Jevonte Porter’s vision for Shelby County is rooted in Community-Driven Leadership for a Safer, Healthier, More Equitable Shelby County—an approach urgently needed in 2025 and beyond. As Porter runs for District 12’s seat on the county commission, he pledges not only his proven energy and experience, but a platform grounded in the practical needs and hopes of every resident. At the heart of his campaign are four pillars: Education & Families, Healthcare Access, Safe Neighborhoods, and Economic Power. Here’s why these issues matter now more than ever, and how Porter intends to deliver meaningful change.

Shelby County at a Crossroads

Shelby County stands at a pivotal moment. Rising challenges—inequity in schools, mounting health disparities, threats to neighborhood safety, and barriers to economic mobility—have converged to demand bold, community-centered solutions. Jevonte Porter’s campaign is not driven by empty promises but by a commitment to progress, listening deeply to residents and responding with actionable ideas grounded in lived experience.

Education & Families: The Foundation of Thriving Communities

Porter’s first pillar is clear: Education is the cornerstone of opportunity. In 2025-26, Memphis-Shelby County’s $1.86 billion school budget represents a 7.5% drop from the previous year, even as the cost of ensuring safe facilities and updating infrastructure balloons. Education funding is an ongoing battle—federal dollars and property tax allocations have been volatile, and deferred maintenance threatens both student safety and learning environments.

Full funding for public schools isn’t a luxury—but a necessity for a county where almost 30% of expenditures go to education and where over $55 million in federal support was nearly lost this year. Porter connects these realities to his own leadership: advocating for early childhood programs, mentorship for underserved youth, and family support so every child can access a world-class education, regardless of zip code. Teacher retention, school safety upgrades, and equitable access for English learners are urgent local priorities Porter will fight for at the commission table.

Strong schools don’t just benefit students—they anchor families, impact property values, and shape the county’s economic future. By pushing for increased funding, more accountability, and innovative learning models, Porter makes clear that the future of Shelby County depends on the success of its schools and families.

Healthcare Access: Bridging Divides for a Healthier County

Second, Porter’s vision for healthcare speaks directly to countywide disparities. Shelby County’s clinics, mobile health units, and mental health services remain stretched thin as costs rise and insurance gaps persist. Many residents—especially in marginalized neighborhoods—still face impossible choices between paying bills and seeking care.

Porter understands these divides, having worked in community health advancement, and sees expanding access as central to real equity. He proposes investment in new clinics, integrated mental health outreach, and cross-agency partnerships to bring direct services closer to those who need them most. The pandemic exposed deep cracks in the county’s health infrastructure, and as emergency federal funding sunsets, the risk of losing specialized staff and critical programs grows.

Porter’s focus on mobile health units is forward-thinking: not only do they meet families where they are, they target gaps in chronic care and prevention. His stance on mental health is equally robust; in a year when violence and trauma continue to rise, community-based mental health must be woven into every major public initiative. Shelby County’s future depends on healthy, resilient neighborhoods—and Porter fights to ensure no resident will have to choose between their health and their bills.

Safe Neighborhoods: Making Safety a Right, Not a Privilege

Safety stands at the forefront of Porter’s campaign—not just as policing, but as a holistic investment in people and place. In recent years, youth violence spiked, public trust in law enforcement has wavered, and communities have called for creative solutions. Weak neighborhood infrastructure, aging housing, and lack of youth programming all intensify risk.

Porter’s platform goes beyond traditional responses. He embraces proven violence prevention models, community policing that builds trust, and neighborhood revitalization directed by local voices. Porter knows that safe streets also require robust after-school programs, trauma-informed care, and targeted investment in places overlooked by past budgets. When budgets are tight and funding shifts—like the $30 million cut in fire safety upgrades this year—Porter will hold decision-makers accountable and seek alternatives to keep every street and school safe.

Safe communities are the backbone of economic development. Businesses can’t grow, and families can’t prosper, if basic security isn’t guaranteed. Porter’s investments in youth empowerment and direct engagement, through partnerships with Memphis Allies and other local organizations, reflect actionable strategies—breaking cycles of violence and giving hope back to at-risk youth.

Economic Power: Opportunity for All

Finally, Porter’s fourth pillar—Economic Power—addresses one of Shelby County’s deepest divides. Creating pathways to living-wage jobs is essential for fighting poverty and expanding opportunity. The county’s history is marked by wage gaps, high poverty rates in urban neighborhoods, and persistent under-investment in Black-owned businesses. Porter’s platform recognizes that small businesses—especially minority-owned—fuel innovation and community stability.

Supporting entrepreneurs, connecting youth to training and mentorship, and advocating for workforce equity are Porter’s proven strategies. Policies that invest in local businesses, streamline access to capital, and foster fair hiring practices are vital for both immediate recovery from fiscal shocks and long-term generational change. Porter’s commitment to growing the county’s economic base isn’t just about numbers—it’s about building networks of support and empowering those left behind by traditional systems.

Opportunity, Porter says, should never be out of reach. His work with public agencies and nonprofits has equipped him to translate ideas into policies and to bridge gaps between residents, employers, and county leaders.

A Voice for the People

Jevonte Porter’s record makes clear he isn’t just a candidate—he’s a relentless advocate ready to stand up for every family, every neighborhood, and every future in Shelby County. By centering community-driven leadership, Porter brings lived experience and professional expertise to the commission, ensuring voices that have too often been ignored are now heard, respected, and acted upon.

He rejects politics as usual—he’s not running for headlines or promises, but for real progress. Porter for the People means standing up for what matters most: families, health, safety, and opportunity. District 12 deserves bold, responsive, and reliable leadership. Porter listens. Porter responds. Porter delivers.

Looking Ahead

Shelby County’s challenges won’t be solved overnight, but with leaders like Jevonte Porter—who combine vision, grit, and a willingness to confront hard truths—the path forward is clear. As schools, clinics, neighborhoods, and small businesses face cross-cutting pressures in the next decade, Porter’s four pillars offer pragmatic, compassionate solutions that meet these challenges head-on.

Residents of District 12, and the larger Shelby County community deserve a voice at the commission table that reflects their reality and dreams. Porter’s community-driven leadership is more than a platform: it’s a promise to shape a county where safety, health, education, and prosperity are the birthright of every neighbor.