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Shameka Parrish-Wright earned a degree in human services from Jefferson Community College and a degree in psychology, women and gender studies, and Pan-African studies from the University of Louisville.

Shameka is the Executive Director of VOCAL-KY. She works at VOCAL-KY, where she has been since its launch. She previously worked as a community organizer and social justice advocate for more than 25 years, focusing on building political power for people directly impacted by issues such as AIDS, homelessness, mass incarceration and the failed drug war.

MEET THE COUNCILMEMBERS: SHAMEKA PARRISH-WRIGHT

Shameka currently works as the executive director of VOCAL-KY, an organization focused on addressing issues such as HIV, substance use, mass incarceration, and homelessness. She previously worked as a community organizer, consultant, and social justice advocate.

Shameka Parrish-Wright is currently a member of Louisville Metro Council representing District 3. She was elected in 2023.

Louisville progressive Shameka Parrish-Wright discusses run for ...

Shameka Parrish-Wright - Ballotpedia

About Us - VOCAL-KY

2023 Louisville Metro Council special election in Districts 3, 6 and 8

Metro councilwoman to challenge Greenberg in Louisville's 2026 ...

Shameka currently serves as a member of the Louisville Metro Council representing District 3 in Kentucky. She was first elected in 2023 and is serving her first term. She previously ran for Mayor of Louisville in 2022, but did not win.

Shameka Parrish-Wright | Kentuckians For The Commonwealth

Supports comprehensive sex education that is inclusive of LGBTTQQIAAP identities, emphasizing healthy relationships and reliable education for youth.

Supports comprehensive sex education that includes LGBTQ+ topics and focuses on healthy relationships.

Supports public schools and opposes charter schools as a form of privatization, advocating for accountability in education funding while recognizing families' right to choose the best educational options for their children.

Opposes charter schools as a form of privatization of public education.

Supports restorative justice practices in schools, advocating for comprehensive implementation and additional teacher training, along with community forums for awareness and education.

Supports restorative justice practices in schools and increased training for teachers.

Supports public schools and prioritizes maintaining public funding for them.

- Supports comprehensive sex education that includes LGBTQ+ topics and focuses on healthy relationships.
- Opposes charter schools as a form of privatization of public education.
- Supports restorative justice practices in schools and increased training for teachers.
- Supports public schools and prioritizes maintaining public funding for them.

Education

Supports zoning to allow for additional affordable and multi-family housing and improved air quality.

Supports zoning changes to allow more affordable and multi-family housing.

Supports long-term solutions for homelessness, including pathways to homeownership for marginalized groups.

Supports long-term solutions to homelessness, including expanding access to homeownership.

Supports stabilizing property taxes for fixed-income seniors.

- Supports zoning changes to allow more affordable and multi-family housing.
- Supports long-term solutions to homelessness, including expanding access to homeownership.
- Supports stabilizing property taxes for fixed-income seniors.

Housing & Urban Development

For Candidate Shameka Parrish-Wright on Issue public-safety: Believes public safety encompasses housing, disaster preparedness, road maintenance, mental health investment, and community support, asserting that meeting basic needs strengthens the economy.

Believes public safety includes housing, mental health, infrastructure, and community support, not just law enforcement.

- Believes public safety includes housing, mental health, infrastructure, and community support, not just law enforcement.

Public Safety

Supports expanding the library in the district to better serve the community.

Supports expanding the library in the district.

Supports keeping families together and housed, and advocates for access to swimming pools and 24-hour community centers for young people.

Advocates for access to swimming pools and 24-hour community centers for young people.

- Supports expanding the library in the district.
- Advocates for access to swimming pools and 24-hour community centers for young people.

Public Services

For Candidate Shameka Parrish-Wright on Issue transportation-and-infrastructure: Advocates for addressing the city's aging infrastructure by hiring a variety of businesses for essential public works, including HVAC, plumbing, and road repairs.

Supports improving infrastructure, including roads, utilities, and public works.

- Supports improving infrastructure, including roads, utilities, and public works.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Supports a living wage of at least $15 to $25 per hour, paid parental leave, and comprehensive health insurance, while advocating for business incentives to achieve these goals.

Supports a living wage of at least $15 to $25 per hour, paid parental leave, and comprehensive health insurance.

Supports incentivizing businesses for paying living wages and providing expansive benefits.

- Supports a living wage of at least $15 to $25 per hour, paid parental leave, and comprehensive health insurance.
- Supports incentivizing businesses for paying living wages and providing expansive benefits.

Economy

As of March 25, 2026, Shameka Parrish-Wright did not have a website or any information online.

Ethics & Conduct

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Shameka Parrish-Wright

For Candidate Shameka Parrish-Wright on Issue public-safety: Prioritizes addressing gun violence, drugs, and gang activity as key issues for the next mayor.

- The duties of the mayor depend on the type of government within the city, 
- If the city has a mayor-council form of government, the mayor is responsible for the executive and administrative functions of the government. They oversee all city departments, but cannot vote in most council matters. 
- If the city has a mayor-aldermen form of government, the mayor is responsible for executing and enforcing local and state laws. The mayor may appoint city officials with approval from the aldermen. 
- If the city has a mayor-commission form of government, the mayor presides over the city commissioners and can vote within the commission. The mayor is responsible for executing all decisions reached by the commission. 
- If the city has a city manager form of government, the mayor presides over the city commissioners and can vote within the commission. The mayor is recognized as the head of the city department but does not have any regular administrative duties. 
- City mayors are elected during general elections for a four-year term. Most cities in Kentucky hold nonpartisan elections for mayor. 