Meet Atlanta Public Schools District 2 School Board Candidate Angela Brown

Angela Brown, a community organizer and Historic West End resident, is one of two candidates in a run-off race for the District 2 Atlanta School Board Seat. Voters will cast ballots on Tues., Dec. 6.

In a race for the seat earlier this month, Brown finished in the lead with 38 percent of the vote. She was followed by her run-off opponent Byron Amos, who garnered 24 percent. Dwanda Farmer placed third, with 19 percent; Michael Jeter came in fourth, with 12 percent; and Donald Walker finished with 6 percent of all votes cast.

Cascade Patch caught up with Brown recently to ask her a few questions about the race.

Cascade Patch: To what do you attribute your making it the runoff?

Brown: My team and I work very well together and, as such, planned every step of our campaign strategy as a team.  We were very methodical about reaching out to voters through multiple touches – email, personal phone calls, meet-and-greet events, and yard signs.  But the most enjoyable, and I think, effective strategy, was knocking on doors and meeting voters face-to-face.  I think that the voters that I met believed that I’m very serious about serving Atlanta on the Board of Education, and I don’t intend on using this as a stepping stone for a lifelong political career.  Lastly, I did not underestimate our voters.  They are critical thinkers and want to restore a sense of integrity and character to the School Board.

Cascade Patch: How do you plan to campaign?

Brown: We plan to do more of the same as in the initial phase of the campaign.  It’s also wonderful that I’ve been invited to participate in many local events and interviews.

Opponents of Brown have suggested she does not know enough about current issues facing the district because of her recent work from 2007 to 2009 as executive director of the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute in Selma, Ala. But Brown—who still serves as a co-pastor of the Northern Heights Presbyterian Church in Selma—describes herself on her website as a "longtime resident" of the West End has proven residency in the city for more than a year.

Brown's campaign site is ElectAngelaBrown.com.