Walking into Portrait Coffee shop in the West End, RaShaun Kemp, 45, was as cool as he could be in his pullover sweater and tinted sunglasses. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Kemp blends in effortlessly with the West End crowd — Kemp was amongst his people. Sworn into the Georgia State Senate in January 2024, Kemp recently completed his first session in the Georgia State Senate, representing District 38.
A City of South Fulton resident, Kemp moved to Georgia in 2011, drawn by the sight of Black people “running the city, running the government.” Now, as a freshman lawmaker, he’s fighting what he sees as a series of attacks on minority rights.
Kemp, who identifies as Black and Mexican-American, spoke candidly about his transition from educator to politician, the political landscape following Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential victory, and his concerns about corporate America’s muted response to social issues.
“I enjoy the fight,” Kemp said about serving in the minority party at the Georgia Legislature. “I enjoy being down at the Capitol with people diametrically opposed to everything I believe in. We all have a role to play in the fight. For me, it’s about showing up and being a voice for my people and my community, ensuring our values, struggles, and perspectives are heard and reckoned with. Even in spaces where we’re outnumbered, our presence matters.”
Kemp’s background includes a career in education and public service. Kemp began as a high school principal at just 27 years old at Focus Learning Academy in Columbus, Ohio. Currently serving as Senior Director at the National Charter Collaborative, an organization focused on amplifying the voices of Black and Brown public charter school leaders. His work in education policy predates his time in office, including helping pass a 2012 amendment known as “Amendment 1” that created the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia.
Kemp’s legislative interests reflect his professional experience. He serves on several Senate committees, including Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, Education and Youth, Government Oversight, State Institutions and Property, and Urban Affairs.
In his first year, Kemp saw early success with the passage of Senate Bill 93—his first bill to be signed into law. The legislation, one of the few Democratic-sponsored bills to reach the Governor’s desk (not yet signed), aims to improve student literacy by requiring evidence-based reading instruction.
Beyond politics, Kemp is deeply rooted in community service. He has chaired Atlanta’s Neighborhood Planning Unit K and served on boards such as Georgia Equality, Ivy Preparatory Academy for Girls, and the Lillie’s Foundation. His volunteer work includes food distributions and community cleanups throughout Metro Atlanta.
Kemp expressed alarm at what he views as a targeted legislative assault on minority rights, pointing to several bills that have advanced in Georgia’s Republican-controlled legislature.
“We had a raindrop in Senate Bill 1, and then more rain came with the religious freedom bill that the governor already signed into law,” Kemp said, referencing legislation affecting transgender individuals. “The next thing they tried was the ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
Kemp believes these efforts are part of a broader strategy responding to Georgia’s changing demographics.
“They continue to find ways to chip at the progress that we’ve made,” he said. “They are trying to indoctrinate people, not to see them as bad.”
Kemp also strongly opposed proposals to eliminate the federal Department of Education, warning that such moves would harm marginalized communities.
“If you get rid of Title 1 programs, or you get rid of federal student loan programs and put that up to the states, you have this hodgepodge of policy implementation that I think would be very detrimental to people who look like us,” he said.
Additionally, he criticized corporations for failing to push back against controversial legislation, arguing that many are “capitulating” to right-wing pressure.
“My fear is corporations are just capitulating to this, and it’s going to take away opportunities for us,” Kemp said. “I think they have a responsibility” to ensure equal opportunities at all levels.
Despite the uphill battle, Kemp remains hopeful and driven. “It takes all of us to effect change,” he said. “My goal is just to get people to see that a regular person can serve in elected office, and you can make some positive change.”