Juan Mendez grew up in East Palo Alto, where he attended Ravenswood District Schools before graduating from Phoenix Academy. He is a proud, first-generation college graduate from the University of California Berkeley, with a BS in Legal Studies and a minor in Public Policy. Mendez returned to East Palo Alto after graduating college and has demonstrated a significant commitment to his community by running for City Council and serving as a Planning Commissioner for the City of East Palo Alto. He decided to join the East Palo Alto Community Archive project because he understands the importance of preserving our history and the need to share our story for many generations to come. In his spare time, he mentors high school/college students, enjoys reading, trips to the beach and spending time with his family.