Senator Akbari

A proud Memphian and passionate advocate for justice and equality, Senator Raumesh Akbari serves in the Tennessee State Senate representing District 29, which includes downtown Memphis and parts of Shelby County. She was elected to the State Senate in 2018 after serving three terms in the State House of Representatives. 

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Senator Akbari serves as the 2nd Vice-Chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee and is a member of the Commerce and Labor Committee, Ethics Committee, and Joint Ad Hoc Committee on Juvenile Justice. 

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Her legislative work has garnered national and regional acclaim. Senator Akbari is the recipient of honors and awards from the Council of State Governments; Leadership Memphis; Leadership Tennessee; the National Council of State Legislators; the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women; the National Juvenile Justice Network; the German Marshall Fund; and the NewDEAL Leaders. In 2021, Senator Akbari was appointed by President Biden as a memmber to the President's Commission on White House Fellowships.

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Formerly, Senator Akbari served as chairwoman of the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators. She currently serves as a state director within Women in Government and is President-Elect of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators. Senator Akbari is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and the Links Incorporated. 

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A graduate of Washington University and the Saint Louis University School of Law, Senator Akbari strives to represent the city of Memphis and her people with dignity and respect.