Meet Lori Alhadeff | President of Make Our Schools Safe

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lori Alhadeff and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lori, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
MAKE OUR SCHOOLS SAFE was founded by Alhadeff, who lost their beautiful 14-year old daughter, Alyssa, to the brutal shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on Valentine’s Day 2018. Alyssa was bright, energetic, happy, athletic – a pure ray of sunshine who lit up every room with her warm smile. She was an honor student, a good friend who was known to stay up later then she should have in order to support others, a winning debater, and a star soccer player, the captain of her traveling team.

Alyssa was the kind of girl whom every mother wants their daughter to be friends with, and whom any parent would be proud of. She was playful, loved dancing, singing, and family beach days on Long Beach Island, New Jersey. At the same time that she was a fierce attacking soccer mid-fielder, she loved clothes, makeup, and all things sparkly off the field. She was the best big sister to her two younger brothers and a mentor to her younger cousins.

Alyssa, #8 on the soccer field, often marveled at how her number, when rotated 90 degrees, signifies infinity. Her favorite color was aqua, actually known as the color of protection that wards off the evil eye. We honor her with the infinity and colors in our logo – a symbol of constant alertness that contributes to the safety of our youth.

In their grief, Lori and Ilan Alhadeff founded MAKE OUR SCHOOLS SAFE so that no other parent has to endure the pain they live with.
  

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
After the tragedy on 2-14-18 I ran for the Broward County School Board District 4. I am currently on the board for the last 6 years. This is my second year as the Chair of the Broward County School Board. I turned my pain and grief into action by having a seat at the table in order for me to make an impact and change. I have learned to be a better listener and know that many people are out for their own personal gain. I am very careful. Also, shortly after the tragedy I started the non profit organization Make Our Schools Safe. We are focused on passing Alyssa’s Law panic button in schools nationwide (already passed in 5 states), Make Our School Safe Clubs and putting money back into schools for school safety projects. We have already donated over $350,000.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them to the Deerfield beach. They have a pier where you can fish. Take walks on the beach.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would dedicate my shoutout to my daughter Alyssa Alhadeff.

Website: www.makeourschoolssafe.org

Instagram: makeourschoolssafe

Linkedin: lorialhadeff

Twitter: lorialhadeff

Facebook: makeourschoolssafe17

Youtube: Make Our Schools Safe

Other: Tik Tok Makeourschoolssafe_

Image Credits
Lori Alhadeff