Packed field of candidates vying for three Pontiac school board seats

Tori Blander-Harris has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Middle Tennessee State University and a teaching degree from Texas.

Tori is an educator. She taught in Texas for 14 years. She later worked as a coach and teacher at Detroit Country Day School.

West Bloomfield Township 2024 General Election results

Tori ran for Pontiac School District Board Member in 2024 but she did not win. 

As of June 5, 2025, Tori Blander-Harris did not have a website or any information online.

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Tori Blander-Harris

Tori Blander-Harris is from Pontiac, Michigan. She graduated from Pontiac Northern High School. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Middle Tennessee State University and a teaching degree obtained in Texas, where she taught for fourteen years. She is a former coach and teacher at Detroit Country Day school.

Tori Blander-Harris is an educator. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Middle Tennessee State University and a teaching degree in Texas. In Texas, she taught for 14 years. She later worked as a coach and teacher at Detroit Country Day School. She graduated from Pontiac Northern High School.

Said, "We need to diversify the range of extracurricular activities to cater to various student interests... This could include expanding existing programs like robotics, arts, and student council, while also introducing new clubs and activities based on student input."

Buket Urgen

Angela Allen is small business owner and community activist.

Library Board – Pontiac Public Library

Angela currently serves on the library board as secretary.

As of June 5, 2025, Angela Allen did not have a website or any information online.

Angela Allen

As of June 10, 2025, Angela Allen did not have a website or any information online.

As of June 10, 2025, Angela Allen 1 did not have a website or any information online.

Angela Allen 1

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Ashelin Currie has a Ph.D. in reading and language arts from Oakland University.

Ashelin is a lecturer at Oakland University, an early literacy consultant for Oakland Schools, and the founder of We Love Lit, a nonprofit.

2021 Oakland County election results | Detroit Free Press

Ashelin ran for the Pontiac Library Board member in 2021 but did not win.

2021 Candidate Interview: Ashelin Currie for Pontiac Library Board ...

Supports the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program, which provides free books to children.

Supports bringing the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program to Pontiac and providing free reading materials for kids in kindergarten.

Wants to invest in the library to make it "aesthetically pleasing and... a welcoming place for youth activities."

Wants to invest in library buildings to make it pleasing and useful for visitors.

Wants to partner with organizations that already provide youth services.

- Supports bringing the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program to Pontiac and providing free reading materials for kids in kindergarten.
- Wants to invest in library buildings to make it pleasing and useful for visitors.
- Wants to partner with organizations that already provide youth services.

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Ashelin R. Currie

As of June 10, 2025, Ashelin R. Currie did not have a website or any information online.

Carlton Jones has a bachelor's degree in business management from Alabama State University.

Rep. Brenda Carter's News - Michigan House Democrats

OU-Pontiac Talent Development Coalition, State Rep Brenda Carter ...

Carlton Jones is the chief executive navigator at CarNav Group. He leads the company’s work to recruit students into career pathways, help them stay enrolled in programs, and mentor them to build the knowledge and skills they need for the workforce.

As of June 5, 2025, Carlton Jones did not have a website or any information online.

Carlton Jones

As of June 10, 2025, Carlton Jones did not have a website or any information online.

Caroll Turpin was a member of the Pontiac School Board for over 10 years.

As of June 5, 2025, Caroll Yvonne Turpin did not have a website or any information online.

Caroll Yvonne Turpin

As of June 5, 2025, Desiree White did not have a website or any information online.

Desiree White

As of June 5, 2025, Dorian Jay-Simone Burkett did not have a website or any information online.

Dorian Jay-Simone Burkett

Pontiac library board tightens policies – The Oakland Press

Holbert Maxey is currently a trustee on the Pontiac Public Library Board. He was first elected in 2021.

As a library board member, expressed willingness to fund Community Cuisine project up to $100,000.

- As a library board member, expressed willingness to fund Community Cuisine project up to $100,000.

Holbert Maxey

Holbert Maxey is currently a trustee on the Pontiac Public Library Board. He was first a candidate in the 2021 election for the library board and won one of six seats out of ten contenders. He is serving his first term and previously served as the board treasurer.

LaDonna Kornegay-Bey has a bachelor's degree in human resource development from Oakland University.

As of June 5, 2025, LaDonna Kornegay-Bey did not have a website or any information online.

LaDonna Kornegay-Bey

Ladonna Kornegay-Bey

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Ravon Love works in brand strategy, web design, and film & event production. She is also a traveling musician and poet.

This Ravon Love's first time running for local office.

As of June 5, 2025, Ravon Love’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ravon Love

As of June 10, 2025, Ravon Love did not have a website or any information online.

As of June 5, 2025, Reeshemah Ross Howard (Write-In) did not have a website or any information online.

Reeshemah Ross Howard (Write-In)

Reeshemah Ross Howard has a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Michigan.

Reeshemah is a current member of the Pontiac Library Board.

Reeshemah works as an emerging environmental, sustainable, and governance (ESG) strategies manager for General Motors.

Rosie Richardson – kidsstandard

2017 Candidate Interview: Rosie Lance Richardson for Pontiac ...

Rosie Lance-Richardson is a teacher and school administrator. She also serves as the CEO of Beyond Now Concepts, overseeing educational initiatives and organizational strategy. Before her current roles, she worked as a school principal and a classroom teacher. She has published research related to education with Oxford University at Manchester College.

Rosie is currently chairwoman of the Pontiac Public Library board of trustees and is running for her fourth term. In 2017, she was a candidate for Pontiac Mayor, but she did not win. 

Supports millages for youth services and senior citizens and would like to improve SMART transportation services.

Supports tax funding for youth services and senior citizens, and would like to improve SMART transportation services.

Supports wage increases for public employees.

As a city council member, oversaw implementation of little free libraries throughout Pontiac.

As a library board member, oversaw implementation of little free libraries throughout Pontiac.

- Supports tax funding for youth services and senior citizens, and would like to improve SMART transportation services.
- Supports wage increases for public employees.
- As a library board member, oversaw implementation of little free libraries throughout Pontiac.

Rosie Lance-Richardson

Rosie Lance-Richardson is a teacher and school administrator in the Metro area, where she works with students and school staff to manage day-to-day operations and support academic programs. She also serves as the CEO of Beyond Now Concepts, overseeing educational initiatives and organizational strategy. Before her current roles, she worked as a school principal and a classroom teacher, leading school programs and developing curriculum. In addition to her work in schools and at Beyond Now Concepts, she has published research with Oxford University at Manchester College, contributing to academic scholarship on education.

Rosie Lance-Richardson is currently chairwoman of the Pontiac Public Library board of trustees. She serves on several boards, both elected and appointed, and has worked as a principal and a teacher. In 2017, she was one of eight candidates in the primary for Pontiac Mayor. During her mayoral campaign, she supported millages for youth services and senior citizens and called for improvements to SMART transportation services.

Russ - Russell Communications Group

Russ Russell lives in Pontic with his partner of 28 years, Khonsavane Maharatboutdy. He has a bachelor's degree in business from Mid-America Nazarene University.

Russ is a partner and chief development strategist at Russell Communications Group. He specializes in fundraising. Previously, he worked as a chief development officer for Lighthouse Michigan and as the Executive Director of Development at The Salvation Army’s Detroit division.

As of June 5, 2025, Russ W. Russell did not have a website or any information online.

Russ W. Russell

As of June 10, 2025, Russ W. Russell did not have a website or any information online.

Russ is from Pontiac, Michigan. He lives with his partner of 28 years, Khonsavane Maharatboutdy.

Russ is the Executive Director of Development at The Salvation Army’s Detroit division, where he has led fundraising efforts since 2003. He began his fundraising career in 1982, helping organizations build capacity through holistic, integrative strategies for fundraising and major gift development that have catapulted nonprofit organizations to new heights. Over 20 years in Southeast Michigan, he has applied a lifetime of fundraising expertise and skills around the world, driven by a passion for making a difference in the lives of others.

Supports the "Renew for the Zoo" initiative, which is a funding proposal for the Detroit Zoo.

Taneity Keels has a bachelor's degree in public administration from Central Michigan University.

Taneitity works in the behavioural mental health industry.

As of June 5, 2025, Taneitity A. Keels did not have a website or any information online.

Taneitity A. Keels

Yvette Brinker Marion is currently a member of the Pontiac Library Board as Vice Chairperson. She as first elected in 2021.

Wants to develop partnerships with schools and businesses.

Wants the library to develop partnerships with schools and businesses.

- Wants the library to develop partnerships with schools and businesses.

Yvette Brinker Marion

Yvette Brinker Marion’s campaign for Pontiac Library Board Member is her first entry into politics.

As of June 10, 2025, Yvette Brinker Marion did not have a website or any information online.

- Library board members, also referred to as trustees, set policies and control the budget for your local library. They are not responsible for day-to-day management decisions. Instead, they focus on "big picture" responsibilities.
- The board can appoint and remove librarians, purchase or sell property, renovate library buildings, and propose taxes to residents to fund library services. 
- This role is voluntary. Board members do not receive a salary, but may be compensated up to $30 for meeting attendance.