These are the candidates running for Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board District 7

The incumbent candidate in the Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board District 7 race, Frank Johnson, faces four challengers in the Aug. 1 election.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board District 7

Chavez G. Donelson

Donelson, a barber by trade, said he believed the school district needed to focus curricula on STEM subjects ― science, technology, math and engineering ― to prepare students for the tech jobs of the future in the area. He also placed an emphasis on providing college preparatory training and vocational education training to MSCS students.

Danielle Huggins

Huggins currently works as a fourth-grade English Language Arts teacher in Memphis and advocated for more resources for literacy education not only in the classroom but out in the community to ensure students have support at home to continue learning. If elected she said she plans to "hold schools accountable, and improve early childhood education."

Frank William Johnson (incumbent)

Johnson's background includes in-classroom education experience, higher education experience and leadership in his community association. He said he would hope to see needed upgrades to many MSCS schools include dedicated spaces for college, career and technical education training programs and programming on creating podcasts.

Towanna C. Murphy

Murphy has a background in business and radio and has experience working with groups to administer Head Start funding and advocate for special education students. To improve literacy scores, she said she would focus on adding after-school tutoring but also on education retention programs to ensure children don't lose educational gains during breaks.

Jason Sharif

Sharif previously worked with the Tennessee Department of Children's Services and as a sixth-grade social studies teacher at Craigmont Middle School and is the founder and executive director of RESPECT The Haven Community Development Corporation. He said as a school board member, he would look to strengthen partnerships with community groups to help address the out-of-classroom issues that block in-classroom learning.