CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE

Shonta Ford has announced her candidacy for school director in the East Penn School District.

“I have resided in the Lehigh Valley for the past 23 years. I am a New Jersey native who graduated from Rutgers University with a Speech Language and Hearing Sciences degree.

“I have had a beneficial career working in health care. My last corporate role was as a project manager for a Fortune 500 company. I believe in fiscal responsibility and pride myself on being a problem solver. I have raised my two children in Pennsylvania and my youngest spent her entire educational experience in the East Penn School District.

“I have a passion for community. I actively volunteer locally in many capacities through my church, where I am a licensed minister. I serve as a local outreach coordinator where I work with local nonprofit organizations supporting food pantries, displaced families and school district benevolent programs.

“I have a deep appreciation for public school systems and credit my guidance counselor with helping me get into college and securing a four-year scholarship. I also mentor women and students in several capacities.

“I am a hard worker, evidenced by my current role as the owner of Indigo Blooms Co.

“I am now seeking to harness all of my education, business acumen and people skills to take part in this move forward into a bright future for the East Penn School District. I am ready for a seat at the table and like any good dinner guest, I don’t come empty-handed. I am approaching this opportunity with energy, integrity and vision.”