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. Councilman Ford 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. At the age of 22, he was accepted into Vanderbilt University's doctoral program at 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 Educational Administration and Supervision having received an Educational Specialist degree in the same field. He expects to graduate August 2009.
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 200 students, parents and others have attended these sessions. Last year, Mr. Ford and his students performed in the 84th percentile statewide on the Algebra 1 Gateway exam.
Mr. Ford is a member of the Bluebird Park Estates Neighborhood Association, the McCorkle Road Neighborhood Association, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Golden Key National Honor Society, 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), Memphis Education Association, 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