Carol Raines-Brown is a respected community leader, educator, and public servant with more than 40 years of experience serving children, families, foster youth, grandparents raising grandchildren, schools, churches, businesses, and neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles County. Throughout her career, she has built strong partnerships among government agencies, educational institutions, businesses, faith-based organizations, and community stakeholders to improve the quality of life for families and communities.

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Carol currently serves as a Community Outreach Organizer for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Facilities Services Division. In this role, she collaborates with schools, Early Education Centers, neighborhood organizations, construction companies, public agencies, and community stakeholders on new school construction, campus modernization, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance projects, Water Hydration Unit installations, CAL FIRE initiatives, Nature Explore projects, and voter-approved bond-funded capital improvements. Her work is grounded in transparency, accountability, and meaningful community engagement.

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As a candidate for the West Basin Municipal Water District Board of Directors, Division 2, Carol is committed to protecting our water resources while ensuring residents receive safe, reliable, and affordable water. Her leadership is guided by five pillars: Water Affordability, Reliability and Sustainability, Accountability and Public Trust, Education and Workforce Development, and Community Representation.

 

Carol Raines-Brown believes effective leadership begins with listening, collaborating, and serving with integrity. She is committed to protecting our water resources, strengthening public trust, and ensuring West Basin continues to provide affordable, reliable, and sustainable water for generations to come.

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More about Carol

Carol earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wilberforce University, the nation's oldest private Historically Black College and University (HBCU). She received a Certificate in Linking Families and Communities from Harvard University in 2007, is currently pursuing a master's degree at Pepperdine University, and has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from St. Stephen's Bible College.

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From 2007 to 2015, Carol proudly served as an elected member of the Inglewood Unified School District Board of Education, including terms as Board President and Vice President. During her tenure, she championed educational excellence, fiscal responsibility, and expanded opportunities for students and families. She served on the Executive Board of the Los Angeles County School Trustees Association, represented the California School Boards Association (CSBA), and helped establish the IUSD Parent and Career Centers. In 2007, she helped bring the South Bay Workforce Development Youth Program to the district.

 

Carol founded the Carol Raines-Brown Adopt-a-Child, Gift-a-Gift Holiday Reading Series, serving Pre-K through eighth-grade students. Through partnerships with local businesses, colleges, entertainment industry leaders, and community organizations, the program has promoted literacy, career exploration, and higher education opportunities for countless young people. She also served as a Governance Board Member for the Southern California Regional Occupational Center (SoCal ROC).

 

Throughout her career, Carol has connected thousands of students, foster youth, and underserved individuals with colleges, universities, workforce development organizations, America's Job Centers, Goodwill Industries, DreamWorks, FOX Television, Paramount Pictures, and other industry partners to introduce career pathways in animation, film, media, technology, and the skilled trades.

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Carol has held numerous national leadership positions, including becoming the first African American woman appointed to the National Dropout Prevention Center Network Board of Directors at Clemson University, where she championed the national student film festival, Through the Eyes of a Child. From 2008 to 2015, she also served as a Board Member and National Secretary of the National Council on Educating Black Children.

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Her commitment to service extends beyond education. For more than four decades, Carol has faithfully served as a youth minister, mentor, choir director, worship leader, and community volunteer, believing that strong communities are built through service, collaboration, and integrity. In 2008, she wrote and produced Ms. Mary's House, a musical inspired by her parents' dedication to raising foster youth.

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Carol has also been recognized for her leadership in higher education and community service, receiving Loyola Marymount University's Fraternity and Sorority Life Advisor of the Year Award in 2026 and being nominated for the Farwest Region Advisor of the Year Award in 2021 by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

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As a candidate for the West Basin Municipal Water District Board of Directors, Division 2, Carol Raines-Brown is committed to protecting local water resources, ensuring fiscal accountability, investing in reliable and sustainable infrastructure, maintaining safe and affordable water, promoting environmental stewardship, expanding career pathways, and providing transparent leadership that puts families, businesses, and the community first.

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Leadership & Community Service

• Community Outreach Organizer, Los Angeles Unified School District

• Former President and Vice President, Inglewood Unified School District Board of Education

• Appointed Governance Board Member, Southern California Regional Occupational Center (SoCal ROC)

• Executive Board Member, Los Angeles County School Trustees Association

• Board Member, National Dropout Prevention Center Network (2009–2019)

• Board Member and National Secretary, National Council on Educating Black Children

• Board Member, Inglewood Area/Airport Chamber of Commerce (2007–Present)

• Representative, Los Angeles County Committee on School District Organization

• Founding President, Kelso Elementary School PTA (2006)

• Co-Chair, Community Luncheon, Inglewood Area Ministerial Alliance

• Co-Chair, Fundraising Committee, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated

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Selected Honors & Recognition

• Loyola Marymount University Fraternity & Sorority Life Advisor of the Year (2026)

• Farwest Region Advisor of the Year Nominee, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated (2021)

• Ecumenical Stewardship Award, St. Paul Lutheran Evangelical Association (2020)

• Women of Honor Award, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated (2018)

• El Camino College Women of Character & Commitment Wall of Fame Inductee (2014)

• California State Assembly Resolution Recipient (2007)

 

Carol Raines-Brown remains dedicated to creating opportunities, strengthening communities, and providing principled leadership through collaboration, service, and a lifelong commitment to improving the lives of others.