Councilman Edmund Ford, Jr. was elected to the City Council in November 2007, making him the youngest African-American ever to be elected to the Council and the second youngest overall at the age of 28. He is a mathematics teacher at Central High School where he graduated from in 1996 at the age of 16. Mr. Ford is the oldest child of former Councilman Edmund Ford, Sr. and Myrna Ford. He is the current Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Committee and Vice-Chairman of the Personnel, Intergovernmental, and Annexation Committee. Mr. Ford also serves on the CIP Budget Committee, the Economic Development, Tourism, and Technology Committee, the MLG&W Committee, and the Housing and Community Development Committee, where he was formerly the Chair.
Councilman Ford, Jr. graduated cum laude from Tennessee State University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics with a Minor in Computer Science and a Master of Science degree in Mathematical Sciences with an emphasis in Technology. During that time, he was an inductee into the Golden Key National Honor Society. At the age of 22, he was accepted into Vanderbilt University's doctoral program at the Peabody College where he performed two years of PhD work in the area of Leadership and Policy Studies. During his years at Vanderbilt, he assisted nationally renowned Professor James C. Hearn with the completion and publication of the text, "Diversifying Campus Revenue Streams: Opportunities and Risks". Ford is currently working on his doctorate in Higher Education Administration and Supervision, having received an Educational Specialist degree in the same field. He expects to graduate August 2010.
Councilman Ford, Jr. demonstrated his interest in public and community service at a young age via his affiliation in Jack and Jill of America, Inc., an organization where the preservation of the quality of life for African-American children is of paramount importance. Throughout his entire life, Councilman Ford has been involved in several community initiatives focused on the quality of life. Recognizing a need in his community, Ford instituted a tutorial program that has facilitated the needs of high school students who needed to pass the Algebra Gateway exam in order to graduate. Currently, over 250 students, parents and others have attended these sessions. In 2008, Mr. Ford and his students scored in the top 15% in the state on the Algebra 1 Gateway exam. Last year, they performed in the top 9% statewide, with all seniors graduating on time with high school diplomas.
During his tenure as Councilman, Mr. Ford has performed public service in a local and state capacity. He has served as legislative liaison to MATA, the Memphis Housing Authority, and the Cook Convention Center. Councilman Ford, Jr. also served on Mayor A.C. Wharton?s Transition Team as Chairman of the Government Efficiency Sub-Committee and a member of the CIP/Engineering Sub-Committee. He is also a member of Shelby County Mayor Joe Ford?s Task Force on Core City Development, Redevelopment, and Revitalization. Mr. Ford has shown his support to the Tennessee Renewable Energy and Economic Development Council (TREEDC) whose mission is to interconnect renewable energy resources with statewide economic development. Last year, he completed the Local Government Leadership Program at the Jimmy Naifeh Center for Effective Leadership, an agency of the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service. Councilman Ford, Jr. is also a member of the 2010 Executive Class of Leadership Memphis.
Mr. Ford is a member of the Bluebird Park Estates Neighborhood Association, the McCorkle Road Neighborhood Development Association, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, Inc., and Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, Inc., the largest service fraternity in the nation. Local affiliations include the TSU Alumni Association (Shelby County Chapter) and the Orange Mound Lodge of Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons.
Councilman Ford serves on the Steward Board at Ford Chapel AME Zion Church in south Memphis where he has been a lifelong member.
Photos
Councilman Edmund Ford Jr. works alongside a resident of
the Riverview-Kansas neighborhood during a community
clean-up effort on August 23, 2008
Councilman Edmund Ford Jr. poses with Reverend Ralph White
and City of Memphis CAO Keith McGee while
cleaning up the Riverview-Kansas neighborhood