The Memphis-Shelby County school board voted unanimously to appoint Richmond as the full-time superintendent after his temporary contract expires at the end of July. That came after a split board argued over whether a full superintendent search was feasible and necessary for transparency, or whether immediate stability was the most important factor.

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“There’s a crisis of inconsistency here,” said board member Amber Huett-Garcia, who voted to appoint Richmond. “We have four colleagues here who had rooms full of people begging you not to make a decision last January. But the community voice didn’t matter back then.”

​District 13 sprawls across a generous section of Midtown and Northeast Memphis, and includes such neighborhoods as Central Gardens, Chickasaw Gardens, High Point Terrace, and Binghampton.

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One announced candidate so far is Amber Huett-Garcia, a member of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board, the composition of which recently became a cause célèbre on the commission, which voted in favor of conflating the board’s previously staggered terms in 2026, largely over the hot-button controversy of ex-Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) Superintendent Marie Feagins’ firing.  

Board member Amber Huett-Garcia said multiple high school teachers told her that students “have just stopped showing up.”

"I appreciate this being put together. I appreciate the community's advocacy," board member Amber Huett-Garcia said. " I think more pointedly, children and families are disappearing and I'm not OK with it... There are some things we sit up here and we have to muster political courage to say yes and advocate for it... for me this is (it)." 

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Huett-Garcia recently announced her candidacy for Shelby County Commission District 13 seat, which will be vacated by Commissioner Michael Whaley in the spring due to term limits.

Amber Huett-Garcia

Board member; founder & owner, Memphis-Shelby County Schools; Amber Huett-Garcia Consulting

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What was the moment you knew what you wanted to do and who you wanted to be?

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I’ve always looked at my career as an opportunity to solve problems and change systems, which makes me journey- versus destination-oriented. For me, contributing toward incredible education and health care systems brings me alive.

The consequences of dismissing Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Feagins may have unintended consequences that won’t serve the district’s 110,000 students, board member Amber Huett-Garcia says.

I’ve lost 245 pounds, and I still live with obesity. When I say this to rooms of medical professionals, policymakers, and other advocates, I am often met with surprise. As a women’s size 6, my story unravels the familiar narrative of “eat less and move more” being the only approach.

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Obesity is a complex, chronic disease that often relapses. Weight is a symptom of obesity, and how I look is merely a reflection of comprehensive care from my medical team and my lifestyle. The culture of diets, “before and after” magazine covers and bias harms our health. After telling my story to thousands worldwide, I know we must fight to be taken seriously and take action. 

Meet Amber Huett-Garcia, a dedicated advocate for obesity care with a passion that spans decades. Amber’s personal experience with obesity has driven her to champion understanding and support for those facing similar challenges. She has held significant leadership roles within the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), including former Chair of the Board of Directors, and inspires all of us to unite our voices and fight for positive change. One of her current projects as an active volunteer is overseeing the OAC’s , which makes it possible for individuals in need to access the high-quality education and uniquely supportive community offered by the Conference each year since 2012.

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Amber’s story speaks to the power of advocacy and the impact of one person’s dedication. Join us as we dive into her inspiring journey and learn about her motivation to make a difference.

Most of the Memphis community knows me in one of three capacities: education, politics, or my patient advocacy work in health. I moved to the city a decade ago after joining Teach For America (TFA). I rented an apartment without having set foot in the city. I was working at the Illinois Governor’s Office of Management and Budget managing over $13 billion in K-12 education funding and had this overwhelming feeling that the order of operations on my understanding of education needed to change.

Running! is a Teen Vogue series about getting involved in government. In this op-ed, Amber Huett-Garcia, candidate for Tennessee’s House of Representatives, District 86, and director of development with Teach For America - Memphis, explains the role bias has played in her identity and the leadership role she aspires to take.

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I used to weigh almost 400 pounds. Being big shaped my worldview, and it’s one of the reasons I’m now running for the Tennessee House of Representatives.