Leaders of Color Win Memphis City Council Elections

We are thrilled to announce that three Leaders of Color Alumni have won their campaigns for Memphis-Shelby County City Council! Please join us in congratulating Michalyn Easter-Thomas (City Council District 7), Pearl Eva Walker (City Council District 3), and Janika White (City Council District 8-2)!?

Our program provides training so that Leaders of Color fellows and alumni can run for and support political campaigns. We are proud that several Memphis alumni played a vital role in these winning campaigns, including:

• John Bradley, Class of 2021, Campaign Manager (Michalyn Easter-Thomas)?
• Clifford Stockton, Class of 2018, Political Consultant (Pearl Eva Walker)?
• Lynn Whitney, Class of 2022, Campaign Manager (Pearl Eva Walker) & Marketing Consultant (Michalyn Easter-Thomas)?
• Kathryn Winsley, Class of 2022, Campaign Operative (Michalyn Easter-Thomas)?Grassroots campaigning and organizing:
• Arriell Gibson, Class of 2021, Shelby County Young Dems
• Amber Sherman, Class of 2023, Shelby County Young Dems?
• Rachael Spriggs, Class of 2023, The Equity Alliance?Kathryn Winsley, Class of 2022, Shelby County Young Dems

Learn more about our Leaders of Color Memphis-Shelby County 2023 City Council Election winners:?

Michalyn Easter-Thomas, City Council D7

A lifetime of community involvement taught Michalyn that organizing with neighbors and community groups is about listening first, and must be followed up by passionate advocacy on their behalf. She is already well experienced in acquiring resources and community funding through grants and initiatives, and looks forward to using an elevated platform to amplify the voice of the community. As a former teacher, Easter-Thomas is passionate about education and leveraging community voice to empower students and families. 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.

Pearl Eva Walker, City Council D3

Walker is deeply involved in the Memphis community, with a focus on energy and environmental justice. She has served as the Chair of the Environmental Justice Committee of the Memphis Branch of the NAACP. Her passion for helping her fellow Memphians led her to run for Memphis City Council in 2023 to help ensure Memphians have a just energy and environmental future. Walker works closely with local elected officials and organizations on various campaigns, such as the Memphis Has The Power campaign.

Janika White, City Council D8-2

Janika is no stranger to service. She was born into it. She’s the daughter of John and Anita White, who both worked at legacy Memphis City Schools as educators and administrators for nearly 40 years. Janika is also the niece of the late Reverend Ralph White. Affectionately referred to as “Uncle Pokey,” Reverend White mentored Janika as he poured his heart for the people of Memphis, served with pride and dignity, and called for reform and justice time and time again in the courtroom. Janika’s campaign platform and priorities focus on her passion for service, honesty, and leadership. She sets herself apart from other candidates running for the Memphis City Council through her extensive experience as an attorney, her deep involvement in the Memphis community, and her strong campaign platform and priorities.?