Thomas Stallworth III — Political Dynasty
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Position
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Thomas F. Stallworth III (also: Tommy Stallworth) |
| Office | Michigan House of Representatives, Districts 7 and 8 (2011–2015) |
| Leadership | Chair, Michigan Legislative Black Caucus |
| Leadership | Chair, Detroit Caucus |
| Board | Detroit Public Schools Board Member |
| Board | Director, Black Caucus Foundation of Michigan |
| Current | President, Stallworth Consulting Group |
| Current | MSU Trustee candidate (2024) |
| Education | B.A. Urban Planning and Development, Michigan State University |
Family Dynasty — Three Generations of Detroit Political Power Verified
| Person | Role | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Alma Stallworth | Mother — State Rep (21 years) | Founded BCF |
| Keith Stallworth | Brother — State Rep, Wayne County Commissioner | Federal guilty plea (2003) — laundered gang money through strip club. BCF Managing Director |
| Nicole Wells-Stallworth | Wife | Board President of MacDowell Prep since 2012. Hired Brian Banks. CEO, The Children’s Center |
| Misha Stallworth West | Daughter | DPSCD Board Member — the entity that authorizes MacDowell’s charter |
The Authorization Conflict Verified
Tommy Stallworth
├── WIFE: Nicole Wells-Stallworth
│ └── Board President, MacDowell Preparatory Academy
│ └── Hired Brian Banks as superintendent
│
└── DAUGHTER: Misha Stallworth West
└── Board Member, DPSCD
└── DPSCD authorizes MacDowell's charter
Tommy Stallworth’s wife runs the school. Tommy Stallworth’s daughter sits on the board of the entity that authorizes the school’s charter. The authorization chain runs through one family.
Connection to Banks Network
| Layer | Connection | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Campaign finance | Tommy and Nicole donated $1,250+ to Brian Banks’ campaigns | Free Press, Aug 2023 |
| BCF board | Served as Director of BCF alongside Brian Banks (board member) and Keith Stallworth (Managing Director) | Free Press, Apr 2018 |
| DPS Board | Served on Detroit Public Schools Board — precursor to DPSCD, MacDowell’s authorizer | Ballotpedia |
| Legislative Black Caucus | Chaired the caucus during Banks’ term in MI House (2015-2016) | Public record |
The Racial Solidarity Shield
Thomas Stallworth III built a career on Black political empowerment in Detroit — a legitimate and necessary tradition. But when that tradition is weaponized to shield a convicted felon running a school at 3% math proficiency from accountability, it stops being solidarity and becomes complicity.
The Stallworth family donated to Banks. The Stallworth family’s foundation incubated Banks. The Stallworth family hired Banks. The Stallworth family’s daughter authorizes Banks’ charter.
At every checkpoint where someone could have said no, a Stallworth said yes.
Verify
- Michigan Legislature: Thomas Stallworth III, Districts 7 and 8
- Ballotpedia: Thomas Stallworth, III
- Campaign finance: Michigan CFRS
- BCF board: Free Press reporting (Apr 2018)
- DPSCD Board roster: detroitk12.org
All sources are public records and published news reports.