MEET TOMMY
WHERE I COME FROM
As someone who was born and raised in Detroit, I have spent my whole life fighting to create opportunity for Detroiters as well as the people of Michigan. I'm a driven leader who has the experience to help lead Michigan State University into the future.
​
​I know that I can help restore trust in the board and be a true advocate for the people who learn and work at MSU. As an MSU alum, former legislator, and lifelong advocate for public education, I will fight to put the people of MSU first. I will use my voice to increase access to higher education at the university; provide the needed support to improve graduation rates; position the university as a top tier place to teach and work; and most importantly, ensure graduating students are on course for a fulfilling life trajectory.
EXPERIENCE THAT COUNTS
I have the breadth of experience needed to execute on all levels as a trustee, including:
​
-
Over 25 years of experience as an executive
-
Former state representative
-
Former board member of Detroit Public Schools
-
Co-led merger of DTE and MichCon customer service operations
-
Former manager of Detroit Urban League
-
Former Director of the Black Caucus Foundation of Michigan
-
Served as Michigan Political Director for the Hillary Clinton campaign
-
Directed Gov. Whitmer’s Coronavirus Racial Disparities Task Force
-
Currently co-leading Michigan’s response to the opioid crisis
ONE MISSION: OPPORTUNITY
Why I'm Running for MSU Trustee
Michigan State University provided experiences for me that have been central to my development as a public servant, a businessperson, a coalition builder, and a change agent. As a student activist focused on racial justice, I actually didn’t involve myself heavily in my academic life. Like many, I wasn’t motivated by to perform in the classroom. I was, however, extremely interested in exploring life and my place in the world. In hindsight, MSU provided a safe environment for that, and for my personal development at a time when I needed it.
MSU provided similar development opportunities for two of my four children, each of whom have gone on to be professionally successful, responsible citizens—and Democrats, by the way. One of my sons was diagnosed with ADHD at a relatively young age and had been kicked out of every school he ever attended; even the nuns at his Catholic pre-school apologetically asked that he not return. After a course of home study for high school, he graduated, went on to MSU, studied abroad at Cambridge University, and graduated with honors. He subsequently went to law school and is successfully practicing law in Chicago. His experience at MSU allowed him to leverage attributes previously treated as weaknesses as strengths.
​
This story illustrates the power of this university to affect people’s lives. I love the university for that reason, and so many more.
I’m running for Trustee because I want to contribute to the students of the future having the same opportunity as my children and I had to utilize the university as a launchpad for a fulfilling life.
I’m running for Trustee because I have a lifetime of experience facing adversity and dealing with complex issues, the result of which has enabled me to develop critical problem-solving skills that can be used to navigate current university challenges. My work as a problem solver and change agent includes
I’m running for Trustee because I believe in and fight for fair and principled Democratic values, including that,
> Public education is the tide that raises all boats
​
> Workers have the right to organize and collectively bargain
​
> Higher education ought to be available and affordable for all of our children and families
​
> Our schools must be safe places for children and staff to work and learn.
​
​
​
​
​
