"As a product and advocate of public education, I am committed to ensuring our public schools are strong. As a legislator, my record reflects my commitment to public education in the state of Mississippi. All of our students should be afforded an education second to none. Academic environments should be fully funded with expert educators and staff, excellent learning environments with creativity and enthusiasm which inspire students to achieve their highest potential."
~ DEBRA GIBBS
ABOUT THE CANDIDATE
A native of Gulfport, Mississippi, Debra Gibbs graduated from Gulfport East High School. She earned a B.S. in accounting from the University of Southern Mississippi, an MBA from Mississippi College and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Mississippi College School of Law. She also earned a certification in Supervisory Management from the State Personnel Board and the Certified Public Manager Advisory Board. While at Mississippi College School of Law, Gibbs received the prestigious Hearin Scholarship and was also selected as a pupil in the Charles Clark Inns of Courts. She was also a member of Phi Alpha Delta and the Black Law Student Association.
Prior to being appointed as a commissioner at Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission, Gibbs had the honor to clerk with the Honorable Patricia Wise of the Chancery Court, as well as Mississippi Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable James Smith. Gibbs also served as an educator and founding director of the Center for Professional Development in the School of Business at Jackson State University, and as the director of the Department of Accounting and Finance for the Department of Human Services.
An avid supporter of her community, Gibbs volunteered with the Jackson/Hinds Library System and served on their Board of Trustees. She also served as the president of the Parents for Public Schools Board, Jackson MS Chapter. Prior to serving as the president of the school board, Gibbs served as a member of the strategic planning committee, the moms conference committee, the middle school task force and PTA President of Chastain Middle School. One of her proudest moments was being awarded the Volunteer of the Year award by the State Parent Teacher Association.
Gibbs is married to the Honorable Robert L. Gibbs, and together they have two young adult children: Ariana, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Spelman College and earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law, and Justis, a graduate of Howard University, who is currently a second year law student at the University of Mississippi School of Law.
ABOUT HOUSE DISTRICT 72
Counties represented: Hinds, Madison
School Districts represented: Clinton School District, Madison County School District, Jackson Public School District
Endorsed: 2019