About Aisha Knowles

Aisha Knowles serves on the Alameda County Board of Education as the Trustee for Area 4, where she has provided steady leadership for over a decade, including serving as President of the Board during the height of the pandemic. Her public service spans education, public safety, and community engagement, and reflects a deep commitment to ensuring that public systems are responsive, accountable, and grounded in the communities they serve. In addition to her role as a trustee, Aisha is also a founding member of the Hayward Reparative Justice Steering Committee where she served as Chair. 

A descendant of Russell City and producer of THE APOLOGY, a feature-length documentary on the history of Russell City that explores the historical significance of an apology, Aisha brings a unique combination of lived experience, policy leadership, and communications expertise. In her professional career, she has served in public affairs and public information roles within Alameda County for more than 21 years, helping translate complex systems and emergencies into clear, community-centered communication. 

Across her work, she consistently emphasizes the importance of keeping stories alive—not as history alone, but as guidance for how we design policies and systems today.