DeShanna Neal

DeShanna Neal was born in Wilmington, Delaware. Neal graduated from Concord High School in 2000. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Phoenix in 2010 and a master's degree in applied family science from Wilmington University in 2021. Her career experience includes working as a therapist, as well as in retail, finance, and customer service. Neal founded Intersections of Pride Foundation.[1][2][3]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I was born in Wilmington General and have been a lifelong Delawarean. I credit my love for justice, community, and education on my parents: my father, a Vietnam veteran, and my mother, an office assistant for over 30 years. I became part of the first generation of city kids to be bussed to choice school, and thrived in the Brandywine School District. I graduated from Concord High School (go Raiders!) in 2000, and went on to became the first in my family to receive a Masters degree in Applied Family Science. During this time, I also became a mother to my four children, Trinity,

Lucien, Hyperion, and Thane.

I'm a Certified Family Life Educator and work with an amazing behavioral health organization as a mobile outpatient psychologist for the most at-risk youth in Delaware. I'm an author and have a nonprofit that works to bridge the gaps for the most vulnerable and underrepresented in the state.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Access to both medical and mental healthcare. I have seen the benefits of having access to medical and mental healthcare. As a mental health provider, I love watching my clients grow and find mindfulness in their lives.Affordability for hard working families, like mine, is needed in this state. Finding ways for families to afford their homes, being paid living wages, and making childcare affordable. The weight I see many in my district and throughout the state carry upsets me. We are drowning trying to keep a roof over our heads and food on our tables. I am proud to be a co-sponsor for the initiative to look at the food deserts in our communities and ways to decrease the burden of costs in Delaware.Equity in our education system. As a sitting member of the education committee, we have already made great strides in addressing the challenges facing our education system. Increasing our teacher's pay means our teachers can stay in our schools, take care of their families, and be more present for their students. Passing the first leg of free breakfast and lunch for students in need because we all know a hungry child is a child who can not learn. I am one of the many therapists who can enter our schools and work with our at-risk students, along with a slew of mental health initiatives for our K-12 kids which means addressing trauma. And now we are looking at school climate and funding options so all schools can thrive.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Accessibility for all, especially as the first visibly disabled state legislature. Medical and mental healthcare that is affordable. Education and ways to improve our public schools.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My kids. They show me the reason I do what I do. Why my continued work in community and social justice efforts matter. They have gone through a pandemic, isolation, loss of friends through gun violence and suicide, and bullying. Yet, my older two are now in their second year of college, my younger two are honor roll students, and they are the most empathetic, advocacy driven, young people I get the pleasure of raising and loving.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemmingway. The persistence of the main character, even though it seemed hopeless at times, is how I have always moved through life. I am patient but I am also persistent.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Empathy, the ability to work together, and bridging the gaps for the people of Delaware.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I have experienced poverty, struggling to make ends meet, and worked hard to pull myself up through higher education and community service. When I got to Dover, I brought the perspective of all of this, because sometimes, we are forgotten. I brought the voice of the many who are tired of choosing food over the water or electric bill. Tired of being ignored or dismissed when they know their bodies are sick and disabled. Tired of fighting for a better education for their kids, and better resources for the kids with special needs. My multitude of intersections has helped me show those who have not had to struggle, what it looks like to fight for all rights and equity.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Ensuring their district and the communities within are able to thrive as well as making certain the policies passed bring the whole state closer to being a great place to live.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to leave knowing the world I worked on is one of equity, affirmation, and stability for the next generation.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The AIDS epidemic. I was around 8 or 9 and watched it ravage my community and take several family members.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My grandparents had been one of the first few Black owned small businesses and had a janitorial service. I helped them clean office buildings starting at age 9, but my first job, on my own, was working as a cashier at the local Dollar Tree. I was 14 when I took this job and stayed until I was 16, when I started work as a telemarketer for MNBA.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Any book from The Percy Jackson Series.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Elasti-girl from The Incredibles

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Thunder Bringer from Epic: The Musical (I love musicals)

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I recently learned I have MS. Losing control over my body has been hard for me. But, I also have amazing support and a great medical team. My colleagues have made ways for my world to be more accessible. I still go camping. I still work out. But most of all, I have learned to love my different body and continue to work hard to bring change.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Actively listening to each other and coming up with the best ways to pass policies that help all of Delaware.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Affordable housing, loss of providers and educators, and homelessness.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

No. I believe, in order to truly represent the people, we need people to come from all walks of life. Different perspectives and diversity are cornerstones to change.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Absolutely. I enjoy talking with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. We work together and I'm proud that the bills I have had go to the floor for a vote were all bipartisan.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Shirley Chisolm

I learned about her as a child and even dressed up as her for Halloween. She was truly a hero for many.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

No. Not really.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Yes. When I first got in, in 2022, I had a resident reach out to me about her disabled father. His outdoor wheelchair lift had been broken for a year and a half and she could not get anyone from Medicaid to help her. As someone who had faced off with Medicaid many years before, I knew how hard it could be. I got to work and kept her informed. When I learned they were coming to her house to check out the lift, I showed up. I got to know her and her father during this process and have become one of the family since. He got a brand new lift. He has me call him dad and the best part of this whole story is that they are not democrats. When he brought this up to me and said he was shocked I helped, I responded "I don't see your party. I see you as a person who needed my help." That's how I was raised and I'm glad to call them family.

Tell us your favorite joke.

How do you know a joke is a dad joke?

When it becomes apparent!

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

I believe we should be part of the conversation but ultimately, that responsibility comes from our Governor.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

I currently have a bill that will strengthen our accessible parking enforcement in the state. This bill is over a decade old and as someone who is disabled, is important for me to pass. It has passed committee but I have taken to working closely with all who will need to be involved to make it the best bill possible.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Delaware Stonewall PAC

Delaware Building Trades

Progressive Democrats for Delaware

DE Sierra Club

LGBTQ Victory Fund

LPAC

DSEA

AFSCME

What committees interest you?

The current ones I sit on are education, health and human development, and corrections. I really enjoy being part of these committees.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

As a therapist, transparency and accountability are very important for many aspects in life. In government, I believe this to be even more so, because we represent the people. We must show them we are genuine and coming to the table as our true and whole selves. Luckily, we were able to pass several bills that will address accountability and transparency in our government this last term and I was proud to vote 'yes' on all of them!

Would a state ballot initiative process be good or bad for your state?

There are some pros to having this as well as cons that we have seen happen in the country with state ballot initiatives. I am okay stating I'm not sure where I stand on this because of the uncertainty with how these measures have been handled in the past.

DeShanna Neal did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.