Meet Demetrus Coonrod | City Councilwoman & Social Influencer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Demetrus Coonrod and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Demetrus, how do you think about risk?

Risk-taking is not all determinate to success, but it is an important influencer when utilized strategically. Our traditional way of thinking about risk is inadequate. We should become better at taking risks rather than trying to avoid failure. One has to make a conscious effort to remember that risk-taking leads to positive outcomes.

Taking risk have presented me with new career opportunities, new perspectives and opened the door to new possibilities.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I empower people to take control of their lives. I’m an overcomer. That sets me apart from others. What excites me the most is the ability to impact lives that alleviate generational poverty. Once I transitioned back into society after serving time in Federal Prison there were barriers in place that for sure would have routed me back inside those walls. I advocated for changes in policies/laws to be changed with housing requirements, fair sentencing, voting right restoration, disability to firearms, expungement fee reduced, and more. It wasn’t easy. I had to exclude a lot of people from my life. That included family and friends. Understanding that my environment was a breeding ground for criminal activity, I went to the streets to change that narrative for others, showing them a better path. I ran for the city council and won. I am now serving my second term. What I have learned is that Government is not the fix for our communities. We have limited our power of self. The hardest lesson is that the determinants of health have become political. Socio-economic status determines the value that’s placed on a community and the people that are served. I want people to know that no matter your obstacles in life you can achieve whatever you put your mind to accomplishing. You first must believe in yourself, manifest your vision of your greater self. Do not allow your past to stay your future.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If you are in the Chattanooga area visit The Peach Factory on MLK, Davis Waynes for an intimate dinner, Catch Jazz night at Chattanooga Cigar Bar, crawfish cakes at six18, if you love Karaoke stop by Major Paper, before you return home enjoy a great book from Allgood’s used books on coffee shop on Glass Street

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
So many have contributed to the path of my success. My children! My why to persevere. Tajuana Mitchell and Spencer Horton (Two foster care social workers) fought for me in a system that had given up on me. My grandmother Mamie Coonrod prayed for me. Lastly, my uncle Vongo Coonrod stood in the gap as my father.

Website: www.demetruscoonrod.com

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Linkedin: Demetrus Coonrod

Twitter: @DemetrusCoonrod

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Image Credits
Darius Jenkins design