In every community, there are people who hold titles, and there are people who hold the community together. In Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) District 4—a vibrant, diverse district stretching from Hickory Hill to Southwind—we have had plenty of titles. We have had resumes filled with federal jobs, technological careers, and high-level administrative experience. But as we look toward the future of our schools, parents are asking a different question. They aren't asking for a better resume. They are asking for a stronger rope—someone who can tie the disconnected pieces of our educational system back together.

They are asking for the "Voice of the Village."

Michelle Jones is that voice. A mother, a nonprofit executive, a youth advocate, and a community stabilizer, Michelle is launching her campaign for the MSCS School Board District 4 seat not because she wants to be a politician, but because she has spent 16 years being a first responder for education. Her campaign is built on a simple, radical premise: Proximity matters. You cannot advocate for a child you do not know, and you cannot represent a parent you have never met.

The Reality of District 4: A Call for Connection

To understand why Michelle Jones is running, we must first look honestly at where we stand. In the last election for this district, nearly 6,000 residents cast their ballots. While a winner was declared, the numbers told a much more complex story. The incumbent won with less than half of the vote. In fact, 55.7% of voters asked for someone else. Nearly 3,000 neighbors went to the polls hoping for a different vision—one that wasn't just about high-level governance, but about high-touch connection.

These voters reside in the quiet cul-de-sacs of Southwind and the busy corridors of Hickory Hill. They are the parents dropping off students at Germanshire Elementary, wondering if their child is getting the same resources as students in other zip codes. They are the families at Kirby High School, looking for safer environments and stronger mentorships. They are the teachers at Winridge Elementary and Ridgeway Middle, who pour their hearts into their classrooms but often feel their voices stop at the schoolhouse door.

The data suggests that District 4 feels disconnected. The current leadership, while credentialed, has focused on outcomes from a distance—relying on established systems and federal-level experience. While valuable, this approach often misses the "pain points" on the ground. It misses the student who is one suspension away from dropping out. It misses the parent who works two jobs and can’t navigate the complex school board website to advocate for their special needs child.

Michelle Jones represents the 55.7% who are asking for more. She represents a shift from "Governance by Resume" to "Governance by Relationship."

16 Years of "Boots on the Ground"

Michelle Jones does not need to learn the district; she has spent over a decade and a half serving it. While others were building corporate careers, Michelle was building WEE Care Memphis, a nonprofit organization that has become a lifeline for over 1,500 families in Memphis and Shelby County.

Her work is not theoretical. It is deeply, often passionately, practical. When she says, "Hope is where the resources are," she means it. Through WEE Care, she has provided immediate access to resources for families in high-poverty communities, directly combating the statistical recidivism rate and increasing economic stability. She didn't wait for permission or a board seat to do this work; she saw a need and filled it.

Her experience is vast and varied, touching every corner of the youth experience in Memphis:

• Youth Intervention: For 10 years, Michelle has worked in student gang intervention and mentorship. She understands that "bad behavior" is often a cry for help or a lack of resources. She has walked the halls of the John Wilder Youth Development Center as a Community Advisory Member, looking into the eyes of young men who the system had given up on, and finding potential there.

• Community Safety: As the right hand to Craig Littles at the Memphis Shelby Police Activities League (PAL), she has coordinated the Youth NFL Flag Football Program, using sports as a vehicle to build trust between law enforcement and local youth.

• Family Stabilization: Through partnerships with Feed The Children, she has ensured that hungry students have food on the table, understanding that a hungry child cannot learn.

Michelle’s resume is written in the lives she has changed. It is written in the "I AM the Change" MLK Day of Service, bridging the gap between residents and mental health resources. It is written in the "I AM a Lady" and "I AM a Gentleman" cotillions, where she mentors young men and women in grades 6-12, teaching them that they are worthy of success.

The Philosophy: Connection Over Conflict

Michelle is not running to attack the incumbent. "I respect anyone who serves our community," she says often. "My work has been hands-on, working directly with families, students, and schools every week. That proximity matters."

This campaign is about a contrast in vision. The current leadership operates on a model of "Managing the District." Michelle Jones operates on a model of "Empowering the Village."

She believes that the solutions to the problems in District 4—whether it is literacy rates, safety, or teacher retention—are already present in the community. They are locked inside the minds of the parents, the experiences of the teachers, and the dreams of the students. The job of the School Board representative is not to dictate from above, but to unlock those solutions from within.

"Parents shouldn’t have to fight to be heard," Michelle says. "They should be the primary partners in this journey."

The Four Pillars of the Michelle Jones Platform

If elected, Michelle Jones will bring a fresh, energetic, and visibly accountable approach to the school board, focused on four key pillars:

1. Student Well-Being: Beyond the Test Scores Education is personal. Michelle knows that our students are facing a mental health crisis. She plans to push for annual surveys to identify students and families in need of emotional support—proactively finding them before a crisis occurs. Her goal is to emphasize mental health just as heavily as academic metrics, creating a sense of "belonging" in schools like Highland Oaks and Lowrance School. If a child does not feel safe and seen, they cannot learn.

2. Inclusive Environments: A Seat for Everyone Diversity is a fact; inclusion is a choice. Michelle is committed to ensuring that our schools are safe, welcoming spaces for all students, regardless of their background or ability. This includes specific support for students with special needs—an area Michelle is passionate about through her board work with the Mary A. Bunker House of Hope. She will advocate for staff training to remove barriers to inclusion, ensuring that every family feels they own a piece of the school system.

3. Community Engagement: Radical Transparency The days of closed-door decisions must end. Michelle plans to institute regular "Fireside Chats"—both in-person and via Zoom—to hear directly from parents. She will not just attend the mandatory meetings; she will be present at PTA meetings, football games, and band concerts. She proposes a "Community Captain" model, where designated parents in each school have a direct line to her office to report issues and successes. As she puts it, "We need to out-listen, out-connect, and out-show-up."

4. Governance and Accountability: Stewardship of Trust Michelle brings 10 years of nonprofit leadership to the table. She knows how to manage a budget, how to report financials, and how to ensure every dollar is spent with integrity. She believes in the fair and just distribution of taxpayer investments. She will fight to ensure that budget priorities align with the strategic plan—specifically ensuring that resources are directed to the classroom, not just the central office. She wants to see "visible accountability," where parents can easily see how their money is resulting in student success.

The Path to Victory: The "Southwind Strategy" The road to the School Board runs through the neighborhoods. Michelle understands the political landscape. She knows that the incumbent had low engagement in key precincts in the Hickory Hill and Southwind areas. These are the areas Michelle calls home. These are the areas where she will focus her energy.

Her strategy is to mobilize the community early. She is calling on her supporters to dominate Early Voting. By securing votes before Election Day, she plans to make the "I'll vote later" risk obsolete. She is building a team of 25-30 "boots on the ground" volunteers—parents, teachers, and neighbors—who will walk the blocks, knock on doors, and share the message that change is possible.

She is not asking for blind loyalty; she is asking for partnership. "I am telling you right now, I’m running off my passion for these babies," she tells supporters. "I do not have the millions to start this campaign, but I’m believing in people who believe in me, and the dollars will come."

A Vision for the Future

Imagine a District 4 where the School Board member is a familiar face, not just a name on a ballot. Imagine a district where a mother in Hickory Hill knows exactly who to call when her child is struggling. Imagine a district where the school system partners with local nonprofits, businesses, and faith organizations to wrap their arms around every child.

This is the vision of Michelle Jones. It is a vision born from 16 years of doing the work when there were no cameras and no votes to be won. It is a vision that sees the potential in Ridgeway, the excellence in Southwind, and the heart in Belle Forest.

We are at a crossroads. We can continue with the status quo—competent, perhaps, but distant. Or we can choose a leader who has been in the trenches. We can choose a leader who has fed the hungry, mentored the lost, and advocated for the voiceless.

We can choose the Voice of the Village.

Join the Movement

The Committee to Elect Michelle Jones is forming now. We are looking for those who are ready to amplify the voices of school leaders, advocate for effective initiatives, and align integrity with vision.

Whether you are a parent at Oak Forest Elementary, a business owner in District 4, or a concerned citizen who believes that strong schools build strong communities, there is a place for you in this campaign.

We need your voice. We need your energy. And most importantly, the students of District 4 need your vote.

Let’s bring the focus back to the babies. Let’s bring the village back to the schools.

Michelle Jones Candidate for MSCS School Board, District 4