Draft:Nate Miley

Nate Miley (born May 7, 1951) is an American County Supervisor of Alameda County’s 4th District, in California. He was re-elected to his seventh term in March 2024. A member of the Democratic Party, Miley chairs several committees, including:

• Social Services Committee
• Procurement and Contracting Policy Committee
• Unincorporated Services Committee

In addition to these roles, Miley is an active participant in numerous regional bodies, commissions, and organizations, including:

• Metropolitan Transportation Commission
• Bay Area Air Quality Management District
• Bay Area Housing Finance Authority
• Association of Bay Area Governments
• Local Area Formation Commission
• Joint Powers Authority for the Oakland/Alameda County Coliseum

Early Life and Education

Miley was born in Washington, DC, and raised in Prince George’s County, Maryland. He majored in Government at Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania, before earning his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Maryland School of Law.  

Career

Jesuit Volunteer and Community Organizer

Miley began his career in Oakland, California in the late 1970s, as a volunteer with a Jesuit nonprofit group. His volunteer post grew into a paid professional position with the founding of the Oakland Community Organizations (OCO), now known as Faith In Action East Bay. Miley’s development as a Community Organizer led him to work closely with grassroots residents, local public officials, and both the private and non-profit sectors to address community needs and resolve longstanding issues. By 1980, Miley was director of The Organized Communities for a Unified Stockton, an OCO affiliate organization, and later trained with the Industrial Areas Foundation’s Metropolitan Organization in Houston, Texas. His work as a professional community organizer included training other organizers nationwide for the National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs in Washington, D.C.

Advocacy for Seniors

Early in his career, Miley identified significant unmet needs among the elderly population in Oakland, California. In response, he formed a committee that ultimately led to the establishment of the United Seniors of Oakland and Alameda County. This non-profit organization now includes more than 13,000 members. Under Miley’s leadership, the organization secured funding for essential senior services and also pushed for funding to renovate the Downtown Oakland Senior Center and to develop four multi-purpose senior centers throughout Oakland.

Among the many accomplishments of United Seniors is the annual countywide Healthy Living Festival (HLF), which promotes healthy living and successful aging for older adults. The 21st Annual HLF in 2024 was the largest of its kind, attracting more than 3,000 participants and 100 exhibitors to the Oakland Zoo from all over the county for resources, nutritious no-cost lunch, age-appropriate exercise, and socializing.

Oakland City Council

Due to his successful community organizing and advocacy for seniors, Miley was encouraged to run for Oakland City Council District 6. He won the seat in 1990, defeating an incumbent who had held the position for 13 years. During his time on the council, Miley earned a reputation as a 'maverick' by tackling persistent issues in his district and throughout Oakland, such as:

• The overabundance of liquor stores in neighborhoods of color.
• Tobacco sales to minors and tobacco use in public spaces.
• Excessive speeding on neighborhood streets
• Household lead abatement.
• Creation of a comprehensive violence prevention plan.
• Revitalization of the Eastmont Mall from a retail center to a social service-oriented center.
• Development of the city’s first police substation and implementation of community-oriented policing.
• Developed Oakland’s nationally recognized pedestrian safety plan.

Alameda County Supervisor

While in his third term on the Oakland City Council, Miley ran for the Alameda County Board of Supervisors District 4 seat in 2000. He successfully won the position, defeating a crowded field of opponents. As a County Supervisor, Miley made significant strides in improving the county’s healthcare system and neighborhood livability.

Major Accomplishments

• Strengthened Alameda County’s healthcare system and enhanced neighborhood livability.
• Authored pioneering legislation that created the nation’s first no-cost drug disposal ordinance, a landmark in environmental protection, public safety, and public health.
• Championed the passage of a measure that generates more than $100 million annually for crucial healthcare programs in Alameda County.
• Led efforts to combat illegal dumping and organized annual statewide conferences on the issue.
• Championed numerous pieces of legislation and initiatives to enhance the quality of life for Alameda County’s unincorporated communities.

Commitment to Social Justice

Miley has long been a supporter of social justice initiatives, including his work with the NAACP and marginalized communities. In 2011, he authored a resolution apologizing for the enslavement and racial segregation of Black Americans in Alameda County, as defined by the guidelines of the American Descendants of Slavery Advocacy Foundation. He currently chairs the Alameda County Board of Supervisors’ Ad Hoc Reparations Committee, developing a comprehensive action plan for reparations. Miley is also a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and continues to fight for workers’ rights and more opportunities for women and contractors of color.

Summary

Nate Miley’s career is distinguished by his dedication to community service, senior advocacy, social justice, and improving healthcare and housing in Alameda County. He remains a champion of pragmatically progressive causes, leading initiatives aimed at strengthening communities and supporting vulnerable populations.