Arlyssa Heard
Parent Leader and Education Organizer, 482Forward
Arlyssa Heard is a community leader for the HOPE Village Initiative as well as a parent leader and education organizer for the grassroots organization, 482Forward. In that role, she works directly with parents to establish parent and community voice within the education system. As a Focus: HOPE leader, Heard engages residents, plans and coordinates community-based projects, and facilitates monthly education roundtable sessions for parents, youths and residents.
Prior to joining 482Forward, Heard served on the board for Children’s Special Health Care Services, a program within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, as the voice of parents for children with special needs. She is a current board member for Cody High School, as well as Focus: HOPE’s Mothering Justice committee. She has also served on several parent advisory councils for Detroit Public Schools and grassroots neighborhood community councils.