Is it important for children to have the best education possible? Is it important for children to have a safe place to learn? Is it important for children to have opportunities that stretch their imagination and support their creative learning process? I don’t know anyone who would say no to these questions. We all want children to learn, grow and thrive. Children are our future and I want all children to have the very best opportunities to learn, explore and thrive.

​​The unknown beliefs we carry about other people shape our view of the world. Implicit bias highlights challenges faced in black and brown communities. We all have unconscious beliefs, but when people of color struggle to get a job, a raise or promotion, buy a home, go to school, drive a car or walk down the street because of the color of our skin, it's a problem we cannot continue to ignore.

Currently, Tennessee ranks 46th in the nation for student funding and support. On a local level, the sad truth is that not all schools in Hamilton County have achieved equitable standards, but it is possible. How do we achieve equity in schools? We have to first understand the needs of the children in their respective schools. Each child and their school has different needs and we have to understand these needs in a way that better supports the children within their community. 

Every 10 years, Hamilton County, like every county in the country, goes through redistricting. The next date this happens will be on April 7, 2022. Redistricting is meant to redistribute districts based on population growth to ensure that each district is fairly represented and equal. In the state of Tennessee, there are no checks and balances in place that protect its citizens from unfair redistricting to favor one group or party over another, otherwise known as gerrymandering.  

We need to understand that redistricting is not partisan. We need to do what's right for all citizens of Hamilton County in spite of the financial cost. If that means, expanding the number of county commissioners and districts, then we expand the number of county commissioners and districts.

We need to take a moment to recognize that the process of selection of the chair of the county commission is not and has never been a practice that empowers a just, inclusive or equitable community. 

Students in District 4 are concentrated in schools with fewer resources. Our schools have 90% or more students of color and spend $733 less per student per year than public schools with 90 percent or more white students. We can do better.