Elect Ashley R. Wheat Tuscaloosa City Council District 2

ABOUT YOUR CANDIDATE

There are limitless possibilities for District 2’s growth and sustainability. We need a leader who is present and actively building relationships to ensure our community stays in the forefront and receives its fair share of resources. As an entrepreneur, nonprofit leader, and mentor, Ashley R. Wheat is dedicated to being a problem solver for District 2 and connecting the dots between issues and available resources to remedy them.

As a lifelong resident of West Tuscaloosa, Ashley has been married to her husband Santez for 15 years. She enjoys mentoring middle school girls as the Founder and Director of Rose’s Leadership Academy, a nonprofit organization designed to use art and creativity to enhance students’ self-esteem, provide them with real-world business skills, and help them explore the myriad options for the future. She is also the Executive Director of the Alabama Blues Project, a nonprofit organization that preserves the legacy of Alabama’s blues musicians by teaching children blues history and how to sing and play instruments. Ashley sits on the boards and councils of other community organizations including the Benjamin Barnes Branch YMCA and the Johnny Shines Blues Foundation. Her love of the arts also led her to create Bougie Boogie Line Dancing, a weekly class that promotes health and joyful socialization through group activity.

Ashley is passionate about promoting local business to drive our economy. As an active member of the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce, she serves as an Ambassador and on the steering committee for the Diverse Business Council. She also served as the 2022 Chair for the Chamber’s Nonprofit Council. As a city councilor, it is Ashley’s goal to use the networks she has built to drive a new wave of business and entrepreneurship in District 2.

Bring these values of community leadership, business acumen, and dedication to arts and culture to the Tuscaloosa City Council by voting for Ashley R. Wheat on March 4, 2025!

Business Education & Leadership

University of Phoenix, Master of Business Administration, 2007
Stillman College, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, 2005
Sigma Beta Delta International Business Honor Society, Inducted 2005
West Alabama Chamber of Commerce, Ambassador, 2024 – Present
West Alabama Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Tuscaloosa Graduate, 2023
Ashley R. Wheat Enterprises, Owner, 2014 – Present
YouTube Channel @AshleyInspires, 2024 – Present

Nonprofit, Community & Arts Leadership

Building Bridges Institute for Racial Reconciliation, Board Member, 2025 – Present
Rose’s Leadership Academy, Founder & Director, 2024 – Present
Alabama Blues Project, Executive Director, 2019 – Present
Benjamin Barnes Branch YMCA Advisory Council, Secretary, 2022 – Present
Johnny Shines Blues Foundation, Board of Directors, 2023 – Present
The Bridge Builders Friendship Foundation, Inaugural Bridge Builder Award Recipient, 2023
Shelton State Community College, Nonprofit Leadership Academy Graduate, 2022
West Alabama Chamber of Commerce, Nonprofit Council Chair, 2022
The pARTners Project, Tuscaloosa Co-Chair, 2021 – 2022
Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority, Life Member, Inducted 2002

Notable Speaking Engagements

Tuscaloosa's One Place, Staff Development Keynote Speaker, 2024
Stars Academy, Motivational Speaker, 2024
Junior League of Tuscaloosa, Professional Development Speaker, 2024
Easterseals West Alabama, Fundraiser Keynote Speaker, 2023
Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa Morning, Breakfast Keynote Speaker, 2023
Eastwood Middle School, Girls Empowerment Day, Professional Development Speaker, 2022
OLLI at the University of Alabama, Bonus Talk Speaker, 2019
Eastwood Middle School, Motivational Speaker, 2019
The Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa, Lunch Meeting Keynote Speaker, 2019
Bailey Tabernacle C.M.E. Church, Women’s Day Keynote Speaker, 2016

MEET THE CAMPAIGN TEAM

Tameka Carey

Finance Manager

Tameka Carey is a former Branch Manager at Alabama One Credit Union where she worked for six years. She has nearly fifteen years of experience in the field of finance, including teaching community financial literacy classes. She is also a mentor and board member of Rose’s Leadership Academy. In August 2021, Tameka decided to step away from Alabama One to focus on her multiple businesses and career as a stand-up comedian.

Donna Nevins-Davidson

Field Director

Donna Nevins-Davidson is a native of Tuscaloosa’s Westside in the Shacktown Community. She is an Air Force veteran with a background in administration. Donna has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Alabama and a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Walden University. She retired from the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center after 25 years of service. Donna is a single mother of a 20-year-old daughter and enjoys cooking, reading, traveling, and shopping. She is known for being dependable, motivated, responsible and hard-working. Donna chose to join the campaign because she believes District 2 needs someone who cares about our community and the people in the community.

Laurie Beth Kesterson

Field Director

Laurie Beth Johnson Kesterson graduated from the University of Alabama with an undergraduate degree in Psychology. She is passionate about working for the community and renovated homes with Project Blessings before the April 27th tornado, then gathered supplies for community members affected by the tornado. She has served on the Executive Board of Arts N Autism as well as the Advisory Council of Benjamin Barnes YMCA. As an Alabama Advocate, Laurie Beth has organized various events to lobby for social justice reforms including insurance coverage for individuals on the autism spectrum and reforming our criminal justice system.

P.O. Box 1191

Tuscaloosa, AL 35403