Khem Denise Irby

Khem Irby is the incumbent Democratic member of the Guilford County Schools Board of Education representing District 6 and is seeking re‑election in the November 3, 2026 general election after winning the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary with 65.2% of the vote (3,918 votes) against Chris Gillespie [1].

Irby was born in Brooklyn, New York, served in the U.S. Navy Reserve, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Barclay College in 2018 [1]. She has worked as an activist, secretary, and after‑school teacher, including a position as an elementary after‑school teacher at Pearce Elementary School’s ACES program [12].

In the education sector, Irby holds several leadership roles: she serves as Secretary for the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE) Educational Support Personnel, is President of the national non‑profit Parents Across America, and co‑chairs the Dignity in Schools campaign, which challenges the school‑to‑prison pipeline [11][12]. She is also the legislative chair of the Guilford County Board of Education, a position that enables her to work directly with state lawmakers on public‑school issues [12].

Irby was first elected to the Guilford County School Board in 2018 and was re‑elected in 2022, defeating Republican Tim Andrew with 52.6% of the vote (13,142 votes) [1]. During her tenure she helped open new schools, oversaw the district’s recovery from the COVID‑19 pandemic, participated in hiring a new superintendent, and contributed to shifting the board to a Democratic majority [12]. She has highlighted ongoing challenges such as opportunity gaps for students of color, a bus‑driver shortage, and the rapid expansion of the state’s voucher program, which she says diverts funds from public schools [12].

Irby’s platform emphasizes student‑centered decision‑making, ending the school‑to‑prison pipeline, and placing a moratorium on new charter schools—a stance informed by her experience as a former charter‑school parent in New York City [11]. She advocates for higher teacher and staff pay, expanding college‑credit programs for high‑school students, and improving school safety through comprehensive approaches that include, but are not limited to, security scanners [12].

She is affiliated with a range of community and advocacy organizations, including the High Point NAACP, the NC Black Leadership & Organizing Collective, local PTAs, Cedar Grove Tabernacle of Praise, and Greater New Hope Baptist Church in High Point. Endorsements for her 2026 campaign include the Guilford County Association of Educators, Red Wine and Blue, and the Network for Public Education Action [1][11].

Sources

• [1] Khem Irby - Ballotpedia
• [7] Elected Officials – Guilford County Democratic Party
• [9] Khem Irby for Board of Education | Facebook
• [11] Khem Irby for District 6, Guilford County School Board - NPE Action
• [12] Guilford Board of Education Member Khem Irby Seeks Re-Election