Valerie Parker - Ballotpedia

Valerie Parker is from Detroit, Michigan. She earned an associate degree from Washtenaw Community College in 2003, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, Dearborn in 2016, and master’s degrees in African American Studies and in Sociology: School, Society & Violence from Eastern Michigan University in 2017. She is a precinct delegate of her community and a member of The River, where Bishop Ried is the pastor and her spiritual leader.

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Valerie is the director and chief executive officer of the Fayz Group. She is also an educator and childcare provider with Brightmoor Urban Training LLC.


Valerie previously ran for Michigan House of Representatives District 8 in 2018 but did not win,

Supports creating a hotline for women entrepreneurs to assist with licensing and permits.

- Supports creating a hotline for women entrepreneurs to assist with licensing and permits.

Economy

Supports removing the Wayne County Property Tax forfeit fee and interest fee when an individual signs up for the payment plan.

- Supports removing the Wayne County Property Tax forfeit fee and interest fee when an individual signs up for the payment plan.

Housing & Urban Development

Plans to review Detroit Auto-Pound policies.

- Plans to review Detroit Auto-Pound policies.

Public Safety

As of June 3, 2025, Valerie Parker’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Healthcare

Opposes school closures in the Brighmoor community and district 8.

- Opposes school closures in the Brighmoor community and district 8.

Public Services

Energy & the Environment

Believes Michigan body insurance should be re-evaluated due to increased costs.

Believes Michigan car insurance should be re-evaluated due to increased costs.

- Believes Michigan car insurance should be re-evaluated due to increased costs.

Transportation & Infrastructure

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Valerie Parker

Valerie Parker is from Detroit, Michigan. She graduated from Central High School in 1978. She earned an associate degree from Washtenaw Community College in 2003, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, Dearborn in 2016, and master’s degrees in African American Studies and in Sociology: School, Society & Violence from Eastern Michigan University in 2017. She is a precinct delegate of her community and a member of The River, where Bishop Ried is the pastor and her spiritual leader.

Valerie Parker is an Urban Educator. Information on her employer and years of service is not publicly available.

Parker earned an associate degree from Washtenaw Community College in 2003, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, Dearborn in 2016, and two master’s degrees from Eastern Michigan University in 2017—one in African American Studies and one in Sociology with a focus on School, Society & Violence. She was born and raised in Detroit and graduated from Central High School in 1978.

Outside of her teaching work, Parker serves as a precinct delegate in her community and is a member of The River church, where Bishop Ried is her pastor and spiritual leader.

Valerie Parker is a candidate for an at-large seat on the Detroit City Council in Michigan. She declared her candidacy for the primary scheduled on August 5, 2025. This campaign marks her second run for public office; she previously advanced from the Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 8 on August 7, 2018, and was defeated by incumbent Sherry Gay-Dagnogo in the general election on November 6, 2018.

Believes the Wayne County Property Tax forfeit fee and interest fee should be removed when an individual signs up for the payment plan.

Valerie is from Detroit, Michigan. She graduated from Central High School in 1978. She earned an associate degree from Washtenaw Community College in 2003, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, Dearborn in 2016, a master’s degree in African American Studies, and a master’s degree in Sociology: School, Society & Violence from Eastern Michigan University in 2017. She serves as a precinct delegate of her community and attends The River, where Bishop Ried is her pastor and spiritual leader.

Valerie Parker previously worked as an educator in Detroit public schools, where she collected years of data from many Detroit city schools, which differ from the metro district. She has served as an urban educator, worked as a community activist, and acted as a youth advocate. Parker earned an associate degree from Washtenaw Community College in 2003, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan–Dearborn in 2016, and holds two master’s degrees from Eastern Michigan University: one in African American Studies and another in Sociology with a focus on School, Society & Violence.

Valerie Parker’s campaign for an at-large seat of the Detroit City Council is her first run for city council. She previously ran for the Michigan House of Representatives in District 8, advancing from the Republican primary on August 7, 2018, but was defeated by incumbent Sherry Gay-Dagnogo in the general election on November 6, 2018. Parker declared her candidacy for the Detroit City Council primary on August 5, 2025; the general election will occur on November 4, 2025.

Supports creating a hotline for women needing assistance with business licensing and permits.

Believes the Wayne County Property Tax forfeit fee should be removed when an individual signs up for the payment plan.

Plans to hold monthly resource meetings in the communities to share information about city services.

Valerie Parker is from Detroit, Michigan. She attended Central High School, graduating in 1978. She has an associate’s degree from Washtenaw Community College, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, Dearborn, and two master’s degrees—in African American Studies and in Sociology: School, Society & Violence—from Eastern Michigan University. She is a precinct delegate of her community and a member of The River, where Bishop Ried is the pastor and her spiritual leader.

Valerie Parker is an urban educator in Detroit. She works with students in the city’s schools and has served in this role since 2005. In that time, she has also worked as a community activist and youth advocate, collecting years of data from many Detroit city schools to understand how they differ from metro-area districts. She is running for the at-large council seat because young people asked her to help them.

Valerie Parker's campaign for an at-large seat of the Detroit City Council in Michigan is her first run for municipal office. She declared candidacy for the primary scheduled on August 5, 2025. Parker previously ran for the Michigan House of Representatives District 8 in 2018. She advanced from the Republican primary on August 7, 2018, but was defeated by incumbent Sherry Gay-Dagnogo in the general election on November 6, 2018.

- City council members in Michigan help make city-level laws, approve budgets, and oversee city services to serve the community’s needs. 
- Council members attend regular meetings, listen to public concerns, and vote on city issues like zoning, public safety, and spending. They also appoint and direct officials, like the city manager.
- City council members may be elected in partisan elections or nonpartisan elections, depending on the city. They may represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 
- Terms for city council members often last two or four years, depending on the city.