Kamillah Hanks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kamillah Hanks
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| Member of the New York City Council from the 49th district |
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| Assumed office January 1, 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Debi Rose |
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| Born | September 4, 1972 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | College of Staten Island |
Kamillah M. Hanks (born September 4, 1972) is an American politician. She is a member of the New York City Council. She represents the 49th District on the North Shore of Staten Island.
The 49th District includes many neighborhoods. These are Arlington, Clifton, Clove Lakes, Concord, Elm Park, Graniteville, Livingston, Mariners Harbor, New Brighton, Port Richmond, Randall Manor, Rosebank, St. George, Snug Harbor, Silver Lake, Stapleton, Sunnyside, West Brighton, and Tompkinsville.
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About Kamillah Hanks
Kamillah Hanks has lived on Staten Island her whole life. She is also a mother of four children.
Education and Early Career
Hanks went to Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School. This school is known for music, art, and performing arts. Later, she studied marketing and finance at the College of Staten Island.
Before becoming a politician, Hanks worked in different community roles. She was part of the New York City Council Districting Commission. This group helps decide the boundaries for city council districts. She also served as the leader of the Van Duzer Civic Association in Stapleton. She was also the executive director of the Downtown Staten Island Council.
Hanks also worked as a public relations consultant. She helped with communications for the Staten Island Museum. She also worked for the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation.
Community Work
In 2012, Kamillah Hanks started the Historic Tappen Park Community Partnership. This group helps take care of and improve Tappen Park on Staten Island. In 2014, she was chosen by Staten Island Borough President James Oddo to join the New York City Panel for Educational Policy. She represented Staten Island on this panel until 2016.
Hanks also created the first YouthBuild program on Staten Island. This program helps young adults who are not working or in school. It gives them job training, leadership skills, and life skills.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, she worked with local businesses. She also partnered with YouthBuild participants. Together, they made over 5,000 face shields. These shields were given to firefighters, first responders, and medical staff in New York City.
In July 2020, Hanks also helped start the Minority Women in Business Association of Staten Island. This group supports businesses owned by minority women.
New York City Council Role
In November 2021, Kamillah Hanks was elected to the New York City Council. She now represents the 49th District.
Committee Work
As a City Council member, Hanks has important roles. She is the Chair of the Committee on Public Safety. This means she leads discussions about keeping the city safe. She also serves on several other committees:
- Committee on Civil Service and Labor
- Committee on Education
- Committee on Environmental Protection
- Committee on Finance
- Committee on Land Use
- Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises
As the Public Safety Committee Chair, she has led meetings on important topics. These include how to reduce gun violence and how the city responds to hate crimes.
Supporting Businesses and Healthcare
In March 2022, during Women's History Month, she hosted Staten Island's first Women in Business Expo. This event highlighted businesses owned by women on Staten Island. Over 60 local businesses showed their products and services.
In 2023, Hanks worked with other Staten Island City Council Members. These were David Carr and Joe Borelli. She also worked with City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. They helped get $7 million in funding. This money was for expanding the NICU and PICU at Richmond University Medical Center. NICU and PICU are special units for babies and children who need intensive care.
In 2024, Hanks shared her thoughts on the "City of Yes" plan. This plan aimed to increase housing in New York City. It suggested changes like allowing more housing units near transit stations. It also proposed making it easier to turn empty office buildings into homes. Hanks felt that any housing plan should be carefully considered. She said it should "maybe use a scalpel as opposed to a hammer." This means she preferred small, precise changes rather than big, sweeping ones.
