With less than three months to the General Election, and less than a month to the Primary Election, What’s Up Newp begins its comprehensive coverage of not only elections in Newport County, but also key statewide legislative races.
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Here we share an election profile for Angela McCalla who is seeking re-election on Newport City Council Ward 1.
Angela McCalla
Campaign website: angelamccalla.com
Government/political history
Newport City Council, First Ward, since 2018
Previous political/government elected offices held, and years: N/A
Previous or current appointed government positions (including boards and commissions):
- Affirmative Action Commission
- School Liaison Committee
- Energy & Environment Commission
- Legislative Liaison
- Miantonomi Park Commission
- Newport Public Education Foundation
- North End Zoning Working Group.
Political Party Affiliation in 2020: Democrat
Previous political party affiliation if different from above: N/A
As an incumbent, I am most proud of:
I supported the Bond Issue for our schools, safe streets for our neighborhoods, protecting access to the waterfront, Mobile Food Trucks, the Fair Chance Licensing Act, and a resolution condemning Hate Speech and the need for implicit bias training for all city employees. I have also supported opportunities with green initiatives for Newport, Green Energy aggregation, Green Infrastructure in the North End, and the Municipal Resiliency Program. Besides my work on the Council, I am proud to be the only woman of color that has served on the City Council in over 50 years and I am the first LGBTQIA female representative to the council.
If elected my three top goals are:
My vision for the City has three elements.
- First, the City must put the needs of its residents first. All economic development initiatives must be considered in the prism of how it will affect our residents and our neighborhoods before we allow any new projects.
- Second, we need to restore the quality of our public schools. We have let them slip into a state of disrepair that is simply unacceptable. We need to start by supporting our school construction bond this November.
- Third, we need to immediately create a plan to reduce the tax burden for owner occupied homes in Newport. Let us look to immediately put in place some form of a homestead exemption that can reduce the burden for our home owning residents.
Employment and Education
My current employment, including title, is Foster Care Recruiter and Trainer for Child & Family
Schools and degrees:
Bachelor’s degrees in psychology and chemical dependency/addiction studies from Rhode Island College, and a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in finance.
Awards of recognitions associated with work:
Girl Scouts of Southern New England Leading Women of Distinction, 2020
Community
Non-profit community organization affiliations and any leadership positions:
Born to Rise- (2020)- Member/ Guest Speaker/storyteller- a nonprofit community of women who are on a mission to make positive change in the world by stepping into the feminine energies of compassion, empathy and courage for themselves and others through storytelling.
North End Neighborhood Association (N.E.N.A) (2018-current) To teach and empower residents of the North End to voice their concerns, share resources, and provide an easier way of keeping residents more connected and informed.
The Point Neighborhood Association: (2018-current)- Member
Democratic City Committee (2018-current)
Rhode Island Parent Advisory Council Member– Newport Public Schools (2018- current): Meetings held by the Newport Public Schools to help educate parents about policies and procedures in the school system and connecting parents to school administration.
Lucy’s Hearth, Middletown, RI, Board Member (9/2016-12/2018) Establish, assess, and maintain the financial stability of the program and its strategic goals in relation to providing shelter and services for families and their children affected by economic hardship, family crisis, divorce, and domestic violence.
Sankofa Connections Newport, RI, Board Member (6/2016-6/2018) Initiate and engage the residents of Newport County through community engagements with discussion of racial oppression, institutional racism, and to promote the African American cultural heritage from early Newport.
Rhode Island Korean American Association, Volunteer (2012- 2017) Celebrate, honor, and promote Korean culture in Rhode Island.
Steven K. Latimer Foundation, Volunteer (2015, 2016) The Foundation holds the SKL Memorial 5k Families Against Violence run/walk to raise funds to provide educational scholarships to children in Rhode Island who have lost a parent, guardian or loved one due to an act of violence.
Rhode Island Young Professionals Providence, RI, Treasurer (12/15-12/18 Mission is to provide economic empowerment, educational opportunities, and a guarantee of civil rights for African Americans and underserved communities. Under the direction of the Finance Committee Board of Directors and the Executive Committee duties include: To collect, receive, and disperse funds of RIYP. Develop and communicate monthly reports and accounts of the financial condition of RIYP.
Off the Curb Outreach Program, Volunteer (2015) A non-profit organization designed to provide an alternative for developing positive prosocial skills through dance and art.