In the Tennessee House of Representatives, young politician and activist Justin Pearson is establishing a name for himself. He was born in Memphis in 1995, and his parents cultivated in him a sense of responsibility and purpose from an early age. Justin Pearson’s worldview was influenced by his mother’s career as a teacher and his father’s as a preacher.
While a student at Mitchell High School in the inner-city of Memphis during his high school years, he developed a passion for politics. He got involved in student government, pushed for AP classes and textbooks, and joined the debate team at this school. Because of his perseverance, Pearson graduated as the class valedictorian.
Following graduation from high school, Justin Pearson enrolled at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, where he double-majored in government and law and education studies. He was accepted to the summer public policy institute at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs while he was a Bowdoin Mellon Mays fellow. These encounters influenced Pearson’s political viewpoints and provided him with a strong foundation on which to build as he entered the political sphere.
In a special election held in 2023 to replace the late Barbara Cooper, Pearson won a seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives. Pearson, who is now 28 years old, is currently the second-youngest member of the Tennessee House of Representatives. From the moment he took office, Pearson’s dedication to serving his constituents and enhancing the lives of all Tennesseans was clear.
Justin Pearson has already demonstrated that, despite being young, he is a fearless defender of his convictions. He and his colleague Justin Jones were expelled from the Tennessee House of Representatives in April 2023 for taking part in a gun control demonstration outside the statehouse. But the Shelby County Board of Commissioners unanimously decided to reappoint Pearson a few days later because of his commitment to his values. A rising star in Tennessee politics thanks to his dedication to justice and equality, Pearson is sure to make waves for years to come.
Oceana Gillian and Justin Pearson are engaged. The length of the couple’s engagement as well as other relationship specifics have been kept a secret. Gillian only lists her two dogs, Curly and Pham, on her private Instagram page.
Throughout Justin Pearson’s political career, including his most recent conflict with the Tennessee House of Representatives, Gillian has been a staunch ally. Justin Pearson would be voted out of the House, Gillian said in an interview with Mother Jones’ Garrison Hayes. Gillian’s unwavering support for Pearson in the face of difficulties shows the depth of their connection and their dedication to one another.
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