A Clear Vision for Tennessee
The Equity Alliance Fund, the affiliate 501(c)4 advocacy organization of The Equity Alliance, encourages Black voters to support policies and candidates who will invest in overlooked and underserved communities of color.
From Nashville to Washington, D.C., Tennessee needs leaders who will advocate for Black Americans and other communities of color to have a fair and just opportunity at realizing the American dream.
This year, we are proud to announce our 2023 Tennessee candidate endorsements.
These progressive leaders have a clear vision for a better future for Tennesseans. Under their leadership, constituents will have a chance to earn a good living, send their kids to well-resourced schools and get access to quality healthcare that they need to be well and stay well. These candidates are champions for Black lives and will stand up to greed-fueled special interests and defend us against radical laws that seek to control our communities, suppress our votes, and perpetuate decades of racial injustice.
MEET THE MEMPHIS CANDIDATES
MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL ENDORSEMENTS
JERRI GREEN
MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 2
Jerri Green is a product of the Memphis public schools, graduating from White Station High School. She holds a J.D. from Georgetown University School of Law and a B.A. from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where she graduated with majors in English and Political Science. She currently serves as is currently Senior Policy Advisor to Mayor Lee Harris where she works on many issues, from Women’s Health and Public Safety to Refugee Assistance and Blight Remediation.
Her work, from ending criminalization of HIV status in the state of Tennessee to providing public transportation for indigent individuals to welcoming Afghan refugees to our community, is always grounded in lifting up those whose voices are all too often ignored.
JANA WASHINGTON
MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 4
Jana is running to be re-elected to the City Council position to continue the work she has begun in District 4. She desires to humbly serve her constituents by continuing to work with Liberty Park Sports Plex Project, revitalizing our facilities for improving parks and libraries, and public transportation, especially for those that have disabilities. She also wants to continue to address potholes and needed street paving; as well as, addressing blight in our neighborhoods and throughout the city.
MICHALYN EASTER-THOMAS
CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 7
Michalyn was elected Councilwoman for Memphis City Council District 7 because she understands that community comes first, bringing integrity and transparency to this City Council seat. It is the time for engagement over apathy and action over complacency. All of Memphis deserves investment and support to strengthen our community’s economy, safety, and livability. Michalyn will fight to make sure District 7 gets the support it deserves.
She is well experienced in winning resources and community funding through grants and initiatives, and looks forward to using an elevated platform to amplify the voice of the community. She recognizes a better future comes only through action in the present, and we can together build the communities our children deserve through action and advocacy.
MICHALYN EASTER-THOMAS
MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 7
Michalyn was elected Councilwoman for Memphis City Council District 7 because she understands that community comes first, bringing integrity and transparency to this City Council seat. It is the time for engagement over apathy and action over complacency. All of Memphis deserves investment and support to strengthen our community’s economy, safety, and livability. Michalyn will fight to make sure District 7 gets the support it deserves.
She is well experienced in winning resources and community funding through grants and initiatives, and looks forward to using an elevated platform to amplify the voice of the community. She recognizes a better future comes only through action in the present, and we can together build the communities our children deserve through action and advocacy.
JB SMILEY, JR
MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
SUPER DISTRICT 8, POSITION 1
JB Smiley, Jr. is a native Memphis who understands the value of hardwork and the importance of a supportive community. JB attended the University of Arknasas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, passed both the Arkansas and Tennessee Bar exams, and founded his own law practices, Smiley & Associates, PLLC. In 2017, Smiley was appointed as a policy advisor to the Shelby County Clerk and served in that capacity until his election to the Memphis City Council in October of 2019. JB currently serves as Vice Chair of the City Council and holds key roles as Chair of the Public Works; as well as, several committees and on two commissions.
JB has an impressive track record from his work on Memphis City Council in support of ordinances to better support the People of Memphis.
JANIKA WHITE
MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
SUPER DISTRICT 8, POSITION2
Janika is a native and lifelong Memphian who has been serving the people of the city that she dearly loves. Her close-knit family of community leaders, activists, and the church instilled in her strong values of service and leadership at an early age. Janika is a graduate of Central High School, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and earned a J.D. from the University of Tennessee College of Law. After law school, Janika served as the judicial clerk to the Honorable Kenny Armstrong at the Chancery Court for Shelby County.
Her energy, professional experience, innovation, and passion for my community make her uniquely qualified to be the person to continue and build upon the work of the Memphis City Council.
BENJI SMITH
SUPER DISTRICT 9, POSITION 1
Creativity and enterprise are at the heart of his vision for Memphis. As your future Memphis City Council member for Super District 9-Position 1, he is committed to driving initiatives that encourage innovation, stimulate economic growth, and provide opportunities for every citizen to realize their potential.
Benji is committed to understanding the diverse perspectives of our community, to engaging with the realities that our neighbors face every day, and to implementing policies that address their unique needs and aspirations. He is also committed to developing good policies in order to build strong communities that work for everyone.
BENJI SMITH
MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
SUPER DISTRICT 9, POSITION 1
Creativity and enterprise are at the heart of his vision for Memphis. As your future Memphis City Council member for Super District 9-Position 1, he is committed to driving initiatives that encourage innovation, stimulate economic growth, and provide opportunities for every citizen to realize their potential.
Benji is committed to understanding the diverse perspectives of our community, to engaging with the realities that our neighbors face every day, and to implementing policies that address their unique needs and aspirations. He is also committed to developing good policies in order to build strong communities that work for everyone.
BRANDON WASHINGTON
MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
SUPER DISTRICT 9, POSITION 2
Brandon is a proud Memphian, hailing from the great community of Orange Mound. He is a former foster youth and youth advocate. His experience listening to and channeling the voices of young people impacted by the foster system, violence, and homelessness through conversations with local, state, and national decision-makers has equipped me with the skills to not only hear the concerns of Memphians but to also be a champion for solutions.
Brandon believes the future of our city hinges on the change that happens now. He knows that together, we can build a Memphis with beautiful and thriving neighborhoods, high-quality infrastructure, and an empowered youth population.
MEET THE NASHVILLE CANDIDATES
FREDDIE O’CONNELL
MAYOR
Freddie has a track record of putting people over profits, supporting marginalized groups, and investing in Nashville’s future. We believe that Freddie will continue to champion Black lives and work diligently to create a more equitable and sustainable Music City for all.
METRO COUNCIL AT-LARGE ENDORSEMENTS
DELISHIA PORTERFIELD
METRO COUNCIL AT-LARGE
Delishia Porterfield is an educator, a mother and an activist. She is also a lifelong Tennessean and public servant. In 2019, Delishia won the Special Election for the Metro Council District 29 election. She’s served as the Chair of the Minority Caucus, and as Vice-Chair to the Public Health and Safety Committee, Education Committee, and of Budget and Finance where she worked to pass Nashville’s most progressive budget and make Nashville teachers the highest-paid teachers in the state.
ZULFAT SUARA
METRO COUNCIL AT-LARGE
Zulfat Suara was elected as an at-large council member in September 2019. With over 34,000 votes from a diverse population, she became the first Muslim to be elected to the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County and the first immigrant elected to an at-large position. On council, councilmember Suara has been a fierce advocate for human rights while serving as Chair of the Affordable Housing Committee, Chair of the Education committee, Vice-Chair of the Budget Committee, and Member of the Audit and Personnel/Public Relations Committee. One of her proudest moments was when the council added advocacy centers to all elementary schools to support the social-emotional learning of children.
OLIVIA HILL
METRO COUNCIL AT-LARGE
Olivia Hill was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. Olivia has served as a community leader, educating the public about the difficulties faced by women and the LGBTQ+ community. She is frequently invited to speak at many of Nashville’s premiere organizations. Olivia plans to bring the full breath of her experience and leadership skills to Nashville Metro Council. Dedicated to serving the communities she loves, Olivia will not shy away from the effort required to improve our already fabulous city.
QUINN SEGALL
METRO AT-LARGE
Quinn Evans Segall is a Nashville native. Throughout her life, Quin’s family showed her the value of service to others. Quin is the Vice-Chair of Nashville’s Industrial Development Board, where she continually pushes that Board and Metro be more open about deals and to use public financing tools to make people’s lives better through affordable housing, increased parks, greenways and transit options, and encouraging good, middle class jobs. She wants Nashville’s government to serve Nashvillians in the same way Nashvillians show up and serve each other.
HOWARD JONES
METRO COUNCIL AT-LARGE
Howard Jones is a father, faith leader and veteran school administrator. From his time serving in the juvenile court system to acquiring Kingdom Cafe & Grill, Howard continues to give back to the community through programmatic initiatives committed to improving the life trajectory of marginalized people from disadvantaged backgrounds. He has devoted his life to fighting for living-wage jobs, access to affordable housing, food insecurity and an equitable and just public safety system.
METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT ENDORSEMENTS
MIKE CORTESE
METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 4
Mike Cortese understands the power of community and personal responsibility, and will invest in neighborhoods that have been neglected by the city government for far too long.
He will fight fiercely to make sure every family in Nashville, regardless of their current circumstance, has the opportunity to make tomorrow better than today. Mike’s policy priorities include: keeping Nashville affordable, responsible growth, public safety, resident engagement, mental health and education.
Currently, Mike serves as an Adjunct Professor at Belmont University and an Opportunity Development Manager at Dell Technologies. During the first half of his career, he served as the Director of Client Services & Special Projects for the artist management firm SEG, Inc. Mike and his wife Amy have lived in Nashville for over 22 years.
ERIC PATTON
METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 11
Eric wants all Nashvillians to work together, no matter who you are, who you voted for, what you look like, or who you love. We’re all neighbors and deserve a seat at the table. Enough division, enough nonsense. Let’s be neighbors again and talk with each other. He strives to make District 11 a model for the rest of the city, and let’s do it together.
His campaign focuses on schools, services and small businesses. Eric strives to bring the attention of local government back to the needs and lives of the people who live in Nashville.
TASHA ELLIS
METRO COUNCIL DISTRICT 29
Tasha is a committed leader who will work to make sure the residents of District 29 have their communities, schools, roads and safety taken care of. She will fight for fair access to resources and city services for the community.
Tasha’s political career began as volunteer at the Tennessee Democratic Party. She eventually landed a full time job as the office manager. After a few years, she branched out and started working as a legal assistant at TN’s leading civil rights and labor law firm, Barrett Johnston Martin & Garrison. Working with George “Citizen” Barrett opened her eyes to the daily struggles of U.S. citizens. Day after day, Mr. Barrett worked on behalf of the underdog and was not afraid to go toe-to-toe with our state’s most powerful sectors on behalf of his clients. Tasha’s dedication to putting her community first is what inspired her the decision to run for city council. Her values of hard work, kindness, and integrity are the cornerstones and will guide her work if she is elected to represent District 29.
About The Equity Alliance Fund:
The Equity Alliance Fund is a fierce advocate for social justice and equity. Our mission is to address structural racism, create equitable opportunities, and empower marginalized communities. Our purpose is crystal clear: to create transformative change and amplify the voices that deserve to be heard.
Join the Movement:
We understand the power of direct engagement, which is why we're thrilled to introduce our Street TEAm: Boots on the Ground Democracy Defenders. This initiative is all about taking to the streets and being present on the ground, ensuring that every member of our community has an equal opportunity to engage in the civic process.
What We Do:
As a proud member of the Street TEAm, you'll have the opportunity to:
Knock on doors, engage with our neighbors, and have meaningful conversations about the importance of voting.
Be a presence at local community events, sharing crucial information and inspiring discussions on the issues that truly matter.
Join our phone banking efforts, connecting with fellow community members, and encouraging them to exercise their right to vote.
Why Join:
This is about more than just endorsing a specific candidate or political party. This is about guaranteeing that every voice, no matter the background, has a chance to be heard. By joining our Street TEAm, you'll be at the forefront of driving change, promoting equity, and shaping Tennessee's voter turnout story.
Be the Change Maker:
Become a Boots on the Ground Democracy Defender and help us rewrite history by transforming Tennessee's voter turnout landscape. Together, we can build a stronger democracy that ensures every community member has the opportunity to participate and shape the future.
Ready to take action? Reach out to us at [Email Address] or visit our website at [Website Link] to sign up for the Street TEAm: Boots on the Ground Democracy Defenders. Join us as we hit the streets, educate our community about what's on the ballot, and empower everyone to make their voices heard at the ballot box – all while earning up to $25.00 per hour.
This is about us. This is about our community. This is about making a difference.
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