Candidate for
Board Member; Corona-Norco Unified School District

John "Mr. Z" Zickefoose is a community leader we can all be proud of. He has an inspiring story and is a selfless leader who serves our children everyday by promoting literacy and education in a way that makes a lasting impact.

John has been the Outreach Coordinator for the Corona Public Library since 1994. He is perhaps best known for his children's storytelling program. John, or "Mr. Z" as he is widely known by kids, is a natural storyteller and delights in promoting the value of literacy to children.

For more than 30 years, John was illiterate, barely capable of writing or reading his own name. He managed to graduate from high school, but admits that he could only read a few words on his diploma. He even started his own business when he was in his mid 20's, but in 1993 his second grade son, Shawn, began asking him for homework help that he could not provide. At his wife's suggestion, John contacted the Corona Public Library and began to attend literacy classes.

Empowered by his new reading skills, John became an advocate for the youth in the community. In 1996, he founded United Neighbors Involving Today's Youth (UNITY). This collaborative group has grown over the past decade to include more than 80 public and private organizations. UNITY has helped to obtain over $17 MILLION in grant funding for Corona-Norco Unified Schools.

John is a familiar face at community events. He is the Co-Chairperson for the American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life", emcee at the Chad Zeller Memorial Walk, emcee for 4RKidsSake events, Corona Life Services, popular assembly speaker at local schools, and more!

John is active on many nonprofit boards and the recipient of several community awards.

John is also a family man. He and his wife Eileen of 28 years live in El Cerrito. John and Eileen have two sons: Shawn, 24, and Adam, 21, who just got married this summer.

Are you inspired by John's story? Email him to tell him how you feel and join his campaign to become our next School Board member: John@ElectMrZ.com.