Memphis School Board

With the help of New Path, I won the race for Memphis City School Board with over 50% of the votes, avoiding an anticipated run-off election between myself and the incumbent to the District. We defeated two opponents, including the incumbent! I am proud of our clean, well run campaign, and I am grateful to the New Path Team for providing the necessary talent and expertise to help me win. From our initial meeting, I was impressed with this group of young professionals, and their commitment to positive change for our community. They have a refreshing and hopeful outlook for the future of Memphis and they seek out others who share their vision. Their high ideals and passion for excellence inspires the same from others. I am privileged to have worked with the New Path Team, and I am honored to now call them my friends.

Since I’ve been on the Memphis City School Board, I’ve often mentioned to those that I’ve encountered that attitudes are contagious. I have also come to the conclusion that not all peer pressure is bad. Not that I was pressured to seek the appointment on the Memphis City School Board; I was inspired by the tireless effort and commitment of my peers. Being a part of New Path has inspired me to do my part to make Memphis better and I can say, without question, that if not for the kindred spirits and minds all of you (members of New Path) possess, I wouldn’t have taken the leap of faith needed first to seek the appointment and be fortunate enough to win the seat outright and unopposed. Another phrase I’ve picked up along the way is “I can’t, we can” and I feel that New Path embodies that philosophy. If Memphis is to become a better place to live, I surely can’t do it alone, but I strongly feel that the continued efforts of New Path will help set a standard and a level of purpose that will encourage others to do their part. Let’s keep spreading our attitudes.

Mere words cannot adequately express my gratitude for all of New Path’s encouragement, support and help during my campaign for Memphis City School Board Commissioner. I am appreciative of everything you did to help bring this to a positive conclusion. I know that New Path was an integral part of the success encountered. I want to encourage the organization and it’s members to continue your endeavors to help those of us who want to make a positive change.
Together we can do it!
I will make you proud of all of your hard work and efforts contributed to my campaign. I will also call upon you for assistance. I love you all and I will continue to keep you in my prayers that each of you will fulfill your purpose and destiny in the Lord Jesus Christ!

New Path was born at a time that was a true blessing for me. I made the decision to run for the Memphis City Schools Board of Commissioners in early 2004. At the same time, Darrell Cobbins, Cardell Orrin and Eric Robertson were forming New Path. I communicated my decision to run for office to someone who knew of the plans for New Path. That person in turn told Cobbins my plans. Cobbins called me and set up a meeting with him, Orrin and Robertson, and the Hart for Education Campaign began! I was absolutely amazed at the awesome knowledge of these gentlemen. Each brought a specialized skill set that combined to create a very powerful and well-run political machine! I had no idea of all I would need to do or to know to run an effective campaign, and I am certain that I owe all of my success to the resources provided by New Path. I will be forever grateful to New Path--it is an organization that is truly needed in this community and whose time has come!