Updated: Jul 14
DECATUR, GA (June 22, 2021) Today, Dr. Carmen Sulton announced her desire to serve on the Board of Education for City Schools of Decatur (CSD). Dr. Sulton resides in Winonna Park, and is an official candidate for the District 2 (Post A) seat during the November 2, 2021, local election.
For the past several years, the City Schools of Decatur has grappled with very serious issues, including racism in our schools, lack of transparency in how District leadership governs, creativity in learning, teacher resources, and budget concerns, to name a few.
When asked about these issues, Dr. Sulton stated, “In the past year, there have been multiple incidents in this District that have entered the public conversation, ranging from a viral racist video, to mismanagement of the reopening of school plans, to poor oversight of the Superintendent role. More importantly, we have all been distracted from our greatest priority: our students. The City of Decatur has the privilege of educating and guiding some of the finest young minds in Georgia, and these students deserve leadership that puts their needs first.”
Dr. Sulton is a Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physician at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where she also serves as the Medical Director for Procedural Sedation on the Egleston Campus. She earned her Medical Doctorate from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Emory University.
Dr. Sulton grew up in Decatur and attended Chamblee Charter High School. “My family has called Atlanta and Dekalb County home for generations now,” said Dr. Sulton. “I love this community and have been invested here in some capacity my entire life. I am so proud to raise my family here. I believe our schools are capable of providing the best possible educational experience for all of our students, as long as the right leadership is in place to help them achieve that goal.”
Together with her husband Dr. Okera Hanshaw, they have three daughters enrolled in City of Decatur schools. As a parent in CSD, Dr. Sulton served on the Decatur High PTA and organized its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Additionally, she served as a parent volunteer at Winnona Park and as a Spirit Wear volunteer for the Decatur Bulldog Boosters. As an active member of the Beacon Hill Black Alliance, she serves on the Education Committee. She is particularly proud to be a founding member and the current Chair of the City Schools of Decatur Black Parents Alliance (CSDBPA), Inc. CSDBPA is a non-profit organization that provides a safe space for parents of Black or African American children to share issues, concerns, highlight ideas, and formulate action plans regarding keeping CSD administration, school board and faculty responsible and accountable to the health, safety and success of their children.
“I am running for School Board because I am a concerned parent and civic leader,” Dr. Sulton said. “As a long-term resident of the City of Decatur, I stand for equitable and innovative approaches to learning that are student-centered. As your new Board Member, I will listen to community concerns and provide the accountability and transparency that we deserve.”
CONTACT
hello@carmenforcsdboard.com
(470) 219-8078
www.carmenforcsdboard.com
No Responses