Meet Shante Avant

Shante K. Avant is a dedicated leader committed to advancing economic security and well-being for women and families in the Greater Memphis area. As President and CEO of the Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis (WFGM) since 2007, she has directed efforts awarding over $37 million to 632 programs across 185 Memphis-based nonprofits. A native Memphian with 27 years in the nonprofit sector, Avant made history in 2022 as the first Black woman elected to a newly formed district of the Shelby County Commission, representing District 5, where she currently serves as Chairwoman. She also served on the Memphis-Shelby County School Board from 2014 to 2022, including a term as Chair.

Beyond WFGM, Avant serves on various civic and advisory boards, including the Shelby Farms Park Conservancy, America's Most Admired Nonprofit Cultures Board of Governors, and the New Memphis Board of Governors. She is a member of the Shelby County (TN) Chapter of the Links Incorporated, the Women's Funding Network, and a Ford Foundation Fellow. Her leadership has earned numerous honors including Memphis Business Journal's Power 100 (2023, 2024 & 2025), Superwoman in Business (2023), and the Tennessee State Democratic Caucus History Maker Award. She holds a BA in Psychology and an MS in Social Work from the University of Tennessee. A proud mother, she continues to drive meaningful change through philanthropy, leadership, and collaboration.

Campaign Priorities

  • Shante is committed to responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars — keeping the county budget balanced, prioritizing efficient spending, and ensuring residents have full visibility into how their money is used.

  • Shante is focused on growing Shelby County's tax base by attracting investment, creating better-paying jobs, and supporting the local and small businesses that are the backbone of our communities.

  • From the Keep Cordova Clean initiative to cross-agency partnerships addressing public safety, Shante believes every neighborhood deserves to be safe, clean, and supported by responsive local leadership.

  • Shante secured funding for the East Region School and has championed Pre-K expansion to 7,200 seats. She will continue fighting for capital investment in modern schools and early childhood education.