Key Facts
Background
Ross-Hammond has a bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College, a master’s of music education from the College of New Jersey, and a Ph.D. in educational leadership, curriculum and instruction from the University of Denver. She also graduated from the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia. She has previously worked at Norfolk State University as a professor and Director of Service Learning and Civic Engagement. At Norfolk State University, Ross-Hammond was awarded the Distinguished Faculty Award [2, 3, 11, 14]. Ross-Hammond is a former Virginia Beach councilwoman [16].
Some of Ross-Hammond’s community service work includes being the Founder & Chairman of the Virginia African American Cultural Center, chairs the Mayor’s Inclusion Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Commission, chairs the Planning and New Starts Development Committee for Hampton Roads Transit, is the President Emeritus for the Young Audiences, Arts for Learning Virginia, President of the Virginia Beach Beautification Commission, Vice President for the State Community Services Board, and Commissioner for the State Children’s Cabinet Professionals [1, 2, 8, 11].
Ross-Hammond is a member of many professional organizations such as the Mayor’s African American Roundtable, the National Black Women for Positive Change Organization, the Black Brand Chamber of Commerce, and the American Association of University Women [1, 2].
Some examples of Ross-Hammond’s involvement on the City Council of Virginia Beach include the gifting of 4:83 acres of land to build the Cultural Center, the negotiation of $2.5 million for the Historic Kempsville District, the construction of Kempsville Road, and the establishment of the Business Entrepreneur Academy in the Virginia City Public School system. She also worked in collaboration with the VB Convention & Visitors Bureau to publish the city’s 1st Self-Guided Tour brochure of African American History in Virginia Beach [1, 2, 14, 15].
Ross-Hammond has been awarded many plaques, certificates, and other awards such as the late Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf’s Achievement in Government plaque from the VB Human Rights Commission, the “Impacting Lives Award” from the New Journal & Guide, and others from institutions such as the Virginia Beach Human Services Department, the Les Gemmes Nonprofit Civic Organization, and the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars. In addition, she has received a “Letter of Commendation” for her community service from Congresswoman, Elaine Luria, and Resolution of Accomplishments declared December 13, 2016, as “Amelia N. Ross-Hammond Day” by the City of Virginia Beach [1, 2].
Key Issues
Community
Ross-Hammond seeks to increase cultural arts amenities with a military presence and to establish an office for Inclusion and Diversity. She supports the Tourism Investment Program [2].
Economy
Ross-Hammond aims to maintain Virginia City’s triple AAA bond rating. She seeks to develop more high-quality employment opportunities in Virginia Beach by working with higher education, the business community, and other industries such as offshore wind [2, 3, 15].
Education
Ross-Hammond seeks to fully fund public schools, including full-day kindergarten, increase teachers’ salaries in order to improve teacher retention, and fund capital projects like Princess Anne Middle School [1, 3, 15].
Environment
Ross-Hammond seeks to continue discussions about the environment and the preservation of open space. She supports the Agriculture Reserve Program and hopes to pass the Flood Mitigation Bond Referendum with a stipulation for a one time use and apply for state or federal grants in the future [2, 14].
Housing
Ross-Hammond seeks to continue the city’s current strategies for providing affordable housing by working with the Virginia Beach Community Development Corporation to repurpose the housing stock. She also seeks to include affordable housing in new office, retail and industrial developments, such as in the Bio-Tech Park and Princess Anne Commons [2, 3].
Public Safety
Ross-Hammond supports the council’s approved raises for police officers and other staff, and the purchase of more resources and body cameras. She wants to work on adding more mental health responders to ride along with police officers [1].
Transportation
Ross-Hammond aims to provide infrastructure for public transportation which would allow access for scooters, bikes, pedestrian walkways, and automobiles. She seeks to increase electrification of buses, improve technology for farebox transactions, and increase bus shelters and Park ‘N’ Ride station. Ross-Hammond supports the Residential Parking Permit Program [2, 3, 14].
Veterans/Seniors
Ross-Hammond plans to enhance current services for veterans and senior citizens [3].
Endorsements
Virginia Beach Democratic Committee
Sources
1 Letter of Interest
2 Virginia African American Cultural Center
3 Ballotpedia
4 VPAP
5 Linkedln
6 Hampton Roads Transit
7 WAVY
8 3 WTKR
9 flickr
10 Facebook
11 The Princess Anne Independent News
12 Yahoo! Finance
13 Twitter
14 The Movement
15 The Virignian Pilot
16 Virginia Beach Democratic Committee
17 Amelia Ross-Hammond for Virginia Beach City Council