We Did It, Ward 6! Now Let's Build This Campaign Together

When I launched this campaign, I asked friends, family, neighbors, and supporters to become part of our Founding 50and help us reach the threshold to qualify for DC’s Fair Elections Program.

You showed up — and we did it.

Our campaign has reached this important milestone, and now we’re moving into the next phase of this race.

DC’s Fair Elections Program is designed to support campaigns funded by individuals and small-dollar contributions rather than traditional large-dollar fundraising. 

That means this campaign will continue to be built $5, $10, $15, and $20 at a time.

WHY I’M RUNNING

My journey in education began long before I ever thought about running for office.

It began at my mother’s kitchen table.

My mother dedicated decades of her life to education and always told me:

“You are smart so you can help someone else.”

Those words became part of my life’s purpose.

Throughout my career, I have served education from every seat at the table — as a teacher, parent, school leader, nonprofit executive, and federal education policy professional.

Those experiences have taught me that the strongest education decisions are made when educators, families, and communities work together.

Today, I’m also a Ward 6 public-school parent raising two children in our community. The policies we debate aren't abstract to me. They affect the classrooms our children enter, the educators who teach them, and the families trying to help them succeed.

That is why I am running for the DC State Board of Education representing Ward 6.

MY PRIORITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS, FAMILIES & COMMUNITY:

🍎 Building Strong Family Partnerships

Families should have a meaningful voice in the education decisions that affect their children.

I am committed to creating consistent opportunities for Ward 6 families to be heard — including visiting Ward 6 schools, holding listening sessions with students, families, educators, and school leaders, and creating multiple ways for families to participate, including virtual options for working families.

But listening isn't enough.

I will bring the concerns I hear directly into State Board discussions and report back to our community about how those voices are shaping my work.

❤️ Strong Schools, Supported Educators

Students deserve strong schools, supported educators, and equitable access to the resources, programs, opportunities, and services they need to thrive.

I will use student experiences and school-level data to inform my work and elevate the needs of schools and students facing the greatest challenges.

I am committed to asking hard questions about how resources are allocated; supporting investments and policies that strengthen educator recruitment, retention, wellness, and school climate; and treating educator working conditions as a student-success issue.

I will also promote equity across feeder patterns so that regardless of the public school a family chooses, students have access to strong programs, meaningful opportunities, and the resources and supports they need to thrive.

🌱 Investing Early to Build Strong Futures

The strongest investment we can make in student success begins long before kindergarten.

Strong beginnings create stronger futures.

I am committed to advocating for policies that:

• Strengthen transitions into kindergarten
• Support literacy beginning in the earliest grades
• Promote high-quality early learning

Every child deserves the opportunity to enter school with a strong foundation and continue building on it throughout their education.

A CAMPAIGN BUILT BY PEOPLE

Qualifying for DC’s Fair Elections Program is an important milestone for this campaign.

The program provides public financing to certified participating candidates through matching funds and base payments, while participating candidates agree to lower contribution limits and to accept contributions only from individuals rather than businesses or traditional PACs. 

Our campaign began with people believing that $5, $10, or $20 could matter.

That remains true as we continue this campaign.

Thank you to everyone who helped us reach this milestone and to everyone continuing to follow our campaign, learn about our priorities, volunteer, attend community events, and participate in this election.

There is much more work ahead, and I look forward to continuing conversations with students, families, educators, and neighbors throughout Ward 6.

With gratitude,

Dr. Amber Williams

Candidate for DC State Board of Education — Ward 6

Building Strong Family Partnerships.

Supporting Strong Schools & Educators.

Investing Early to Build Strong Futures.