “the little guy” who needs a hand up.
Bret believes in working hard to make the democratic process available and spends time volunteering for campaigns and causes near and dear to his heart. Dogtown, the 24th Ward, the City of St. Louis, and the St. Louis region need strong advocates with the ability to work on the immediate needs of the community while maintaining a long-term vision that involves a successful, inclusive future for all residents of St. Louis. Bret’s focus, experience, drive, and ability to work collaboratively toward the greater good make him the right choice for the voters of the 24th Ward.
You can learn more about Bret Narayan on his website http://bretnarayan.com
From Megan’s Website:
Megan Ellyia Green moved to St. Louis in 2005 to participate in the Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs. Upon graduating, she taught middle school in St. Louis Public Schools, before transitioning into the nonprofit sector where she worked for Shalom House, Lemay Child and Family Center, and Childcare Aware of Missouri. Megan saw up close the real-world impact that policies and politics have on people, and saw how many people are being left out and left behind.
In 2014, Megan ran for office as the underdog candidate for Alderwoman of the 15th Ward. The St. Louis political establishment was aligned against her, but she won and took office as Alderwoman, representing the Tower Grove South, Tower Grove Heights, and Tower Grove East neighborhoods. She was re-elected by large margins in March 2015 and March 2017.
Since taking office, Megan has become the progressive champion of St. Louis, fighting for a higher minimum wage, civilian oversight of our police department, reproductive rights for women, protections for victims of domestic violence, marijuana legalization, and responsible development with community benefits. More recently, she gained attention for her powerful #MeToo post to bring attention to issues of sexual assault and harassment.
As a result of her leadership, Megan was presented the 24th Annual Hershel Walker Peace and Justice Award from the Worker’s Education Society, and the 2017 Martin Luther King Human Rights Award from the Coalition of Black Trade Unions.
In 2016, Megan was elected to represent Missouri as a Member of the Democratic National Committee for the next four years and also sits on the Executive Committee for the Missouri Democratic Party. Recently, Green joined the Board of Directors of Local Progress, a national organization committed to bringing together local progressive elected officials to drive progressive policy at a local level. In those roles, Megan ensures that the needs of St. Louis are heard at both the state and national levels, while advancing progressive policy at a local level.
Megan has a B.A. in Political Science from Pennsylvania State University, a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from St. Louis University, and is currently in the final stages of completing her Ph.D. in Education Policy at St. Louis University.
You can learn more about Megan Ellyia Green on her website http://green4stl.com/