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Tami Sawyer, a former Shelby County Commissioner, is a prominent figure in the realm of civil rights activism. Holding a master's degree in rhetorical communication and currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Urban Affairs and Public Policy, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her advocacy work. In addition to serving as a county commissioner, Tami has held senior leadership positions within noteworthy organizations such as the US Navy, Teach For America, Black Voters Matter, and Amazon.
In 2017, Tami made significant strides as the founder of #TakeEmDown901, a highly successful movement dedicated to the removal of Confederate statues from the city of Memphis. Her impactful contributions to the cause garnered her recognition in the acclaimed Netflix documentary, "Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America," in collaboration with Jeff Robinson.
Tami's insightful commentary has graced the pages and screens of various media outlets, including Al Jazeera, CNN, Essence, Forbes, Huffington Post, MLK50, MSNBC, NPR, Roland Martin, and Time. She has also taken the stage as a TEDx speaker, sharing her expertise and passion with diverse audiences.
Acknowledged for her outstanding public service, Tami received the esteemed title of Young Elected Official of the Year in 2022 from People For the American Way and earned a well-deserved spot on the Reckon South List. Her remarkable contributions were further underscored in 2018 when she was included on the Ebony Power 100 List.
Tami's commitment to her community extends beyond her activism. She serves as a board member of TONE, a prominent Black art community collective in Memphis, and is a dedicated member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Additionally, she co-founded the George Floyd Legal Defense Fund of the NAACP Memphis, further illustrating her dedication to the fight for justice.
In her personal life, Tami finds solace in the company of her beloved cat and two nieces. Her interests span from appreciating good music to delving into the world of dystopian literature, and she enjoys the creative challenge of building intricate LEGO architecture sets. Tami Sawyer embodies a dynamic blend of activism, scholarship, business leadership, and community engagement.
Accomplishments
- Currently pursuing her Doctorate in Urban Affairs & Public Policy
- Former Shelby County Commissioner, Shelby County Board of Commissioners, District 7 (September 2018 – August 2022)
- Youngest Woman & Youngest Black Person to be elected at the time of election
- Founder of the Shelby County Commission Black Caucus
- Founder of Take Em’ Down 901 - Campaign to Remove Confederate Statues from Memphis
Honors & Awards
- Girls, Inc. of Memphis, BOLD Woman of the Year, Awardee, 2023
- Memphis Power List 2023
- People for American Way, Barbara Jordan Young Elected Official of the Year, Awardee, 2022
- National Association of Social Workers, Public Servant of the Year, Awardee, 2022
- Reckon Magazine Southerners of the Year List, 2022
- Memphis Magazine Who’s Who of Memphis, 2020
- Memphis Business Journal Power 100 List, 2019\
- NAACP Memphis Branch President’s Award, 2019
- Ebony Magazine Power 100 List, 2018
- Memphis Business Journal, Top 40 Under 40, Awardee, 2018
- The Tennessean 18 Tennesseans to Watch in 2018
Community Leadership
- TONE Memphis Board, 2023 - Present
- Common Cause, National Governing Board, Member, 2021 – 2023
- NAACP Memphis, George Floyd Legal Defense Fund, Co-Founder / Co-Chair, 2020 – 2022
- #TakeEmDown901 Grassroots Movement, Founder / Leader, 2017 – 2022
- Black Alumnae Board, St. Mary’s Episcopal School, Founder / Member, 2015 – Present
- PolicyLink, Cities & Counties for Fines & Fees Justice Fellow, 2020 – 2021
- Planned Parenthood of Greater Memphis Region, Governance Board Chair, 2016 – 2019