Denisha Potts

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Denisha Potts

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2019

Education

Bachelor's

Winston-Salem University

Graduate

Strayer University

Personal

Religion

Christian

Profession

Policy Review Specialist

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign X

Denisha Potts ran for election to the Chesterfield County Public Schools to represent Matoaca District in Virginia. She lost in the general election on November 5, 2019.

Potts completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Potts obtained an undergraduate degree from Winston-Salem University and a graduate degree from Strayer University. She is a policy review specialist.

Elections

2019

See also: Chesterfield County Public Schools, Virginia, elections (2019)

General election

General election for Chesterfield County Public Schools, Matoaca District

Ryan Harter defeated Denisha Potts in the general election for Chesterfield County Public Schools, Matoaca District on November 5, 2019.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ryan Harter (Nonpartisan)	61.1	16,442
		Denisha Potts (Nonpartisan)	38.7	10,403
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2	50

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 26,895
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Potts was endorsed by:

• The Southside Area Democratic Women and Associates Club (SADWAC)
• Virginia Democratic Women's Caucus
• Farm Bureau, Chesterfield
• Richmond Association of Realtors
• Chesterfield County Democrats

Campaign themes

2019

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Denisha Potts completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Potts' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

A North Carolina native, I have been a resident of Chesterfield Matoaca district for 10 years. I hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Winston-Salem State University and Master of Healthcare Administration from Strayer University. I have been dedicated to ensuring that persons receive quality healthcare while managing Developmental Disability programs in North Carolina and Virginia. I have government experience formerly serving as a supervisor at Piedmont Geriatric Hospital and Project Analyst at the Department of Medical Assistance Services. I am currently employed by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services as a Policy Review Specialist.

I am serving a 3nd term on the Chesterfield County Equity Committee this year. I am the former Vice President and Education Chair of the Chesterfield Branch NAACP. On August 30, 2019, I was sworn in as a Richmond Court Appointed Advocate. Serving in these capacities have allowed me to become aware of the educational disparities affecting minority and special education students, families, teachers, and support staff. I will continue building relationships amongst community leaders as a means to enhance process improvements.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I will represent our growing diverse populations by adding minority presence and maximize the power of our community and resources so that every child receives the same opportunities to succeed.
• Having experience in government regulatory agencies, I will work to serve our school district with the highest level of integrity, accountability, and transparency.
• I am interested & committed to the people, not the politics.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am most passionate about criminal justice, education, environment, and health care public policies. All of the areas relate to the health and human services field which I have served for many years in various capacities. Advocating in these areas make me relatable to different people from various socioeconomic backgrounds which is an asset to any board. I will continue to be that voice to ensure children are not wrongfully charged for childlike behaviors demonstrated in the classrooms, yet ensure they are properly educated in a clean and safe environment. Making sure our teachers have access to adequate medical insurance to avoid excessive medical bills. I'm prepared and ready to do what's necessary to improve the quality of life for our community.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to both my mother and father. They've been the best Christian role models my entire life. I'm appreciated of my Christian upbringing especially in the world we live in today. They taught me the importance of faith, prayer, and obedience. I value their prayers, sacrificies, and unconditional love shown through the years which has kept me.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I hold a convction that public education is important. I am committed to public involvement, have the ability to make decisions, and belive in the democratic process. I have the courage to stand during the times of adversity. I will devote the necessary time and energy to school board. Demonstrated abilty to commincate with our students, families, faculty, and local/state officials on their level. I have a genuine desire to do what's right and willing to go the extra mile for those in need. I will serve with honesty, integrity, and respect as a board member in our community.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Participating in the Million Woman March held on October 25, 1997 in Pennslyvania. I was a 21-year old college student at the time. There were apporoximately 500,000 people on Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Family unity and what it means to be an African American woman in America was the theme. 22 years later I recognize how relevant and impactful that march is today looking back at the atrocities Black women continue to face today. Living that experience was my first civil rights encounter that strenghten my advocacy without realizing at the time. As of 2019, I continue to march with children, women, causes, and groups/organizations across the country for CHANGE.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Before I Let Go by Beyonce

What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?

As a school board member, I feel my primary role is to govern the local school district and establishing policies that affect students and the school. The school board sets the vision and goals for the school district, and holds the district accountable for results. We are reposive to the values, beliefs, and priorities of the community.

Who are your constituents?

My constituents are the people I am elected to represent. In this case, the Matoaca district would be considered my constituents.

How would you support the diverse needs of your district’s students, faculty, staff, and community?

Encourage in-school time & materials for assigned work requiring a computer. Work with our schools to make parent involvement affordable and convenient by providing transportation, on-site childcare, and time flexibility. Offer students from poverty access to the same high-level curricular. Continue advocating to get our students in gifted & talented programs. Mandate diversity training for all teachers and administration as part of professional development requirement.

How might you support the mental health needs of students/faculty/staff?

Provide teachers with the appropriate tools to identify how to intervene early and appropriately when there are problems. I will propose hiring and funding licensed counselors in every school K-12 to address the growing number of bullying, mental health, and substance abuse cases. Allocate funding for behavioral support specialist in classrooms where needed. Utiliize local and state agency mental health deapartment to provide ongoing training to families and staff. For teachers, encourage mentoring, access to EAP, and ensure insurance carrier provides adequate mental health coverage.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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