In 2018, on the night I was re-elected to continue my work as Columbia's first Black vice mayor at 62, a 32-year-old white man named Chaz Molder was elected the youngest mayor in Columbia's history.
While I knew Chaz through my kids and his parents, and he was well-respected by many in the community, I had some reservations about him becoming mayor. He was young and hadn’t held office. At the time, Columbia was experiencing significant changes, and I didn’t know whether Chaz could deliver on campaign promises he made.
He has more than delivered.
He showed up for every part of Columbia
As mayor, his work ethic is unmatched, and he shows up for all of Columbia, including our Black community, which has been historically overlooked by the city. On Mule Day, a day the Black community doesn’t
get much love, Chaz was in our part of town, talking and working with our community. When the Columbia Peace and Justice Initiative scheduled a Civil Rights Tour in Alabama, Chaz was one of the first people to sign up.
He and I discussed this painful but important history as we walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. Both took time and humility on his part, and I was proud of him in both moments.
Chaz doesn’t stop at just showing up. It’s not enough for him to be simply present. He listens to our community and makes investments that support our communities, families and futures.
Investing in Columbia's next generation
Chaz led the effort to have the city purchase the Muletown Rec Center, which was on the verge of being torn down. The rec center served as an affordable option for kids to learn a sport, families to socialize and young people to obtain their first jobs. My own nephew worked at the Rec Center, and it served as an entry point to many other opportunities that have put him on track for a successful college and professional career.
He invests in our youth in meaningful ways and established Columbia’s Mayor’s Youth Council. There, he brought students from diverse backgrounds across the city and invested his time and expertise in each member. Chaz’s mentorship has extended past their tenure on the council. I have seen kids go on to do remarkable things following their time with him and their peers on the council.
Confronting Columbia's history
In 2025, Chaz fought to place a statue honoring Thurgood Marshall’s time in Columbia during the Civil Rights Movement. It highlighted a dark time in Columbia’s history, and Chaz was willing to hold a mirror to Columbia, and ultimately himself, when he advocated for this statue. Despite pushback from influential people in Columbia, Chaz fought to place it in the center of downtown Columbia, where it proudly stands and reminds us of the work we have done and the work we still need to do to achieve justice in this country.
Chaz invests in people and his community. He doesn’t shy away from a fight and works in the best interest of all people. Justice isn’t just a word for him, but is a guiding principle of his life.
Why Memphis can trust him
What the Tennessee Legislature did with gerrymandering was wrong and intentionally attacked the city of Memphis and Black voters. In their efforts, they also split up Columbia and removed thousands of Black Columbia residents and me from Chaz’s district. I’m traumatized by what they did to our communities. While I can't vote for Chaz, I'm comforted that he has the opportunity to represent a city he cares deeply about.
Memphis may not know Chaz Molder as I do, but you can trust me that he will invest and stand up for your community like he has done for mine in Columbia. He is in this race for the right reasons. He has demonstrated that he is someone who shows up for us, invests in us and fights for us even when it isn't politically convenient. He will represent your community the same way. I give you my word.
Rarely do we have politicians like Chaz who are in for the right reasons and genuinely care for all communities.
Tennessee would be so lucky to have Chaz Molder as our next congressman, and I hope you will join me in doing everything you can to make that happen. I encourage you to join me and step up for Chaz so that he can stand up for us, just as he always has and always will.
Dr. Christa S. Martin served as Columbia's vice mayor and was the first African American woman elected to that role. A longtime community leader and higher education professional, she serves as assistant to the president for access and diversity at Columbia State Community College and remains active with numerous civic and nonprofit organizations throughout Maury County.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Why I trust Chaz Molder to represent Memphis in Congress | Opinion
