Shalanda Hunt is a lifelong resident of the City of Jackson whose life and career have been defined by service to her community. A proud graduate of Jackson Public Schools, she continued her education at Jackson Community College, earning both an Associate of Arts and Sciences and an Associate of Arts in General Studies. She later earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Siena Heights University in Adrian, Michigan.

As a devoted mother, Shalanda considers her greatest accomplishment to be raising her two daughters. Her youngest daughter, Anaya Selby, is a member of the Jackson Public Schools Class of 2026. Her oldest daughter, Amari Selby, is a graduate of Michigan State University and serves as a Bio-Systems Project Engineer with Stryker Corporation. Shalanda believes that strong families and strong communities go hand in hand, and she has dedicated her life to helping both thrive.

For more than 20 years, Shalanda has worked on the front lines serving vulnerable children, youth, and families. She began her public service career at the Jackson County Youth Center, where she spent two decades mentoring and supporting at-risk youth. In 2011, she transitioned to the State of Michigan to further expand her impact as a trainer for new employees. Today, she serves as a Human Resources Developer with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Workforce Development and Training, where she prepares child welfare professionals to serve Michigan’s most vulnerable children and families. Her work helps equip the professionals responsible for strengthening the state’s child welfare system.

Shalanda’s commitment to education and public service led to her election to the Jackson Public Schools Board of Education in 2020. She quickly earned the trust of her colleagues, rising from Trustee to President of the Board. In this leadership role, she has helped guide the district through some of its most challenging years, and represented Jackson at various conferences, bringing innovative ideas and best practices back to the community. In 2023, she also received a Presidential Appointment to the Michigan Association of School Boards, recognizing her leadership and dedication to public education.

Her community involvement extends beyond education. Shalanda served on the Board of Directors for the United Way of Jackson County, where she worked alongside community leaders to improve the quality of life for families throughout the region.

In 2023, Shalanda was appointed to the Jackson City Council to represent Ward 5. In the 2025 election, the voters of Ward 5 overwhelmingly reaffirmed their confidence in her leadership, electing her with more than 60 percent of the vote over an incumbent. That decisive victory reflected the trust residents have placed in her vision, integrity, and commitment to public service.

Shortly after being sworn into office in December 2025, Shalanda revived a dormant citywide volunteer initiative first established in 2016, relaunching it as the Clear Paths, Caring Hearts program. The initiative mobilizes volunteers to assist senior citizens with snow removal during the winter months and has grown into a broader community service effort that now includes volunteer public safety initiatives and youth engagement programs.

In addition to her public service career, Shalanda is a licensed Realtor, giving her firsthand knowledge of housing, homeownership, neighborhood development, and the local economy. Combined with her experience in state government and municipal leadership, she understands the challenges facing working families from property taxes and affordable housing to workforce development and responsible budgeting.

Throughout every stage of her career, Shalanda Hunt has remained grounded in one belief: effective leadership begins with listening, serving, and putting people first. Whether advocating for students, strengthening neighborhoods, supporting families, or preparing the next generation of public servants, she is committed to building a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Jackson for everyone.

As Shalanda often says:

“To create purpose and change in the world, the heart and the mind have to work together.”