Kesha Hamilton, JPS Board Trustee

10/19/2026

As I began my official term as a JPS Board Trustee on January 11th, 2021, I was fortunate to have some incredible individuals, both locally and beyond, who intentionally poured into me, offering wisdom, guidance, and encouragement.

But it was my community that helped shape how I would serve.

Having spent time hearing and truly listening to those I was elected to represent, I understood early on that being “Accessible, Accountable, and Transparent”, could not simply be my campaign commitments. They were to become practices.

I was intentional about creating opportunities to demonstrate each.

A few of those efforts included:

* Hosting Monthly Virtual Coffee Hours w, former board trustee and my high school English teacher, Libby Brown
* Making my email address and cell phone number readily available
* And perhaps most importantly, RESPONDING.

Six years later, one of the things I remain most proud of isn’t a policy passed, a vote cast, or a title held.

It’s being known as “THE” board member who listens, responds, advocates, and handles business.

Even today, community members continue to call, email, and message me. And every time someone says, “I knew you would get back to me,” I’m reminded of something I’ve believed throughout my time in public service:

Accessibility builds trust. Accountability sustains it. And transparency honors it.

Six years later, I’m grateful that my community continues to trust me enough to reach out.

That, to me, is the heart of being a , a title I’ve been honored to lean into as a JPS BoE Trustee.

10/18/2026

6 years ago I was elected to sit on the Jackson Public Schools Board of Education.

As my term is ending I’m reflecting on my growth, the lessons I’ve learned regarding governance and public administration, the incredible power of intentional relationship building and the transformational resulting community support.

I reflect on the hundreds of combined parents, students, staff, administration and community members who not only informed my campaign 6 years ago but also guided my policy decisions, advocacy, and voting patterns as I fully leaned into and embraced “those closest to the problem are closest to the solution but furthest from resources and power” (Glenn E. Martin).

06/24/2026

Excited to support and vote in favor of filling the recent vacant seat with JPSs own newly (May 2026) graduated Mr. Tyshon Gray to the JPS School Board of Education.

He may be the youngest person appointed to the JPS Board of Education.

Our willingness to guide, support and uplift our youth is vital to ensuring the arc of the moral universe bend toward justice… equity, belonging, truth…

Congratulations again, Mr. Gray!

06/10/2026

As I reflect on a couple of my leadership roles that are nearing their official end, I’m reminded of a shirt I had made and wore whenever I was out in the community:



I believe there is something in both my nature and my upbringing that has always drawn me toward affirming, uplifting, protecting, and serving others.

As I took on more leadership and governance responsibilities, I came to understand that being a means recognizing that it is never about me, my, or I—it is about us, our, and you.

That understanding required more than simply listening. It required believing what I heard. It required intentionally seeking people out, creating space for their voices, and trusting the wisdom and solutions they shared with me.

One of the compliments I am most honored to receive—and one I hear often—is that people feel welcomed, seen, and valued in my presence. Comments about my willingness to listen, my commitment to humanizing others, and the balance of humility and confidence I strive to bring to every space mean more to me than any title ever could.

The proof is in the relationships. The proof is in the trust. The proof is in the people.

I am still learning, still growing, and still refining what it means to be a , but I know this much:

People matter to me.

Human dignity matters to me.

And creating spaces where others feel heard, respected, and valued will always matter to me.

06/07/2026

📣📣

Update 06/16/2026:
The individual appointed to fill this vacancy will serve only until December.

To continue serving on the Board beyond that time, you would need to file and have your name placed on the November ballot. There will be three board positions on the ballot: two full-term seats and one partial-term seat.

Community Announcement

Open School Board Position – Jackson Public Schools
Jackson Public Schools announces a vacancy on the Board of Education due to the resignation of Cheryl Simonetti, effective June 3, 2026.
In accordance with Board Policy po0142.5, the Board must appoint a replacement within 30 days, no later than July 3, 2026. The appointment will be for a four and a half-year (4.5) term, ending December 31, 2030.

Qualifications to Serve as a School Board Member in Michigan
To be eligible for appointment, candidates must meet the State of Michigan requirements:
Be a U.S. citizen
Be at least 18 years of age
Be a resident of the Jackson Public Schools district
Be a registered voter in the district
Have no felony convictions involving dishonesty, deceit, fraud, or breach of public trust within the past 20 years
Not be currently employed by Jackson Public Schools

Application Process & Timeline
June 17, 2026 – Deadline to Apply
All interested individuals must submit a letter of interest with email address, phone number and an optional résumé by 4:00 p.m.
Please send materials to:
Sarah Ebersole
District Executive Assistant to the Superintendent
📧 [email protected]

June 23, 2026 – Candidate Interviews
The Board of Education will conduct interviews with selected eligible candidates.

June 23, 2026 – Candidate interviews
The Board of Education will conduct interviews with selected eligible candidates during the regularly scheduled public JPS School Board meeting on June 23, 2026. The meeting will begin promptly at 5:45 p.m. All candidates are expected to be present and prepared when their name is called for their interview. This is a public meeting, and community members are welcome to attend.

June 23, 2026 – June 30, 2026 Candidate Selection Board Deliberation
The Board of Education will deliberate candidate interviews and make formal appointment selection no later than June 30, 2026.
The selected candidate will be notified via email and phone.

July 28, 2026 – Seating of New Board Member
The newly appointed Board member will participate in their first regular meeting.

06/01/2026

A must read editorial co-authored by Drs Casandra Ulbrich and Michael Rice, on why Michigan should not opt in to the federal “Education Freedom Tax Credit Program.”

Earlier this month, the State Board of passed a resolution opposing state participation in the program. We believe that was the right call.

While framed as a tax credit, the proposal would function much like an education voucher by allowing taxpayers to donate to Scholarship Granting Organizations, which would then distribute funds to eligible students. That raises serious concerns about fairness, public school funding, accountability, legality, and implementation.

At a time when Michigan should be strengthening its public education system, policymakers should be cautious about programs that could divert resources, create inequities, and open the door to significant expansion with limited public oversight.

🔗 Link to the full editorial below 👇🏾:

05/22/2026

Grateful to have been invited to share how the WCJDF Training Department, under the direct and innovative leadership of Richard Gentry, Training Director and through the vision of Division Director Mack McGhee, MA, has shifted from simply being trauma aware to operating as trauma informed.

As a Community Champion trained to train on ACEs, having attended several MiACE conferences before - it was honor to be invited to share with the other two distinguished plenary panelists on the transformative work we are each doing in our respective spaces during the final session, “Context, Connection, and Care: Advancing ACE-Informed and Trauma - Informed Frameworks”.

I never get tired of sharing, developing, and implementing ways to support and advocate for our most valued resource - people.

05/15/2026

I’m excited to share that I’ve obtained my Master in Public Administration from Central Michigan University. I’m now Kesha R. Hamilton, MPA.

Reflecting on this journey, why this degree became grueling and feels like such a win - I’m not sure.

Maybe because this culminates 10 years of higher education for me.

Maybe because I began commuting for work 2.5 hours a day during the last year and a half of the program.

Maybe because this is the fourth degree.

Maybe because it was an appropriately challenging master program.

Whatever the reason, I’m grateful to have secured this impactful degree, grateful to have maintained excellence (I finished with a 3.7) and I’m grateful to be done.

I plan to rest for a few weeks/months - address some health issues that have been pushed to the side, travel and spend more time with my family.

Then I think I want to write a memoir. 😆

03/25/2026

The City of Jackson’s Racial Equity Commission is excited to invite you to our community listening session - where we encourage you to “Speak Up Jackson”!

Wednesday, April 22nd at 6:30pm @ Jackson Symphony Orchestra Hall. Doors open at 6:15.

This is a rare opportunity to let your voice and experience with city wide services be heard and have impact on the way Jackson moves forward.

“The change and improvements Jackson wants to see are found in our collective voice and those closest to the issue are most qualified to offer suggestions to address the issue. Show up Jackson, we need to hear from you.” ~ Kesha Hamilton, Chair of Racial Equity Commission

01/21/2026

‘Budgets are moral documents that reflect what you value.’ - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (loosely)

Let’s be clear, I’m a solid no on extra duty pay for admin for bond duties.

Don’t let them fool you - it matters where the money comes from. You cannot pay for bond responsibilities from the general fund. But bond dollars could pay for an outside org to oversee the bond projects.

These bond dollars cannot pay teachers, provide supplies or support programming (general fund dollars do this.)

The general fund are monies we collect from the public to support our district and have limited allowances for how they can be used.