If State Board of Education Member Staci Childs had a blow horn that could reach girls across the country, she would yell “girl please, stop psyching yourself out.” If she had let her own limited thinking of herself take ahold, she would not have been able to build the career she has today.
Staci was raised in Southwest Atlanta surrounded by strong black women. Their stories of living through the Civil Rights Movement highlighted the plight of Black Americans, a theme that would become the undertone of her entire life. Staci was not necessarily shy growing up, but she says she was not the most talkative either. When you meet Staci, you would never think this was the case. She is personable, to the point, and even when she’s serious, her voice carries a levity that is inspiring. Her high school civics teacher recognized this too, pushing Staci to run for Student Body President. Though she did not have the confidence at first, she decided the next year she would. Not only did she win Student Body President, she was also the Drum Major of the school’s band.
When John Lewis told her she was “the future” at her student body inauguration, she thought it was “cool.” It was not until she was older that she realized this was a pivotal moment in her life. Staci says that running for office was originally an extension of what other people wanted her to do, not necessarily herself. In addition to being a lawyer and an SBOE member, she is also a rapper. While she admires artists who discuss themes of social justice in their music, she feels like there is no blueprint for empowering people in politics through her music. Where she sees herself being able to make an impact in elected leadership, Staci is forging her own path with her musical justice.
The biggest issue Staci thinks her district, her community, and the nation is facing is a lack of understanding in their individual power. She says, and maybe it is due to the way American democracy has marginalized certain groups, that people do not understand that they do not need to look to a leader for change, they can do it themselves. Because there is a lack of knowledge of this power, people do not know how to utilize it. People are mad at certain people in power, without realizing they can do something themselves. She says, “we can sit and be mad and use our trigger fingers online,” but unless the people are galvanizing their leaders, change will not come.
Seeing the way that men made laws that affect women has made Staci extremely passionate about getting women to run for office and pursue their dreams. She says women from all races have contacted her through all different social channels asking her how she got to where she is because they are scared to start. She even said one girl “thanked her for flipping her hair and chewing her gum a certain way.” Staci makes a point to connect with girls and women who are interested in making a change.
Staci is a graduate of Hampton University, Georgia State University, and Thurgood Marshall School of Law. She has been a staffer at the White House for the Domestic Policy Council’s Education Team, she owns her own law firm— Sunnyside Legal, has taught fourth and fifth grade, has published a children’s book, and even has a docuseries made about her rap career. Staci may think she psyches herself out, but so far, it looks like there is nothing Staci has not already done.
