Kamillah M. Hanks

Kamillah M. Hanks is a native Staten Islander, who has been a leader and advocate for smart growth and positive economic development in the North Shore of Staten Island for the past decade. Ms. Hanks is  currently the founder and president of the Historic Tappen Park Community Partnership, Inc., where she partners with civic leaders, businesses, community groups and schools to boost cultural and economic development in the Stapleton area and surrounding community. 

In January 2015, the Historic Tappen Park Community Partnership was named one of seven winners of New York City’s “Neighborhood Challenge” award, which granted the local community-based organization $70,000, for its ambitious district-wide marketing campaign, and public art installation project called, “Illuminate Stapleton.” 

She currently serves as interim president of the Van Duzer Street Civic Association in Stapleton, and was the former executive director of the Downtown Staten Island Council, helping to lead the organization’s effort to bring greater economic development to the Island’s North Shore. She also served on the City Council Districting Commission in 2012. Ms. Hanks worked in public relations at the Staten Island Museum, the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation and Stanton Crenshaw Communications. 

In 2009, Ms. Hanks was the National Council of Negro Women Honoree as well as an SIEDC 20 Under 40 Leadership Award Winner. She is also an alumna of Coro Neighborhood Leadership Program NYC, which provides its participants in the commercial revitalization field with the resources they need to address complex challenges within their neighborhoods. 

In 2001, Ms. Hanks worked with producers and starred in a Staten Island documentary short film, “Ferry Tales,” which was nominated for an Academy Award in 2004. 

Staten Island Borough President James Oddo appointed Ms. Hanks in February 2014 to serve as Staten Island’s representative to the New York City Panel for Education Policy. Ms. Hanks resides in Stapleton Staten Island with her four children.