Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
š„ Why La Shawn K. Ford Belongs in Congress š„
In 2019, I was serving on the board of We Will Women, helping women and children find their voices in legislation.
I had a vision: all Illinois children should learn about the contributions of Black people to this world - in science, literature, architecture, and the great kingdoms we built long before enslavement.
I was connected to State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, and only had seconds to pitch my idea to amend HB4954.
He could have brushed me off.
Instead, he listenedā¦and said YES, then invited us to Springfield to the Illinois Black Caucus event.
The Fight Begins
When we walked into the Education Committee with our amendment, resistance was immediate.
Every Republican voted NO, hiding behind ābudget concerns.ā That didnāt surprise me.
What shook me were the Democrats.
One Democrat, Rep. Michelle Mussman, voted against it.
Another state leader, right here in Evanston, flat-out refused to sponsor the bill, dismissing it with words that still haunt me:
āCanāt Black people learn about their history in their church?ā
š That moment was devastating.
It taught me a hard lesson: sometimes those smiling at you in public are the very ones blocking you in private.
True Courage in Leadership
Another Democrat tried to pit our history against others, saying:
āIf we do this for the Blacks, weāll have to do it for Puerto Ricans and everyone else.ā
Ford didnāt flinch.
āIf you donāt pass this, Iāll bring another bill to make sure EVERYONEāS history is taught in Illinois.ā
In that moment, I saw Ford for who he truly is - a fighter who can navigate Springfield while never betraying the peopleās truth.
From Vision to Law
Ford and I co-authored the Inclusive American History Act (HB5851), expanding the vision to include Native peoples, women, and all communities that built this nation.
Both bills were folded into the Illinois Black Caucusās Education Omnibus Bill (HB2170).
In 2021, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed it into law. āš¾
Illinois became one of the only states requiring Black history to begin with pre-enslavement Africa - alongside contributions of every community that shaped this country.
The victory wasnāt easy: press conferences, threats, endless pushback.
Ford taught me to mobilize, call every legislator, and knock on every door in Springfield.
That wasnāt performance.
That was persistence.
Beyond History
Ford didnāt stop there.
Together, we produced a radio show on WVON and WCPT, tackling mental health and gun violence.
Iāve seen him expand mental health services, pass bills others feared to touch, and walk into rooms where everyone opposed the people and make them back down.
No cameras. No show. Just courage.
Measuring Leadership
When I think about leadership, I measure it against three remarkable men:
ā¢ Mont Gardner, my father - a revolutionary who taught me to stand tall, even when standing alone.
ā¢ Percy L. Berger Sr., first Black Chair of the Board at North Shore Hospital, who built a groundbreaking global banking career.
ā¢ Al Joy, who managed high-profile lives with grace and strategy.
These men broke barriers and got things done.
I use their examples as my measuring stick.
Where La Shawn K. Ford Stands
Ford belongs in that lineage:
ā¢ Like my father, he challenges systems and stands alone when needed.
ā¢ Like Percy Berger, he navigates power with integrity.
ā¢ Like Al Joy, he balances relationships and strategy without losing sight of the people.
This is why I say, with full confidence: La Shawn K. Ford is exactly who we need in Congress.
Why Heās the Right Leader for D.C.
Ford is a visionary who turns visions into reality.
He knows how to navigate the ugliest political waters and deliver for the people.
He is fearless, proven, and deeply committed.
Even though I donāt live in his district, I would feel safe knowing heās in Washington fighting for us.
Because Iāve walked alongside him.
Iāve seen the battles.
And I know this:
When La Shawn K. Ford gets to D.C., he wonāt just sit at the tableā¦heāll make sure the people are NEVER on the menu.
Final Word
Thatās leadership.
Thatās courage.
Thatās La Shawn K. Ford.
#FordForCongress #Leadership #Courage #ForThePeople #MeleikaGardner #IL7thCongressionalDistrict #LaShawnKFord
š„ Why La Shawn K. Ford Belongs in Congress š„
In 2019, I was serving on the board of We Will Women, helping women and children find their voices in legislation.
I had a vision: all Illinois children should learn about the contributions of Black people to this world - in science, literature, architecture, and the great kingdoms we built long before enslavement.
I was connected to State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, and only had seconds to pitch my idea to amend HB4954.
He could have brushed me off.
Instead, he listenedā¦and said YES, then invited us to Springfield to the Illinois Black Caucus event.
The Fight Begins
When we walked into the Education Committee with our amendment, resistance was immediate.
Every Republican voted NO, hiding behind ābudget concerns.ā That didnāt surprise me.
What shook me were the Democrats.
One Democrat, Rep. Michelle Mussman, voted against it.
Another state leader, right here in Evanston, flat-out refused to sponsor the bill, dismissing it with words that still haunt me:
āCanāt Black people learn about their history in their church?ā
š That moment was devastating.
It taught me a hard lesson: sometimes those smiling at you in public are the very ones blocking you in private.
True Courage in Leadership
Another Democrat tried to pit our history against others, saying:
āIf we do this for the Blacks, weāll have to do it for Puerto Ricans and everyone else.ā
Ford didnāt flinch.
āIf you donāt pass this, Iāll bring another bill to make sure EVERYONEāS history is taught in Illinois.ā
In that moment, I saw Ford for who he truly is - a fighter who can navigate Springfield while never betraying the peopleās truth.
From Vision to Law
Ford and I co-authored the Inclusive American History Act (HB5851), expanding the vision to include Native peoples, women, and all communities that built this nation.
Both bills were folded into the Illinois Black Caucusās Education Omnibus Bill (HB2170).
In 2021, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed it into law. āš¾
Illinois became one of the only states requiring Black history to begin with pre-enslavement Africa - alongside contributions of every community that shaped this country.
The victory wasnāt easy: press conferences, threats, endless pushback.
Ford taught me to mobilize, call every legislator, and knock on every door in Springfield.
That wasnāt performance.
That was persistence.
Beyond History
Ford didnāt stop there.
Together, we produced a radio show on WVON and WCPT, tackling mental health and gun violence.
Iāve seen him expand mental health services, pass bills others feared to touch, and walk into rooms where everyone opposed the people and make them back down.
No cameras. No show. Just courage.
Measuring Leadership
When I think about leadership, I measure it against three remarkable men:
ā¢ Mont Gardner, my father - a revolutionary who taught me to stand tall, even when standing alone.
ā¢ Percy L. Berger Sr., first Black Chair of the Board at North Shore Hospital, who built a groundbreaking global banking career.
ā¢ Al Joy, who managed high-profile lives with grace and strategy.
These men broke barriers and got things done.
I use their examples as my measuring stick.
Where La Shawn K. Ford Stands
Ford belongs in that lineage:
ā¢ Like my father, he challenges systems and stands alone when needed.
ā¢ Like Percy Berger, he navigates power with integrity.
ā¢ Like Al Joy, he balances relationships and strategy without losing sight of the people.
This is why I say, with full confidence: La Shawn K. Ford is exactly who we need in Congress.
Why Heās the Right Leader for D.C.
Ford is a visionary who turns visions into reality.
He knows how to navigate the ugliest political waters and deliver for the people.
He is fearless, proven, and deeply committed.
Even though I donāt live in his district, I would feel safe knowing heās in Washington fighting for us.
Because Iāve walked alongside him.
Iāve seen the battles.
And I know this:
When La Shawn K. Ford gets to D.C., he wonāt just sit at the tableā¦heāll make sure the people are NEVER on the menu.
Final Word
Thatās leadership.
Thatās courage.
Thatās La Shawn K. Ford.
#FordForCongress #Leadership #Courage #ForThePeople #MeleikaGardner #IL7thCongressionalDistrict #LaShawnKFord
