Written By JR Robinson

Erika Sugarmon recently traveled to Washington, DC, to attend the annual symposium hosted by the Congressional Black Caucus. Though initially hesitant to leave Memphis during such a challenging time locally, she made the trip to engage in powerful discussions about issues facing cities like Memphis at the federal level. The symposium offered perspectives on how policies from the Trump administration have impacted urban areas, including Memphis, Chicago, New Orleans, and DC itself.

One striking takeaway for Erika was how younger generations, particularly those under 25, are experiencing unprecedented challenges. She reflected deeply on how many in Gen Z and younger have not known the freedoms previous generations fought for. They face new hardships shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, eroding rights, and growing feelings of despair and hopelessness. She emphasized the stark reality for Memphis youth who live with insecurity, diminished opportunities, and environmental degradation—conditions she hadn't fully appreciated before her visit.

Erika also spent time gathering ideas and connections to bring back to Memphis as the situation here grows more complex. She described the current dynamic with federal intervention, including the presence of the National Guard and multiple agencies like ICE and the FBI surrounding the city. This influx, she noted, is causing fear and disruption beyond just one district, impacting the entire community economically, socially, and psychologically.

Despite some citizens welcoming the increased presence for the sake of "order," Erika warned against the dangers of fearmongering and racial tensions being stoked politically. She called attention to the deeper class war underlying the unrest—a division exploited for profit by those benefiting from instability, including for-profit prisons and political agendas.

She expressed deep concern for the trauma this situation is causing families and children, who see tanks and armed forces in their neighborhoods as though living in a war zone. Erika called for calm, informed resilience—urging residents to stay informed about potential curfews, road closures, and safety measures without succumbing to panic. She stressed the importance of community support, law observance, and institutional protections, such as rights during police interrogations for minors.

In her role as a commissioner, Erika is actively working to communicate with residents, community organizations, and local leaders to provide reassurance and advocate for resources addressing the root problems: housing insecurity, education gaps, food insecurity, and economic opportunity. She shared frustrations about the ineffective responses she sees and warned of the dangers from rushed or ill-conceived interventions that do more harm than good, like excessive ticketing of working-class residents struggling to get by.

Reflecting on local governance, Erika underscored the need for term limits and staggered elections in the school board and county offices to restore trust, accountability, and continuity. Though some officials seek to overturn elections or disenfranchise voters, she stands firmly on legal principles and the rights of citizens to fair representation.

Erika also gave a message to the community: stay calm, take precautions, and be visible but safe in these tense times. She is committed to working every day—without a day off—to support District 12 and all of Shelby County through this turbulent period.

Before closing, she shared that through her ongoing work in housing and education policy she will soon represent Memphis at a national level in Milwaukee, showcasing the progress made locally and continuing to build partnerships to support community resilience.

Her heartfelt reflections and steadfast commitment reveal a leader deeply engaged with the realities facing her constituents—hopeful, cautious, and determined to navigate these challenges with transparency, integrity, and a focus on justice and equity.