Monday, Sep 17, 2018
  • We lost a significant member of our community last week - Dr. Faye McNair-Knox. She was 68 years old.

    Dr. Faye, as she was known to all, was born and raised in East Palo Alto and became the voice of those less fortunate in that and surrounding cities – particularly for the youth. Educated at Stanford University, she received her Bachelor’s Degree in 1972 and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Teacher Education in 1985. Dr. Faye was also was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Maiduguri in Nigeria.

    Dr. Faye was well-known as the Executive Director of One East Palo Alto, where she served since 2004.  She was the creator of the organization’s Sponsored Employment Program where more than 1,100 East Palo Alto and Belle Haven youth secured summer jobs, often when they had barriers to employment.  She celebrated her community’s diversity and empowerment to enable others to attain and maintain a good quality of life – striving to make East Palo Alto better each and every day.

    Dr. Faye was often recognized for her work and was named Woman of the Year for Assembly District 21 in 2010. In 2017, it was my honor to nominate her and she was inducted into the San Mateo County Women’s Hall of Fame.

    Thank you Dr. Faye for dedicating your life to your community. You will be missed by so many and as you would say – “Let’s show some love”.