Meet Dr. Monty Witherspoon
A Charlotte native, Dr. Monty Witherspoon is running to help transform Mecklenburg County through policy work on the school board. As a School Board Member, Dr. Witherspoon will work to ensure that all students in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools graduate college or career ready with a quality education in a safe learning environment regardless of their ZIP Code.
It all started when…
Dr. Monty Witherspoon heard about the current disparities in Mecklenburg County’s school district. Unfortunately, a child’s zip code in Mecklenburg County often determines the quality of education he/she will receive. This devastating conclusion caused Monty to reflect on his own experience through Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. He was the only one of his close peers to graduate from high school and further his education. Out of that reflection birthed the #Witherspoon4Students movement.
A husband, father, family man, pastor of Steele Creeke AME Zion Church, member of the Black Political Caucus, and proud brother of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, Dr. Witherspoon is a man in sync with the Charlotte community. Following his graduation from Olympic High School, he attended Livingstone College where he became the Student Body President and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies. He received a Master of Divinity from Morehouse College at Interdenominational Theological Center, where he developed several community programs in the greater Atlanta area, while also serving as the president of the Student Christian League. Due to his achievements in Atlanta, he received Congressional Recognition for Outstanding Community Service by Congressman John Lewis. Monty went on to earn a Doctorate Degree from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey.
An education reform advocate and avid participant in policy conversations that concern education, Dr. Witherspoon is running for the District 2 seat on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education because he believes that all students in CMS should graduate college or career ready with a quality education in a safe learning environment regardless of their ZIP Code. He believes this can be achieved by having constructive community-guided conversations that bring people together, so they may learn and respect each other. This helps to create pluralist policy that a diverse community of stakeholders can support and hold near to their heart. Dr. Witherspoon is seeking belief, hope, and faith from voters in the Mecklenburg community that know our county can be a place where everyone can succeed no matter who they are.
Questions: email us at witherspoon4students@gmail.com