What Matters to Nicole
Education
Nicole also works towards advocacy in education equality and believes that all students in public school have all the resources and opportunities they need to successfully transition to colleges, universities, and trade schools. "No child should be left behind on the basis that they are public school educated and should be afforded the same opportunities as that of private schools." As a mother of two daughters, Nicole understands how opportunities are not equitable and equally distributed. Life lessons along with fundamentals should be a part of every childs' curriculum in order to prepare them for life. Understanding financial fundamentals, work/life balance, and how to prepare for an interview are important and shouldn't be part of a particular vocation or study.
Mobilization
Nicole works as an advocate by building bridges between the city residents, nonprofits, youth organizations, and the Norfolk police department. She has been actively working to help end gun violence among the area youth and families by providing resources, organizing rallies and information to impacted residents. Nicole has witnessed the devastation impacting of the loss of youth through her daughters and decided to become even more involved in shedding light on the destruction of gun violence. The world loses the next Langston Hughes, W.E.B. Dubois, Bill Gates, Zora Neale Hurston, and a Kamala Harris to senseless gun violence. It is important to provide enriching programs, resources, and other opportunities that help curb gun violence and enhance our youths' lives.
Public Policy
The other passion in public policy is the redevelopment of businesses that are currently located in Norfolk and enticing new businesses to Norfolk and assisting Norfolk communities. As Commissioner of the Revenue, I believe that we can always find a way through legislation to encourage more businesses to the city while keeping current, thriving businesses in the area. Working together with the assessment office, mayor’s office, and city council; there are always options through public policy to change the landscape of underserved areas that suffer through food deserts, resources that aren’t available, and redevelopment of housing. It is up to me as your new Commissioner of the Revenue to build the #NewNorfolk!
Technological Advancements
Nicole believes that technology is not only the future, but the way of life in our "new normal." Nicole decided that the outdated and obsolete website form the office of the Commissioner, could be and do better for the residents of Norfolk, Virginia. By utilizing her B.S. in Information Technology from Hampton University, Nicole is at the forefront of technological advancements for Norfolk, especially for all Norfolk Public School System students as many do not have the same opportunities, enrichment, mentorship, sponsorship, resources, and technology.