Shante Avant is a Democratic candidate seeking election to the Shelby County Board of Commissioners for District 5. A native of Memphis, she currently serves as the deputy director for the Women’s Foundation for Greater Memphis, where she manages staff, operations, and fund development. Her professional background includes over twenty years of experience in the nonprofit sector, focusing on the economic security of women and families in the Greater Memphis area. Avant is responsible for grant allocations, fostering strategic corporate partnerships, and stewarding relationships with local and national foundations. Prior to her current role, Avant served as a member of the Shelby County Board of Education representing District 6 until 2022. She also held the position of chair for the Shelby County School Board. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Tennessee. Beyond her professional duties, Avant is actively involved in local civic organizations. She serves as a board member for Clean Memphis and sits on the advisory boards for the University of Memphis College of Social Work and the New Memphis Institute. District 5 includes parts of South Memphis, Riverside, Westwood, and Whitehaven. Avant has one daughter named Peyton. Her campaign filings with the Tennessee Ethics Commission indicate her status as a Shelby County official and candidate in recent years.

Milton Bonds Jr. is a Democratic candidate seeking election to Shelby County Commission District 5 in the upcoming 2026 cycle. As he campaigns for this local office, available biographical records provide limited detail regarding his professional background or prior public service history. Publicly accessible sources do not contain specific information about his educational achievements, family life, or previous elected positions held before this current bid for county commissioner. While comprehensive details on his platform themes are not explicitly outlined in the provided source material, Bonds Jr. has formally registered his candidacy through the Tennessee Ethics Commission. He filed a Statement of Interest form designated for Shelby County officials and candidates, identifying himself as a candidate for the County Commission seat. This filing serves as the primary public record confirming his participation in the race. Voters seeking further information on his specific policy positions, community involvement, or detailed campaign platform may need to consult additional campaign materials or official filings not included in this summary. The candidate’s registration with state ethics authorities confirms his active status in the 2026 election cycle for District 5.