“I don’t want to be a politician; I want to be a public servant,”
-Raymond Whiteside

Raymond is a Community Development Specialist for the City of West Memphis who works to bring things like affordable housing, handicapped-accessible playgrounds, and museums to the Delta. A former educator and journalist, Raymond gained valuable experience as a School Improvement Specialist and critical reading instructor with the Marion School District. He has also worked as a 6th-grade English teacher at Maddux Elementary in West Memphis and as a reporter and copy editor with the Jonesboro Sun newspaper in Jonesboro.

Raymond has been a leader and active community member since his youth, earning Eagle Scout rank at age 13, serving as an acolyte in church, attending Arkansas Boys State, and serving as class president while in high school. In college, Raymond tutored high school students, worked at a children’s pediatric day clinic, served as editor of the Arkansas State University student newspaper - The Herald, and was elected vice president of his fraternity.

Today, Raymond is still active in his community. Just this year he organized voter-registration events, led petition drives, helped with numerous community service projects, and regularly attended city council meetings in Marion, Crawfordsville, Earle, Parkin, Turrell, and West Memphis.

Raymond is a happily married father of two and a member of the United Methodist Church. He believes in service to others, doing the right thing, and helping those in need.