Monica Sparks, Your Kent County Commissioner

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Monica Sparks is noted as one of the 50 Most Influential women in the West Michigan region. Monica is a mother, and cancer survivor. As a Servant Leader, Monica is a Kent County Commissioner, elected to govern a fourth term along side 20 other County Commissioners with a constituency of 642,000 people, and a budget of $455 million dollars. Her focus is on working collaboratively to provide a high quality of life for everyone, especially Children, Seniors, Veterans, Families, and those with Unique Abilities or Individuals living with mental health issues. As a small business owner with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration, she also deeply respects hard working individuals working to leave a legacy for their family. Monica Sparks has been featured nationally and internationally on Dr. Phil, CBS, FOX, NBC, ABC, MSNBC, BBC, Inside Edition, Telemundo, El Jazeeri, and in many publications including Elle magazine, the New York Times, Washington Post. Named by Corp Magazine as the Diversity Business Leader of the Year, Woman’s Life Woman of the Year, and Black Diamond Transformation Awardee. Monica is a Small Business Owner of a Spa and Wellness Center, she is a licensed State of Michigan Real Estate Broker and Continuing Education Instructor. She is also a Certified SCORE Business Mentor and Counselor. Monica serves locally on various boards and committees, including; as Chair of the Kent County Black Caucus; Statewide on the Michigan Association of Counties, and Nationally on the National Association of Counties Community Economic Development Steering Committee, Vice Chair of the Behavioral Health Committee, and as the President of Democrats for Life of America. As a champion for mental health, Monica is also the Founder of Community of Hearts, a federally recognized 501c3, non profit that helps to create Mental Health Advocates with training available in English, Spanish, Swahili, Vietnamese, and French. Monica Sparks lives by the mantra, "You cannot lead by pointing your finger, you must lead by moving your feet!”