Raumesh Akbari

Raumesh Akbari (ruh-MESH ack-BERRY) is an American politician and member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for the 91st district, which encompasses part of Shelby County.^[1] She currently serves as a member of the Criminal Justice Committee, Education-Administration and Planning Committee, and the Criminal Justice Subcommittee.^[2] She is a member of the Democratic Party.

Akbari was first elected on November 21, 2013, during a special election to fill the seat which was left vacant by the death of Representative Lois DeBerry.^[3]

Biography

Akbari, who has a twin sister named Raumina, is the daughter of two trichologists.^[4] Akbari is a 2002 graduate of Cordova High School in Memphis, TN. She attended Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri where she graduated in 2006 with a BA in African American studies and a minor in political science. In 2009 Akbari received her Juris Doctorate from St. Louis University School of Law. She currently handles legal affairs and human resources for Akbari Corp—a small business founded by her parents in 1981.^[5]

Akbari is a member of the American Bar Association, Ben F. Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association, Memphis Bar Association, Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity, NAACP, Memphis Urban League Young Professionals and the Democratic Party of Shelby County. She also actively volunteers with Meals on Wheels through the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association and is a member of the Memphis "Voter Registration and Community Organization, Inc.^[6]"

Akbari worships at New Hope Baptist Church.^[7]

In 2015, Akbari was elected by her peers to serve Tennessee as the state co-director of Women in Government, a national non-profit, non-partisan organization of female state legislators.^[8] In 2017 selected by the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators to serve as that organization's^[9] Chair. Akbari currently serves as the Treasurer of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, the Financial Secretary of the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women, and as a co-chair of the Interbranch Affairs Committee for the Council of State Government.

Public Service

In early 2014, Shelby County Schools announced a plan to close 13 campuses in southwest and northwest Memphis, including Alcy Elementary.^[10] A "Save-Alcy" group was formed by Akbari and other parent and community volunteers with the goal of keeping Alcy Elementary open. After a month of negations, the board reversed its decision to close the Alcy campus citing the more than 60 community leaders who stepped-up and committed to volunteer at least three hours at the elementary school each week. For her efforts, Akbari was hailed as a "champion of a school rarely in the limelight.^[11]"

Akbari has also worked to restore historic local grave sites, including those at Mount Caramel and Hollywood cemeteries which were previously inaccessible due to overgrowth.^[12]

Legislation

Following a 2014 incident at the Galilee Cemetery in Memphis, Akbari sponsored legislation to streamline burial practices, allowing families to know where a loved one is buried.^[13]

Akbari has advocated for the expansion of Tennessee's Medicaid program, as well as a state-level law that would ensure women receive equal pay for equal work.^[14]

Honors & Awards

• "Paul Robeson Leadership Award" from Washington University^[15]
• "2014 20 Under 30" list by the Memphis Flyer ^[16]
• "Spark Award" from N.O.B.E.L. (National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women)^[17]
• "Rising State Leaders Program" international participant, selected by the Consul-General of the Embassy of Canada^[18]
• "Emerging Leaders Program" participant, selected by the State Legislative Leaders Foundation,^[19]

Electoral History

References

External links

• Website