District 7
Towanna Murphy is a multi-hyphenated talent, life-long community activist, and passionate educator for 15 years. Her career has taken her worldwide, yet she has called Memphis her home for 19 years. Towanna taught at Anthem Career College for eight years, Vatterott College as a temporary instructor for one year, and National College for two years. Towanna also taught as a dance instructor at Elm Elementary School in Milwaukee, WI, Young Leaders Academy in Milwaukee, WI, and NAACP.
Since being in Memphis, Towanna has founded #Project Let Read, the “Free the First” Movement, and became the founder/CEO of WDEM Radio 98.5FM. Towanna is a Stellar Award Nominee, a Stone Award Honoree, and a Mtenzi Award Recipient. She is also a member of the National Head Start Association. From 2019-2020, she served as Policy Council President, overseeing a 24-million-dollar budget for Porter Leath and Shelby County Schools.
Teaching children is her passion. An 18-year journey of navigating the MSCS system fueled her passion for helping children like hers with special needs. She is now ready to take action for all of the children of the Shelby County School District - 7. Towanna will focus on 1) School Safety, 2) Special Education and Exceptional Learners, 3) Student Preparedness, and 4) Service Partnerships.
