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Draft:Demetrus Coonrod

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  • Comment: There are a few sources that might establish notability. They also have information that was missed.[1][2][3] She also wrote a book.[4] Also, Yusuf Hakeem should be linked... the sourcing of which looks similarly (not really all that) notable. JackTheSecond (talk) 00:35, 12 June 2024 (UTC)


Demetrus Coonrod
Member of the Chattanooga City Council from the 9th district
Assumed office
April 24, 2021
Preceded byYusuf Hakeem
In office
2018–2021
Personal details
Born (1974-12-30) December 30, 1974 (age 49)
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Political partyTennessee Democratic Party

Demetrus Coonrod is among the first in Tennessee, and the U.S., to earn her voting rights back after a felony conviction.[5][6] A formerly incarcerated woman, Coonrod reinstated her voting rights in December 2016.[7] Her achievement is notable especially in Tennessee, where voting rights restoration is more difficult than in other states, and where few citizens regain voting rights after serving time for a felony conviction,[8][9] and where nearly 10% of the state can't vote in elections per felony convictions.[10] Coonrod is an advocate for the formerly convicted reentering society, fighting for the reinstatement of their civil rights (specifically voting) to ensure that those who have paid their debt can fully participate in civil life again.[11] In 2022, Coonrod published a memoir, From Prison To Purpose: A Past That Shaped My Future, in which she recounts her rise from the traumas and desperations of poverty to dedicated civic servant.[12]

Coonrod is a Democratic politician in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She is currently Council Woman for District 9, voted for her second term on April 24, 2021 and sits as chair member of the Council's Economic Development Committee.[13] She recently has announced she is running for a seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives, District 28 in November of 2024. [14]

She is a mother, grandmother, author, and graduate of the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga where she received a bachelor’s degree in Sociology in 2022.[15]

Early life[edit]

Coonrod was born in Chattanooga, TN on December 30, 1974, the oldest of 4 siblings. Because her parents struggled with drug addiction, she took care for herself along with her siblings and was raised by her grandmother, who she calls her "shero."[16] At 12 years old, became a mother of her own. Growing up in oppressed conditions and forced to endure a life of abuse, violence, and hardships, she was led to situations and experiences she now uses as a drive to accomplish positive change.[17]

She graduated from Chattanooga High School for Paideia and Performing Arts Phoenix 3 in 1993. Later she earned her associates from Chattanooga State Community College. She earned her bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of Tennessee Chattanooga.[15]

In 2001 and 2002, Coonrod pleaded guilty to being involved in holdups at Popeye’s and a plasma center as well as conspiracy to commit armed robbery. She did not herself commit crimes, but allowed others to use her vehicle to do so.[18] She received an 84-month sentence and was sent to prison in Tallahassee, Florida. She was released early due to cooperating with police during investigation that involved corrections officers smuggling drugs in exchange for money and sex. [19] [20]

Career[edit]

Coonrod worked as a T-Mobile employee while she ran for councilwoman and later became a franchise owner.

Community involvement[edit]

  • Vice Chair of Hamilton County Democratic Party[13]
  •       Hamilton County School Leadership Program[21]
  •       Chattanooga-Hamilton county NAACP[22]
  •       National Black Caucus[22]
  •       Order of Eastern Star Zia 31081[22]
  •       Tennessee Municipal League[22]
  •       A Step Ahead Contraceptive Access Advisory committee[22]
  •       Human Development Committee[22]
  •       President of Eastdale Neighborhood Association
  •       Board member of The Sports Barn, Community Development Block Grant, and Causeway
  •       Advocate for restoring voting rights for convicted felons as part of the Ban the Box Movement
  •       Member of Race, Equity, and Leadership Council by the National League of Cities[23]
  •       Board member of Criminal Justice Reform Task Force[22]
  •       Leadership Tennessee 2023-2024 Signature Program Class X[24]

Politics[edit]

After being released from prison, Coonrod decided to pursue politics. The Hamilton County Election Commission said Coonrod was eligible and qualified to run for office. Her voting rights and citizen rights were restored in November 2016. In April of 2017, Coonrod defeated long-serving Republican Yusuf Hakeem. [25]

Coonrod recently announced her candidacy for Tennessee's House District 28 seat and setting up a Democratic primary race with three-term incumbent Rep. Yusuf Hakeem, of Chattanooga. She says she was "bringing her dedication to public service and community empowerment to the state level. "The state and federal primary elections will be held in Tennessee on August 1, 2024. The general election will be on November 5, 2024.[26]

Positions[edit]

Chattanooga is a city made special by everyday people— families, children, teachers, nurses, veterans, union workers. Yet far too many have been overlooked or forgotten by those entrusted with representing them. Coonrod is focused on the issues impacting Chattanoogans and all Tennesseans, and on bettering the lives of all.[27]

Public Education[edit]

Every child, no matter where they live, should have the freedom to learn with an education that prepares them for the future. But some politicians are trying to reduce education funds and deny certain schools the resources they need. Coonrod will work to increase state funds allocated to our public schools and to ensure Hamilton County schools receive a fair and equal distribution of state funding to eliminate the inequalities that we see.

Healthcare[edit]

Everyone deserves equal access to high-quality healthcare.  Unfortunately, many hard-working Tennesseans do not have access to employer-based health coverage and the state legislature has failed to expand Medicaid. Coonrod will fight to increase access to health care for our residents to ensure that no Tennessean goes without the life-saving care they deserve, because no one should have to choose between spending money on medication or spending it on groceries.

Criminal justice reform[edit]

It is time we foster a criminal justice system that is equitable, just, and focused on rehabilitation. Coonrod advocates for measures that address systemic issues, including sentencing reform, ending mass incarceration, and promoting alternatives to imprisonment for nonviolent offenses. Coonrod strives to create a criminal justice system that emphasizes fairness, accountability, and the rehabilitation of individuals, recognizing the inherent dignity and potential for change in every person.

Coonrod brings up how there were barriers in place set for her after she got out of prison “Once I transitioned back into society after serving time in Federal Prison there were barriers in place that for sure would have routed me back inside those walls. I advocated for changes in policies/laws to be changed with housing requirements, fair sentencing, voting right restoration, disability to firearms, expungement fee reduced, and more.”[28] She also brings up the very important point that in order for her to restore her rights and quit the cycle the system put in place for people who are incarcerated: “I had to exclude a lot of people from my life. That included family and friends. Understanding that my environment was a breeding ground for criminal activity, I went to the streets to change that narrative for others, showing them a better path.”[29]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Elk, Mike (21 April 2017). "Pro-Union Ex-Offender Wins Chattanooga City Council Seat – Jackson..." Payday Report. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  2. ^ "News". Hamilton County Herald. 7 February 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  3. ^ "Judge dismisses challenge to Chattanooga City Councilwoman's residency". WTVCFOX. 11 June 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  4. ^ "Book Review: Demetrus Coonrod's Inspiring "From Prison to Purpose"". Chattanoogan.com. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  5. ^ "Demetrus Coonrod rises from convict to councilwoman | Chattanooga Times Free Press". www.timesfreepress.com. 2017-05-02. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
  6. ^ "Demetrus Coonrod rises from convict to councilwoman | Chattanooga Times Free Press". www.timesfreepress.com. 2017-05-02. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
  7. ^ "Council supports newly elected councilwoman with criminal past". Local3News.com. 2017-04-12. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
  8. ^ "Restoring Voting Rights for Tennessee Felons Is Discouraging". Governing. 2023-03-27. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
  9. ^ Levine, Sam; Lerner, Kira (2023-07-22). "Tennessee toughens voting rules for people with felony convictions". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
  10. ^ "Restoring Voting Rights for Tennessee Felons Is Discouraging". Governing. 2023-03-27. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
  11. ^ "Restoring Voting Rights for Tennessee Felons Is Discouraging". Governing. 2023-03-27. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
  12. ^ "Book Review: Demetrus Coonrod's Inspiring "From Prison to Purpose"". www.chattanoogan.com. 2022-01-25. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
  13. ^ a b "Demetrus Coonrod, District 9". chattanooga.gov. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  14. ^ Staff, Local 3 News (2023-11-15). "Chattanooga City Councilwoman Demetrus Coonrod announces run for Tennessee House of Representatives". Local3News.com. Retrieved 2023-12-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ a b Ryan, Shawn (2022-05-09). "City Councilwoman Coonrod earns UTC degree". UTC News. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  16. ^ "In Her Own Words: Demetrus Coonrod On "Prison To Purpose"". WUTC. 2022-03-15. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
  17. ^ "Demetrus Coonrod rises from convict to councilwoman | Chattanooga Times Free Press". www.timesfreepress.com. 2017-05-02. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  18. ^ "Book Review: Demetrus Coonrod's Inspiring "From Prison to Purpose"". www.chattanoogan.com. 2022-01-25. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
  19. ^ "The Transformation from Convict to Councilwoman". 13 June 2017.
  20. ^ https://tennesseestar.com/news/new-chattanooga-city-councilwoman-has-criminal-past/wwilson/2017/04/17/
  21. ^ "Demetrus Coonrod, District 9". chattanooga.gov. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g "Demetrus Coonrod, District 9". chattanooga.gov. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  23. ^ Murphey, Bailey (2019-02-12). "Chattanooga Councilwoman Coonrod appointed to National Equity Council". WTVC. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  24. ^ "Leadership Tennessee Names Councilwoman Coonrod To Class X". www.chattanoogan.com. 2023-07-03. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  25. ^ "Council supports newly elected councilwoman with criminal past". 12 April 2017.
  26. ^ "Chattanooga Council Member Coonrod makes 2024 challenge to Rep. Hakeem official | Chattanooga Times Free Press". www.timesfreepress.com. 2023-11-15. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  27. ^ "Demetrus Coonrod". Demetrus Coonrod. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  28. ^ sidreddy (2022-02-16). "Meet Demetrus Coonrod | City Councilwoman & Social Influencer". SHOUTOUT ATLANTA. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
  29. ^ sidreddy (2022-02-16). "Meet Demetrus Coonrod | City Councilwoman & Social Influencer". SHOUTOUT ATLANTA. Retrieved 2024-06-12.

Bibliography[edit]

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