Lester Booker Jr., a Canton resident and Plymouth-Canton schools graduate, is running for a partial term on the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools Board of Education in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.
Booker is the only candidate listed for the nonpartisan seat, which has a term ending Dec. 31, 2028, according to Wayne County election records. That contest is separate from the election for three six-year seats. The county provides its official candidate list on its November election page.
Booker responded to the Plymouth-Canton Post candidate questionnaire on Oct. 6. Unless otherwise noted, the information and responses below come from that questionnaire.
Asked why he is running, Booker emphasized his connection to the district.
“I’m motivated to serve because this district shaped my life, broadened my worldview and grounded my belief in the power of public education,” he said.
“P‑CCS is facing complex challenges, and I want to help strengthen trust, deepen community engagement and support decisions rooted in transparency and student wellbeing.”
Candidate information
Residence: Booker said he has lived in Canton for nearly 30 years. His family moved there from Detroit in the late 1990s.
“I entered a community that exposed me to new cultures, new expectations and new opportunities,” he said.
Party affiliation: Booker identified himself as a Democrat. The school board election is nonpartisan.
Family: “I am single, a godfather of five and a proud uncle who takes great pride in supporting their education and celebrating their accomplishments,” he said.
Education: Booker earned a Master of Science in administration with a sport concentration and a Bachelor of Applied Arts in broadcast and cinematic arts from Central Michigan University, according to his questionnaire and the university’s alumni profile.
Experience and public service
Booker said he brings nearly 20 years of professional experience across the public and private sectors and currently works as a national consultant.
His career has included communications leadership at Citizens Financial Group and positions with General Motors, the Ford Motor Company Fund through Campbell Marketing and Communications, and Palace Sports and Entertainment.
Booker said he has not previously held elected office. His community leadership includes serving as chairman of Detroit PAL’s Alumni Association and board chair for Playworks Michigan and Ohio.
He also reported leadership roles with MACC Development Corporation, Loyola High School, the National Emerging Leaders Council, the National Newspaper Publishers Association Fund, Central Michigan University Alumni Association and the Methodist Children’s Home Society Family of Services.
Booker established an endowed scholarship at Central Michigan University supporting students committed to uplifting underrepresented communities, according to the university’s alumni profile.
In his questionnaire, he also reported recognition from Crain’s Detroit Business, the Michigan Chronicle and the Detroit Economic Club.
On the issues
District challenges and finances: Booker identified budget pressures, enrollment competition, student mental health and safety, and emerging technology as major challenges.
“On the budget, I would advocate for disciplined financial planning, protecting classroom priorities and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency while maintaining the quality of education that families expect from P-CCS,” he said.
He also supports clear communication about the district’s strengths and investment in programs that attract and retain families.
Student support and teacher retention: Booker said academic achievement, mental health, safety and teacher recruitment are connected.
“Academic success depends on students feeling safe and supported, which means expanding mental‑health resources, maintaining consistent safety practices and giving educators tools to respond early when concerns arise,” he said.
“Strong recruitment and retention stabilize classrooms and create continuity that supports learning and wellbeing.”
Technology and AI: Booker said he would support policies that encourage innovation while setting expectations for responsible, ethical and age-appropriate technology use.
What sets him apart: Booker emphasized his professional background, community leadership and continuing connection to the district.
“After graduating in 2004, I continued to return to PCEP as a guest speaker for student-athletes, marketing classes and journalism programs,” he said.
“The education I received in this district was exceptional and set me apart. It is a legacy I am committed to preserving.”
Advice that guides him
“The best advice ever shared with me was to always leave people, places and organizations better than I found them,” Booker said.
“It reminds me to lead with purpose, listen before acting and use every opportunity to create a meaningful and lasting impact.”
This profile draws primarily on Lester Booker Jr.’s responses to the Plymouth-Canton Post candidate questionnaire, with additional information from Wayne County election records and Central Michigan University. Responses have been excerpted and paraphrased; direct quotations retain his wording.
