Courtney Renford is a Rochester, New York native. Upon receiving her Associate Degree in Liberal Arts with a focus in Political Science from Monroe Community College, Courtney began work towards a bachelor’s degree in Political Science at the University at Buffalo. She is committed to the motto of the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs that says, “Lifting as We Climb”. The sixth of eight children in her working class family, Courtney will be the first to earn a bachelor’s degree and understands that she has a responsibility to share her education and experiences with her family and community. A former intern for Erie County Legislator Patrick Burke of the 7th District and current Sunday School Teacher within her church, Greater Bethlehem Temple Pentecostal Church Inc. in Rochester, NY where she serves faithfully, Courtney is dedicated to reducing poverty within her community through advocacy and education. Through her efforts as a Sunday School Teacher, Courtney strives to help inner city youth establish a foundation for their faith, while upholding formal education through a focus on reading, history and science while promoting literacy and public speaking skills. Upon graduation, Courtney intends to earn her JD and work closely with government to implement education reform within New York State. She understands the challenges that students may face throughout their years of schooling and will work to develop education policies that will better serve students throughout districts, and give them equal opportunity to prosper, regardless of their socioeconomic status. She has seen the crippling effects of poverty within her family life, but Courtney is determined to persevere through poverty’s challenges and knows that her life can be a testimony of the power of God and the power of education.