RIVERSIDE, CA – The California Teachers Association (CTA) has officially announced its endorsement of Oliver Unaka for the Riverside County Board of Education in the upcoming June 2nd election. This major endorsement highlights Unaka’s commitment to student readiness and his proven track record in educational governance.

"Oliver Unaka has a keen understanding of the modern educational landscape, which is paired with a collaborative approach and his unifying message of hope and endurance during these uncertain times," a CTA leader stated. "His focus on bringing diverse individuals to the table to focus on vocational and technical education, combined with his unique insider perspective on serving all student groups, makes him the ideal advocate for both students and educators in Riverside County. We are proud to stand with a proven leader who prioritizes student support and fiscal transparency."

The CTA endorsement follows an all-encompassing and structured review process, signaling a unified front among educators across the region. Unaka prevailed as the most knowledgeable and experienced candidate in CTA’s rigorous endorsement process, which included representatives from each of the county’s teacher unions. 

Unaka is competing for Trustee Area 1, which includes Corona-Norco Unified School District, Lake Elsinore Unified School District, and a portion of Riverside Unified School District. This official endorsement from the California Teachers Association represents all 23 domiciling teachers' unions within Riverside County, in addition to the Riverside County Office Teachers Association (RCOTA). By securing this broad consensus, the Unaka campaign demonstrates a unique ability to align the diverse needs of educators serving in both local school districts and county-led programs.

"On behalf of the members of the Riverside County Office Teachers Association (RCOTA), we are proud to endorse Oliver Unaka for the Riverside County Board of Education, Area 1," said Castella Ysaguirre, President of RCOTA. "After a thorough interview and review of his record, it is clear that Oliver possesses a deep understanding of the challenges facing our schools today. He has demonstrated a firm commitment to protecting public education, promoting equity for all students, and listening to the workers and families who make up our communities. We firmly believe he will bring integrity and balance to the Board, and we are proud to stand in solidarity with a candidate who consistently puts students first."

Representing approximately 310,000 educators in more than 1,100 local chapters across the state, the CTA’s endorsement is a significant milestone for the Unaka campaign. The organization cited Unaka’s devoted service as a parent volunteer and co-founder of a parent advocacy group, his extensive experience as a K-12 and university executive, and his deep roots in the Eastvale community as primary factors in their decision to support his candidacy for the open seat. Oliver’s unwavering commitment to public education has been exemplified in his work in both Inglewood Unified and Pomona Unified, as well as his decade of service and support to his home district of Corona-Norco Unified. 

"I am deeply honored to receive the endorsement of the California Teachers Association," said Unaka. "As a parent and a long-time resident of this county, I know that our educators are the backbone of our community. I look forward to working alongside them to ensure our schools remain centers of innovation, safety, and excellence for every student in Riverside County."

Unaka has been a vocal advocate for hands-on job training and specialized learning models. His platform emphasizes strengthening the bridge between secondary education and career success, ensuring all students—including those with unique learning needs—have the resources to thrive.

With the election less than two months away, the Unaka campaign continues to build a broad coalition of support from parents, educators, and community leaders focused on elevating the standard of public education in the County of Riverside.

About the California Teachers Association

The California Teachers Association (CTA) is the state’s largest and most influential advocacy organization for educators, representing approximately 310,000 members across more than 1,100 local chapters. As a powerful affiliate of the National Education Association, CTA is dedicated to protecting the well-being of students and a diverse range of public education professionals, including Pre-K–12 classroom teachers, Education Support Professionals (ESPs), higher education faculty and staff, counselors, librarians, and school nurses, as well as school psychologists and social workers. By uniting these professionals alongside retired educators and students preparing to enter the profession, CTA works to ensure that California’s public schools remain centers of opportunity and equity through robust collective bargaining and legislative advocacy. The California Teachers Association exists to protect and promote the well-being of its members; to improve the conditions of teaching and learning; to advance the cause of free, universal, and quality public education for all students; to ensure that the human dignity and civil rights of all children, youth and adults are protected; and to secure a more just, equitable, and democratic society.

About Oliver Unaka

Oliver Unaka is an experienced educational leader, university executive, and candidate for the Riverside County Board of Education. A resident of Eastvale (Riverside County) since 2008, Oliver and his wife LaKeisha have been together for 27 years. They are raising their two children: Brooke, a freshman (pre-med major) at Howard University, and Carter, who attends a local public high school.  Oliver Unaka is a product of South Central Los Angeles public schools and graduated from Westchester High after being voted ‘Most Likely to Succeed.’ He went on to matriculate at the University of California at Santa Barbara, graduated with honors in Philosophy, and was inducted into Phi Sigma Tau International Honors Society. Oliver continued his studies at the University of Redlands’ Master of Science and Organizational Leadership (MSOL) program. As well, he earned a Master in Governance designation from the California School Boards Association (CSBA). He is also advancing his knowledge of school board governance with a specialized CSBA Master in Governance focused on county boards of education. Oliver is a staunch advocate for ‘At Promise Youth’ and has been recognized for his decade of service to the National College Resources Foundation, where he mentored students and expanded college access programs, earning the title of “Community Champion” from state and local leaders. His candidacy is grounded in the belief that every student deserves safe schools, high-quality instruction, and a clear pathway to success in college, career/trades, and life. For more information about Oliver Unaka’s candidacy and his vision for Riverside County schools, visit www.voteunaka.com.