Meet Atlanta Public Schools District 2 School Board Candidate Byron Amos

Byron Amos, a community organizer and CEO of Capacity Builders in Vine City, is one of two candidates in a runoff for the District 2 Atlanta School Board Seat. Voters will cast ballots on Tues., Dec. 6.

Amos, a graduate of Washington High School who also has worked in the hip-hop music industry, came in second in a field of five with 24 percent. Brown finished in the lead with 38 percent of the vote. 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 Amos recently to ask him a few questions about the race.

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

Amos: Our campaign was able to deliver our message of fiscal responsibility, increase parental involvement and over hauling the curriculum to properly education our youth and just not to teach them how to take a test. We need a curriculum that is inclusive of math, reading, writing, science, and the arts. The voters clearly see that we need change in our school system.

Cascade Patch: How do you plan to campaign?

Amos: We plan to go door to door and to keep delivering our message. GOTV (get out the vote) in the name of the game, we must make sure that my base returns back to the poll on Dec. 6.

Earlier this year Amos came under fire after media releases of several Youtube videos showing Amos promoting rappers and referring to them as "my n*gger." In a statement published in the Atlanta Progressive News on Sept. 16, his campaign said "his association and connection to the music industry should not deter voters or the education arena tosupport him in his endeavor to make positive change within the community."

Amos' campaign headquarters is at 2001 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.

Tomorrow: Meet District 2 School Board Candidate Angela Brown.