Demetrus Coonrod

Demetrus Coonrod (born December 30, 1974) is a former felon who became a councilwoman in District 9 in Chattanooga, Tennessee after her voting rights were restored.
Early Life
Demetrus Conrad of Chattanooga City Council District 9 was born in Chattanooga Tennessee December 30, 1974. Coonrod is the oldest of 4 siblings. Coonrod gave birth to her first daughter at the age of 12. By the age of 16 Coonrod was working, going to school, caring for her daughter, siblings and taking care of her parents. In 2003 Coonrod was sentenced to 7 years in prison for conspiracy to commit armed robbery. Whilst in prison she was sexually assaulted by a corrections officer and as a result had her sentence reduced by nearly 2 years.
Education
Coonrod graduated from Chattanooga High School class of 1993. Coonrod received her Associates Degree from Chattanooga State Community College in 2012 and became a first in her family to become a college graduate from The Univeristy of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2015 with a degree in Sociology.
Community and Political Background
Demetrus Coonrod was appointed as chair of the Council’s Youth and Family Development Committee for 2019-2020.
In 2017 Coonrod came in the race as an underdog as she came ahead of Yusef Hakeem earning her spot as a Councilwoman.
Coonrod has served as vice chair of Hamilton County Democratic Party, President of Eastdale Neighborhood Association, served the board of The Sports Barn, Community Development Block Grant, and Causeway. She campaigns so that convicted felons can have their voting rights restored as part of the Ban the Box movement. Coonrod is one of 11 people to have had their voting rights restored between 2014-2017 after being convicted of felony.
Employment Background
Demetrus Coonrod worked as a T mobile Employee during the weeks while running for Councilwoman, and has become a franchise owner.
In September 2018 she was involved in what was described as a "shouting match" with some constituants during which local activistes disrupted the meeting and accused the police of violence and the council of turning a blind eye to it. During the dispute Coonrod accused certain members of the inner-city community of "being complacent and lazy," and said they should "stop depending on these systems." She later apologised for her remarks but along with another council member stated that disruptive behaviour during council meetings would not be tolerated in the future.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu