Tami Sawyer, the youngest person and first woman to serve as Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk, is a prominent civil rights activist and former Shelby County Commissioner. With a master's degree in rhetorical communication, Tami brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her work.
Throughout her career, Tami has held senior leadership positions in notable organizations such as the US Navy, Teach For America, Black Voters Matter, and Amazon. In 2017, she founded #TakeEmDown901, a highly successful movement dedicated to removing Confederate statues from Memphis. Her insightful commentary has appeared in various media outlets, including CNN, Essence, Forbes, and Time.
Acknowledged for her outstanding public service, Tami was named Young Elected Official of the Year in 2022 by People For the American Way and earned a spot on the Reckon South List. In 2018, she was included in the Ebony Power 100 List.
Beyond her activism, Tami is a dedicated member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and mentors several young adults. She also co-founded the George Floyd Legal Defense Fund of the NAACP Memphis, demonstrating her dedication to the fight for justice.
The General Sessions Court was created by a private legislative act in 1941 (Tennessee Private Acts, 1941, Ch. 123, section 1). It is responsible for maintaining the records and funds of Shelby County's: