Draft:Demetrus Coonrod

Demetrus Coonrod Member of the Chattanooga City Council from the 9th district Incumbent Assumed office April 24, 2021 Preceded by      Yusuf Hakeem Member of the Chattanooga City Council from the 9th district In office 2018-2021 In office 2021-2024 Personal details Born                   Demetrus Coonrod December 30, 1974 Chattanooga, Tennessee Political party    Democratic

Demetrus 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. She recently has announced she is running for a seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives, District 28 in November of 2024.

Coonrod is a formerly incarcerated woman who was able to reinstate her voting rights in December 2016. She is an advocate for the formerly convicted reentering society by fighting for the reinstatement of their civil rights. Specifically voting. Her efforts to ensure that those who have paid their debt can fully participate in civil life again.

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

Her journey from prison to public office exemplifies resilience, determination, and the power of redemption.

Demetrus Coonrod’s life serves as a testament to transformation, second chances, and the ability to rise above circumstances. Her advocacy and commitment inspire us all.

Early life

Coonrod was born in Chattanooga, TN on December 30, 1974. She was the oldest of 4 siblings. Had parents who were lost to drugs. She was raised by her grandmother and took care for herself along with her siblings and later at 12yrs old, a baby girl 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.

She graduated from Chattanooga High School for Paideia and Performing Arts Phoenix 3 in 1993. Later she received her associates from Chattanooga State Community College and later continued to pursue and receive her bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of Tennessee Chattanooga.

With charges happening 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 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.

Career

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

As an author

Autobiography of Demetrus Coonrod's "From Prison to Purpose"

An inspiring memoir that chronicles her remarkable journey from a traumatic childhood to incarceration and, ultimately, redemption. City Councilwoman Coonrod’s life was marked by unimaginable hardships, oppression and violence: she endured abuse, became a mother at a young age, and faced the harsh realities of inner-city life in Chattanooga. Her resilience, faith, and determination led her from prison to a purposeful life.

Community involvement

• Vice Chair of Hamilton County Democratic Party

•       Hamilton County School Leadership Program
•       Chattanooga-Hamilton county NAACP
•       National Black Caucus
•       Order of Eastern Star Zia 31081
•       Tennessee Municipal League
•       A Step Ahead Contraceptive Access Advisory committee
•       Human Development Committee
•       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
•       Board member of Criminal Justice Reform Task Force
•       Leadership Tennessee 2023-2024 Signature Program Class X

Politics

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. She obtained the 25 signatures needed to qualify. In April of 2017, Coonrod defeated long-serving Republican Yusuf Hakeem.

Demetrus 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.

Positions

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 us. Demetrus is focused on the issues impacting Chattanoogans and all Tennesseans and bettering the lives of everyone of us. Demetrus is focused on the issues impacting Chattanoogans and all Tennesseans and bettering the lives of everyone.

Public Education

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. Demetrus 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

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.  Demetrus 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

It is time we foster a criminal justice system that is equitable, just, and focused on rehabilitation. Demetrus advocates for measures that address systemic issues, including sentencing reform, ending mass incarceration, and promoting alternatives to imprisonment for nonviolent offenses. Demetrus 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.

From an interview conducted by Shoutout Atlanta, Demetrus 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” (Shoutout Atlanta). 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” (Shoutout Atlanta).

References

Bibliography

• Book Summary/Review: https://www.chattanoogan.com/2022/1/25/442188/Book-Review-Demetrus-Coonrod-s.aspx

• UTC Digital Collections: Interview Audio (w/script) Oral history interview documenting the history of women in Chattanoogahttps://cdm16877.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16877coll21/id/62

• Chattanooga Government Site: Demetrus Coonrod, District 9 (chattanooga.gov) https://chattanooga.gov/city-council/council-members/demetrus-coonrod-district-9

• Article: Interview – Path from prison to city council https://earlylearningnation.com/2022/03/demetrus-coonrod-the-inspirational-path-from-prison-to-city-council/

• Article: The Transformation from Convict to Councilwomanhttps://www.governing.com/city-accelerator-blog/the-transformation-from-convict-to-councilwoman.html

• Channel 9 News - Congrats UTC grad- Former felon, current Chattanooga city councilwoman now a college graduate | WTVC: https://newschannel9.com/news/local/former-felon-current-chattanooga-city-councilwoman-now-a-college-graduate

• Shout Out Atlanta- nominated influencers - article : https://shoutoutatlanta.com/meet-demetrus-coonrod-city-councilwoman-social-influencer/

• Councilwoman Demetrus Coonrod 'excited' about Gov. Lee’s Criminal Justice Reform Act (chattnewschronicle.com)https://www.chattnewschronicle.com/featured/councilwoman-demetrus-coonrod-excited-about-gov-lees-criminal-justice-reform-act/

• Channel 9 News: National Equity Council - Chattanooga Councilwoman Coonrod appointed to National Equity Council | WTVC (newschannel9.com) https://newschannel9.com/news/local/chattanooga-councilwoman-coonrod-appointed-to-national-equity-council

• Leadership Tennessee Names Councilwoman Coonrod To Class X - Chattanoogan.comhttps://www.chattanoogan.com/2023/7/3/471388/Leadership-Tennessee-Names-Councilwoman.aspx

• Local 3 News: Council supports Coonrod- Council supports newly elected councilwoman with criminal past | | local3news.com https://www.local3news.com/council-supports-newly-elected-councilwoman-with-criminal-past/article_e049373c-1de6-575a-9826-dfdd0c5b50b4.html

• Chattanooga Times Free Press: Salary Donation to “First Things First” Chattanooga councilwoman’s $1,200 donation to First Things First will fund therapy for fathers | Chattanooga Times Free Press https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2023/jul/08/chattanooga-councilwomans-tfp/

• Demetrus Coonrod rises from convict to councilwoman | Chattanooga Times Free Press https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2017/may/02/demetrus-coonrod-convict-councilwoman/

• The Transformation from Convict to Councilwoman- The story of Demetrus Coonrod reinforces the efforts of Baltimore to engage citizens returning from incarceration. Article by former Mayor of Chattanooga-Ron Littlefield https://www.governing.com/city-accelerator-blog/the-transformation-from-convict-to-councilwoman.html

• News Channel 3: Demetrus Coonrod Announces Candidacy For State House District 28 Chattanoogan.com https://www.local3news.com/local-news/chattanooga-city-councilwoman-demetrus-coonrod-announces-run-for-tennessee-house-of-representatives/article_c31d1b82-83e0-11ee-b026-2b79f41c499c.html