Interview of Sharifa Wilson by Gina Elisha Sudaria for the 2026 Standing on the Shoulders of Giants event produced by JobTrain for Black History Month. Topics include: Gina, current Ravenswood City School District Supervisor introducing Sharifa, an educator, a school board member, city council member and mayor; the phrase “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants; the giants whose shoulders she stood on – her parents and Barbara Mouton; how her career as an educator led to her involvement in government; stepping into leadership in the early 1990’s when EPA was the murder capital; the resilience and love and spirit of family in the community; her legacy; what inspires her to continue the work; the lessons that she has learned that affect her leadership style today; and her advice for future leaders.