Kamillah M. Hanks
NYC Council Member · Since 2022
What This Office Can Do
- Proposes and votes on city laws
- Approves or rejects the city budget
- Holds agencies accountable through public hearings
- Directs discretionary funds to local projects
Background
Kamillah M. Hanks is a lifelong Staten Islander and proud mother of four with nearly two decades of dedication to advancing smart growth and economic opportunity on the North Shore. She founded the Historic Tappen Park Community Partnership in 2012 and established Staten Island's first YouthBuild program, securing $1.1 million from the U.S. Department of Labor. Elected in 2021 as Council Member for Staten Island's North Shore, she has delivered more than $98 million in funding for schools, parks, health care, and community initiatives.
- Career
- Marketing, finance, and community advocacy professional with over 20 years of experience in public and private sectors
- Education
- Background in marketing and finance from the College of Staten Island
Policy Priorities
- Youth Workforce Development — Founded Staten Island's first YouthBuild program, creating pathways to vocational training, education, and job readiness for young adults; secured a $1.1 million U.S. Department of Labor grant in 2018.
- Economic Revitalization — Founded the Historic Tappen Park Community Partnership in 2012 to drive cultural and economic revitalization in Stapleton and surrounding neighborhoods.
- Women and Minority Business Equity — Founded the Minority Women in Business Association of Staten Island in 2020 to address inequities and expand opportunities for women of color in business.
- Community Funding — Delivered more than $98 million in funding for schools, parks, health care, and community initiatives since being elected in 2021.
- COVID-19 Community Response — Partnered with local businesses and YouthBuild participants during the COVID-19 pandemic to produce and donate more than 5,000 face shields to first responders and health care workers.
Issue Stances
Sourced from public statements, council votes, and news coverage via AI research. Verify with primary sources.
Issue Stances
Legislative Record
A Local Law to amend the New York city fire code, in relation to remote monitoring and independent inspections of certain energy storage systems
Resolution calling upon the United States Congress to pass, and the President to sign, H.J.Res.80/S.J.Res.38, establishing the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment
Establishing ferry service at Canarsie Pier
A Local Law in relation to workforce stabilization payments for school paraprofessionals, and providing for the repeal of such local law upon the expiration thereof
Requiring the department of parks and recreation to publish tree maintenance prioritization ratings
A Local Law to amend the New York city charter and the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to eligibility for and access to special vehicle identification parking permits
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the City of New York and the New York city building code, in relation to the creation of a groundwater flood risk area map
A public education campaign on HPV, expanding access to HPV self-testing kits, and healthcare provider training on cultural competency and implicit bias
Conduct & Ethics
Five current and former employees filed workplace complaints against Hanks' office, including allegations of retaliation, religious discrimination, and management misconduct, with grievances submitted to the City Council's equal employment opportunity officer and union.
Source →Data sourced from NYC Legistar, NYC Campaign Finance Board, NYC Conflicts of Interest Board, and curated public records. This page is a permanent record of Kamillah M. Hanks's service in District 49.