DR. RICHARD MASON, Chair
rmason@hampton.k12.va.us
757-302-5377
Elected 7/1/18

 

Occupation: Associate Professor, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor

 

Education: BA Hampton University, MA Hampton University, EdS College of William & Mary, PhD Regent University

 

Family: Wife, Dr. Kellie A. Mason, PhD; son, Richard M. Mason, III (Kecoughtan HS c/o 2017)

 

Community organizations/affiliations: Ivy Baptist Church; Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; 100 Black Men of the Virginia Peninsula; Hampton Branch NAACP; VA Counselors Association

 

Why did you decide to run for election to the Board? 
Across the country, we see gun violence, mass shootings and school-related incidents every day on the news. At the root of all of this is mental health. When we evaluate the perpetrator, there is often some underlying issue of mental health. These senseless tragedies have a great effect on the community and the youth. The traumatic experiences that our children often face are not managed effectively in most cases. When I looked at Hampton City Schools, I felt a strong sense of urgency and concern for a comprehensive mental health plan. As I looked at the current makeup of the School Board members, each of them were experts in various fields and there was no one with the expertise in mental health. It is my goal as a member of the School Board to bring awareness to the mental health issues that are faced in our schools and communities. Further, I would like to have a fully integrated comprehensive mental health plan for the school division that speaks to prevention, intervention, treatment and re-entry services for our children.

 

In your opinion, what are the three greatest strengths of HCS? 

1. Visionary Leadership
2. Hardworking School Board
3. Parent Support

How do you see yourself personally contributing to HCS?
My background in mental health and counseling will help in understanding the policies and procedures that are necessary to service the student population as a whole but especially those with special needs. Additionally, I can also help with the development and understanding of policies that affect the teachers and employees in the division.

 

DR. TINA BANKS-GRAY, Vice Chair
tbanksgray@hampton.k12.va.us
(757) 525-9722
Elected 7/1/20

 

Occupation: Neighborhood Centers Manager, City of Hampton

 

Education: BA Marketing Management and MBA Project Management, Bellevue University; Doctorate of Education with a concentration in leadership and administration, Bradley University

 

Family: Daughter, Niya Gray (Hampton City Schools honors graduate c/o 2015)

 

Community organizations/affiliations: Hampton City Schools Academies of Hampton Leadership Steering Committee, Former Hampton City Schools PTA Member and PTSA Officer, Keeping Our Kids Safe Initiative Member, Former City of Hampton Neighborhood Commissioners District 4, Peninsula Rotary Club of Virginia, Virginia Technology and Engineering Education Association, Virginia Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel, Mid-Eastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated

 

Why did you decide to run for election to the Board?
I have a heart for our young people and a heart for our City. I have over 25 years of experience as an educator and in leadership positions with community-based organizations. With the support and encouragement of my community constituents, I decided to run for the Hampton City School Board to ensure that all students are ready to compete and be successful in the 21st century workforce.

 

In your opinion, what are the three greatest strengths of HCS?  

1. HCS is fortunate to have a Superintendent that is innovative and proactive. I am proud to see that HCS is on the cutting edge of 21st century educational and leadership models.
2. HCS-Academies of Hampton are preparing our students for the workforce and to be career ready.
3. The City of Hampton has a community that rallies around HCS to ensure that we uphold our mission of ensuring academic excellence for every child, every day, whatever it takes.

How do you see yourself personally contributing to HCS?   
I am a firm believer of service above self. It is vital to leave this world empty. I want to pour everything that is in me and give it back by serving my community to the fullest. 

I want to contribute effective policy decisions for Hampton City Schools and local neighborhoods to strengthen and better align resources to ensure academic excellence for all communities.

 

STEPHANIE JACKSON AFONJA
sjacksonafonja@hampton.k12.va.us
(757) 757-826-0888
Elected 7/1/20

 

Occupation: Owner-Family Restoration Services, LLC (13 years) and Holistic Family Solutions, INC. (7 years)

 

Education: BS Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University; MA Clinical/Community Psychology, Norfolk State University; Post-Graduate Courses in Professional Counseling, Liberty University

 

Family: Husband, Adetokunboh Afonja; three children, William C. Jackson III (Bethel High School c/o 2020), Jada N. Jackson (Bethel High School), and Ayoni A. Afonja (kindergarten)

 

Community organizations/affiliations: Chair Elect Hampton Neighborhood Commission, Hampton NAACP Member, Board Secretary for Girls Influenced by Righteous Living Club (G.I.R.L.S. Club), Hampton Complete Count Committee

 

Why did you decide to run for election to the Board?
I grew up in Hampton and attended Hampton City Schools. I have three children that have or will be educated in this school division. I have personal experience with accessing special education services for my child. I am energized by the tremendous progress in our division and am excited about joining such a progressive team. My knowledge about child development, mental health and services, passion for equitable education for all students, especially those with disabilities, experience in board and team participation and education in human service inspired me to run for this office.

 

In your opinion, what are the three greatest strengths of HCS?

1. Leadership
2. Staff
3. The Academies

How do you see yourself personally contributing to HCS?
I have worked with youth for over 23 years in varying capacities. I have developed, managed and improved numerous services for youth that are strength based and solution focused. I have often supported parents, of disabled youth, to successfully obtain the right compliment of support for their children. I have over 17 years of Board and team experience, contributing direct knowledge and skills to the success of these Boards. Moreover, I’d like to help the business community and schools develop more meaningful relationships and I believe I can be very instrumental in this due to my vast business experience. I am a servant leader who believes in creating endless possibilities for the success of all students.

 

ANN CHERRY
acherry1@hampton.k12.va.us
(757) 826-4408
Elected 7/1/16

 

Occupation: Retired Executive Director of Public Relations & Marketing, Hampton City Schools         

 

Education: BA Business Administration, West Virginia State University; MA Public Administration, Golden Gate University     

 

Family: Husband, Alonzo Cherry; two adult daughters; five grandchildren

 

Community organizations/affiliations: Member, Citizens Policy Advisory Board; VP/Education Chair, Hampton Branch NAACP; Member, First Baptist Church, E.E.

 

Why did you decide to run for election to the Board?  
Since retiring from Hampton City Schools, I have been asked by many community leaders to seek a seat on the school board. After seeing the many challenges affecting public education today, I decided not to sit on the sidelines but rather bring my talents, resources and 17 years of experience as a school division administrator to the table.

In your opinion, what are the three greatest strengths of HCS?  

1. A Superintendent who is willing to listen.
2. Caring teachers who want what is best for students.
3. A community that desires to be involved with HCS.

How do you see yourself personally contributing to HCS?   
As a product of Hampton City Schools, my commitment to quality education began well over 30 years ago, while serving as a Board member of the Peninsula Literacy Council. My campaign theme, “Breaking Barriers, Building Futures”, speaks to my major interests, which include the critical need for total transparency throughout the school division, incorporating best practices that will ensure all our schools are fully accredited, and addressing teachers’ salaries. I plan to use my consensus-building and communication skills to work with other members of the Board to help foster success on all levels. 

 

JOSEPH C. KILGORE (JOE)
jkilgore@hampton.k12.va.us
(757) 850-8723
Elected 7/1/10

 

Occupation: Engineering Manager, Newport News Shipbuilding

 

Education: BS Mechanical Engineering, Old Dominion University

 

Family: Wife, Kathy; daughters, Ashley and Jillian; son, Will

 

Community organizations/affiliations: Willow Oaks Recreational Association and First United Methodist Church, Hampton

 

Why did you decide to run for election to the Board?
I decided to run for the School Board because I am passionate about effectively educating our children.  Our children and staff deserve the very best schools we can provide.

 

In your opinion, what are the three greatest strengths of HCS?

1. Great mission statement - Every Child, Every Day, Whatever it Takes
2. Outstanding schools, administrators, teachers and support personnel committed to educating our children with a strong focus on parent involvement and community engagement
3. A common focus on maximizing student achievement

How do you see yourself personally contributing to HCS?
I feel I can contribute by collaborating with the Board to ensure the performance goals of the superintendent are effectively established and clearly communicated. I also feel it is important that we, as a Board, support the Division's strategic goals. I will expand my knowledge of issues related to public education.

 

JASON S. SAMUELS
jsamuels@hampton.k12.va.us
(757) 749-6605
Elected 7/1/14

 

Occupation: Program Manager, Hampton School Age Programs

 

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Norfolk State University, Leadership Certificate, Academy for Nonprofit Excellence at Tidewater Community College, University of South Florida, Muma College of Business Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate.

 

Family: Wife, Keisha M. Samuels; two children

 

Community organizations/affiliations: I have served the City of Hampton with the Department of Human Services as a Social Worker in many capacities to include Foster Care, Child Protective Services, and Adult Services. In addition, I currently serve on various local, regional, state and national councils and boards to include Hampton Neighborhood Commission: District 8 Commissioner (Capacity Committee, Neighborhood and Schools Committee), Hampton City School’s Rights and Responsibilities Committee, PTA member of Armstrong Elementary & Phoebus High School, Downtown Hampton Kiwanis Club, Downtown Hampton Exchange Club, Crowne Pointe Home Owner Association (President), Hampton Triad, Hampton Senior Citizen Advisory Council,  Peninsula Agency on Aging Advisory Council (Past Chairman), Peninsula Agency on Aging Board of Directors (Past Member), Virginia/DC Board of Director Senior Corp Association (President), National Association of Foster Grandparent Program Director Board, Peninsula 100 Black Man, Inc., Aberdeen Historic Civic Association, Hampton Branch of the NAACP and a member of Ivy Baptist Church.

 

Why did you decide to run for election to the Board?
My desire to run for the Hampton School Board is based on my passion to ensure that ALL of Hampton’s young people - without regards to race, gender, religion, background or socio-economic status - have access to, and receive innovative, quality and equal education to ensure their success. I believe we must always be in the mode of insisting on continuous improvement for our students, which is something our children and families of Hampton all deserve.

 

In your opinion, what are the three greatest strengths of HCS?

1. A division with schools of choice that prepare students for lifelong learning
2. A strong and effective strategic plan that serves as a road map for success into the 21st century 
3. A career focused school division that provides its employees the opportunity to advance their career and place priority on fostering and sustaining relationships within the community with students, families, and the business community

How do you see yourself personally contributing to HCS?
By utilizing my leadership skills as a program director and social worker to have open and honest conversations with parents, teachers, stakeholders, investors, administrators and fellow School Board members, to identify the much-needed resources necessary to support our young people and our schools.

 

DR. REGINALD WOODHOUSE
rwoodhouse@hampton.k12.va.us
(757) 224-1515
Elected 7/1/16

 

Occupation:  Senior Pastor - First Baptist Church Jefferson Park, Newport News; President – Providence Bible College & Theological Seminary, Norfolk

 

Education: Bachelors in Urban Ministry Management, Geneva College; Masters in Divinity, Virginia Union University; Masters in Theology, Roanoke Theological Seminary; Doctor of Ministry, Providence Bible College & Theological Seminary, Doctor of Healthcare Administration

 

Family:  Wife, Sheila S. Woodhouse; children – Tawanda, Cornell, Candice, Alysha and Reginald; seven grandchildren

 

Community Organizations/Affiliations:  Tidewater Peninsula Baptist Association – Moderator, Newport News Public School Superintendent Roundtable, Peninsula Free Clinic Board Executive Board, Past memberships: Office of Human Affairs (Chair), Hampton Grievance Committee, Urban League of Hampton Roads (Executive Board), Heart Association (Chair), Mayor’s Taskforce on Drugs (City of Chesapeake), Governor Commission on Crime

 

Why did you decide to run for election to the Board?
I decided to run for the Hampton School Board for several reasons: 1) It is an opportunity to share my knowledge and life experience to benefit the children and citizens of Hampton. 2) It affords me the opportunity to represent different groups in the community and I can ensure that others have a voice in making educational and administrative decisions. (3) As a member, I can be a channel for the concerns and interests of teachers and parents.  

 

In your opinion, what are the three greatest strengths of HCS?

1. Strong and professional administrators and teachers
2. High level of parent and community involvement and support
3. Broad curriculum that is available to all of our students

How do you see yourself personally contributing to HCS?
I see myself serving as a liaison between the School Board, the community and other investors. I believe in a quality education for current and future students; therefore, I will work tirelessly to help to improve the quality of Hampton City Schools.

Student Representatives