Ashford is currently the Executive Officer for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, which will involve designing and implementing initiatives and policies that address the academic and social and emotional needs of the district's diverse populations.

In this role he focuses on strengthening the district’s partnerships with organizations and individuals who serve MNPS students and oversee the strategy, design, and implementation of the school choice process through a lens of equity and inclusion.

He is the former Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, for the city Of Nashville and Davidson County. In this role he worked to implement the Mayor’s diversity and inclusion goals across Metro Government and lead the city’s efforts to attract, develop, promote, and retain a diverse government workforce at all levels.
Since 2005, Ashford has worked as a senior political staffer and consultant on numerous candidate, labor and issue based campaigns in Tennessee, South Carolina, Virginia, Mississippi, Florida and Massachusetts. During this period, he worked closely with State Legislative Democrat Caucus leadership on high profile Congressional and State House and Senate elections. His main focus has been political strategy, African American political outreach, candidate development, organizational and community development.

Education

Ashford has a Bachelor of Science Degree, with a concentration in Political Science, from Tennessee State University

Professional Affiliations

Ashford is a good standing member of Prince Hall Masonic Lodge #104 in Nashville, where he served as the past Chair to the organizations young men’s mentorship program and the District Director of P.R. He is an active member of the Shriners Organization, Prince Hall Affiliated.

Ashford is the Co-Chairman of the Nashville My Brother’s Keeper Network. The My Brother's Keeper Network is a coalition of public and private entities that work together to improve life outcomes for boys and young men of color through internal agency policy review, education and employment opportunities.

He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated, Eta Beta Sigma Chapter.
Ashford also serves on the board of the Tennessee Diversity Consortium and the Health Trust of Tennessee.