She was the salutatorian of her graduating class, started college at 15, and graduated with a 3.9 GPA in marketing. She worked in the city schools accounting department, and was district manager for KFC. She’s the next generation of the proud Newman family: the late George Newman was her father, and Duce Newman and Terry Newman were her uncles.
When Jennifer Newman qualified to run for the Monroe City School Board to represent District 7, the incumbent, Brenda Shelling, went to court and unsuccessfully tried to stop her from running. However, Judge Wilson Rambo ruled in her favor, finding her fully qualified to remain on the ballot after determining her explanation was reasonable and emphasizing that election laws must be interpreted to favor preserving candidacies.
With her spot on the ballot secured, the question remains: Who is Jennifer Newman? What about her background, training, and education would make a legendary politician and power-broker like Shelling afraid to face her on November 3rd?
A Legacy of Service and Faith
Born on October 2, 1982, in Monroe, Louisiana, Jennifer comes from a family deeply rooted in leadership and community stewardship. She is the youngest child of the late Reverend Isaac “George” Newman and Elouise McGhee-Newman, and a proud mother of three. Her father made history as the first African American to serve as a supervisor for the City of Monroe’s Water Department. Her uncles also shaped her civic outlook: Eugene “Deuce” Newman contributed to recreation across the Ark-La-Miss, and Terry Newman worked with the Monroe Transit System to ensure safe transportation for local residents.
Her upbringing at Progressive Baptist Church and Parkview Church of Christ instilled in her core values of humility, compassion, and responsibility.
Academic and Professional Background
Jennifer excelled academically from a young age, graduating as salutatorian of Wossman High School in 1999. Entering Grambling State University at just 15 years old, she graduated second in her class with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing in 2003, maintaining a GPA of 3.9 or higher. She later pursued business management studies at the University of Phoenix and nursing coursework through dual enrollment at the University of Louisiana at Monroe and Delta Community College.
Her professional career spans both business and education:
- Business Leadership: At age 16, she began working with Kentucky Fried Chicken, breaking barriers as the organization’s first African American female restaurant manager and district manager in Monroe and surrounding areas, overseeing operations across multiple Louisiana cities.
- School Board Experience: Early in her work history, she spent time in the Accounting Department of the Monroe City School Board under Litta Goins.
- Classroom Experience: In 2005, she returned to Monroe City Schools as a substitute teacher, tutor, and participant in the Teach Louisiana Program.
A Heart for Community Service
Beyond her professional achievements, Jennifer has a long history of community involvement, including serving meals to individuals through Council on Aging Centers, Primetime Head Start, and homeless outreach, as well as serving on the policy council with Volunteers of America and the Early Head Start Program.
Bringing her extensive business training, financial background, budgeting knowledge, and direct school system experience, Newman seeks to bring her lifelong dedication of service to the students and families of Monroe City Schools.
