Experience and Education
She was elected to Fairburn City Council on November 07, 2023. She is a native of Chicago, Illinois, the youngest of eight siblings, a proud mother of four children, and a grandparent of six.
Her persistence and commitment to self-improvement encouraged her to return to school. A high school dropout, she returned to school at the age of 30, obtained a GED from Kennedy King Community College, and moved on to achieve an Associate of Arts in Social Work degree from 2002 to 2004, becoming a first-generational college graduate, acknowledged as Who's Who Among Students in junior college and was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
Councilwoman Samantha L. Hudson has served as local school council chairperson for Chicago Public Schools, advocating for students with learning disabilities and school improvement.
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Understanding the importance of higher education and her deep passion for improving systems that negatively impact marginalized communities, Councilwoman Samantha L. Hudson continued her studies as a social worker at Northeastern Illinois University from 2004-2006. During this academic experience, she designed and conducted qualitative investigative research as a Ronald E. McNair Scholar.
The study sought to identify the nature and extent of treatment services offered to youth with co-occurring, co-existing mental health disorders and detained in juvenile justice settings. She earned a Bachelor of Social Work with a minor in Sociology and graduated Magna Cum Lade.
As a result, she received a full-tuition scholarship to attend the accelerated Whitney M. Young School of Social Work program from 2006-2007. Councilwoman Samantha L. Hudson completed the accelerated Master of Social Work degree and graduated with honors. She is currently completing her Doctor of Public Administration at Walden University
Serving the Community
A certified Georgia English/Language Arts special education teacher of five years, Councilwoman Samantha Hudson, celebrates success in increasing literacy rates of diverse learners. She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Vision Center of Hope, Inc., a human services non-profit.
Her philosophical belief is that "Change doesn't happen until we act." A collective voice that includes all of Fairburn encourages her policy to focus on rewriting the outdated city charter, innovative economic development, infrastructure improvement, environmental justice, equity, diversity, and quality of life.
As a social worker, educator, community advocate, and elected leader with over 20 years of public service, she celebrates wins in improving the quality of life for at-risk families, advocating against social injustices, and informing policy for educational equity. These efforts yielded success in the following areas:
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It increased permanency outcomes for children in foster care by 85%.
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She facilitated 100% student growth in literacy and writing during the 2021-2022 academic school year.
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She hosted the first 2022 Midterm Primary Election candidate forum in Fairburn, GA, with 17 confirmed and attended candidates.
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She organized water distribution in Fairburn, GA. Water crisis December 2022.
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She hosted Fairburn Family Fun Day, a community outreach initiative to engage disenfranchised Black voters.
Councilwoman Samantha L. Hudson is leading communities
through collective action.
Basic Priorities
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Updating the city charter to ensure that it represents the current makeup of the community.
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Establishing a strategic infrastructure plan for the city including a robust corporate social responsibility plan.
3
Ensuring that city leadership reflects the make-up of the Fairburn community.
Commitment to Fairburn
Charter Revision
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Educate and engage the community about the antiquated city charter and the reason it needs to be updated.
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Collaborate with the council to update the city charter to better reflect the needs of current demographics.
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Secure the support and approval of state legislators, who will have to vote to approve the updated charter.
City Infrastructure Strategy
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Collaborate with warehouse developers and the community to design an community-based corporate and social responsibility task force
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Offer an incentive structure for businesses to support and invest in local educational and social programs
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Advocate for warehouse developers/businesses to invest back into local infrastructure
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Establish a smart growth development plan for the city to be strategic about development in the landlocked Fairburn community
Reflective City Leadership
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Establish a culturally competent city government by recruiting diverse individuals to leadership positions
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Partnering with local school district and colleges to establish a pipeline for city employment
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Create internship programs at the city for local youth