Ginger Baylor has been twice elected to Akron board of education and spent 30 years in the Akron community as a teacher, adjunct faculty member, and liaison for US Rep. Marcia Fudge. Ginger is running to encourage job growth and development, support diverse neighborhoods and concentrate on matters of safety and infrastructure.

In 2020 Ginger will begin her work as an Akron City Council Member, At-Large.

The responsibilities of city council members include: 

• Establishing policies for effective delivery of municipal services like trash collection, water, and snow removal services.
• Adopting annual city budgets and legislation to address key issues in their community. 
• Approving the use and sale of city owned property. 

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Meet the Candidate

Can you tell our members a little bit about your journey to filing as a candidate?

When in the classroom, I saw firsthand the difficulties that children faced in life. I worked hard to let them know that I had their back and am grateful for those experiences where I found a mission – to assume a leadership role in which I could be a pro-active solution maker focused on closing the gaps. I first ran for Akron City School Board in 2009 to help connect the dots between the classroom and the administration and be a collaborator in support of those working so hard to see our children succeed. I am fortunate to have been twice-elected and, as a strong minority female voice at the table, I’ve had an opportunity to be a part of our city’s trendsetting initiatives. We have built new school buildings throughout the entire district, rolled out career academies that connect our children with technical and higher-ed options that fit the skillsets of our local employers, and have seen the Lebron James’ Foundation-APS I Promise School come to life.

Tell our members about a friend or family member who inspired you to become a leader.

My children would always comment to me – mom you would make a great teacher. They inspired me to do just that, so I returned to school, earned my degree from the University of Akron, and went on to get my masters and teach at the collegiate level. My children and my grandchildren continue to be my inspiration. I want to instill the same sense of spirit that they have given me, in the lives of my fellow Akronites, by setting an example as an openminded and welcoming leader who is willing to work hard and give back to the community.

Some of you are military veterans, some small business owners, some professionals, some mothers and grandmothers, some homemakers. How did one of these experiences shape who you are as a person and leader?

My life experiences as a mom, grandmother, wife, educator, student, constituent liaison, and elected official have truly formed who I am today. At times, I faced adversity, but I have also experienced joy and been supported by those full of love, for me, my family, and my community. The accumulation of these experiences drives my values of education and service of people. We must lift each other up and work together as a community to build strength and successes for the next generation.

The Matriots PAC has a goal to see 50% of all elected offices in Ohio held by women by 2028. What is your vision for Ohio in 2028?

Here in Summit County, we are fortunate to have many great leaders in elective office that are female, but we haven’t come far enough. I would like to see increased participation of women in elective leadership positions, in upper-level political and governmental roles, as well as in the heights of the business sector. If elected, I plan to start a female mentorship program that will provide young women exposure to the variety of fields that will thrive with their leadership and talents. By having more women at the table, we will move towards eliminating the wage gap and ensure that healthcare access and choices are sustained by women so they, their families, and our community can thrive.

Tip O’Neill famously said that “all politics is local.” What are the top-two issues your community or our state face today?

In order for Akron to continue to build upon its strengths, we must focus on job growth via development and education, and safe neighborhoods by funding infrastructure and safety forces. We must ensure that there are opportunities for all residents to close the gender and socio-economic gaps. There is no better way to tackle these societal issues than being involved at the local level where we can face them head-on, with our neighbors by our side. We get to hear and know the people, see the impact, and have a chance to make a difference.

Tell us something personal about yourself.

I was a sports reporter in the 1990’s – not because the job existed, but because I asked my boss at the time to create the position. The initiative opened the locker room door to a world of professional athletes from across the country. Throughout each interview I heard about their interests, passions, families, and challenges, and learned that we are all the same. Whether it was Kenny Lofton, Wayne Embrey, Michael Jordan, or someone with the Rockers or the Browns, I had the opportunity to understand the human side of those who play sports and became one of the first women to work as a reporter at that level of competition.