Meet Roxy Ndebumadu, Candidate For Bowie District 4 Councilmember

BOWIE, MD — The office of mayor and six councilmembers for Bowie will be on the ballot Nov. 7. There are at least two or more candidates running for Districts 1-4 and the two at-large seats, including Roxy Ndebumadu. Two candidates are vying for the office of mayor.

Ndebumadu shared information with Patch about herself and her interest in running for office.

What position are you running for?
District 4 Councilmember, Bowie City Council

What ways can people contact you with questions?
My cell at (202) 733-8442 or email: roxy@roxyforbowie.com

Campaign website?
www.roxyforbowie.com

Age as of election day?
30 years old

Place of residence?
Bowie, Maryland, since 1999.

Family members?
My beautiful mother and Godmother who were the amazing women that supported raising me.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No, my mother is a pediatric nurse.

Education?
Bachelor of science from Howard University.

Occupation?
Founder and CEO of a software start-up

Previously held elected or appointed political positions?
My first time running for any elected office was in 2019 when I was first elected as the youngest woman to serve on the Bowie City Council and the first African American woman to represent District 4. I was appointed to two state boards: Waterworks and Affordable Housing; and one county board: African Diaspora Advisory Board to the county executive.

Why are you running for office?
I moved to Bowie in 1999 and growing up was a pretty difficult experience. We were new to homeownership and my mother was trying the best that she could to support our family. Ultimately, I was raised by this community and when there were moments when I felt like I couldn’t go on, the next door neighbor always protected me. But that’s not just my story, it’s the story of so many in the community. I’m running for re-election because I know just how prosperous this community can be. I want to build on the rich tapestry on diversity that we have win our community and take it to the next level using the unconventional approach of a political outsider.

The single most pressing issue facing voters is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.
We are not facing one single pressing issue. We are facing a pressing challenge with our ecosystem that is intertwined. In layman's terms, if we do not get education, infrastructure, crime, and economic development right in the foreseeable future, we will never have a balanced budget, lower taxes or a connected community. There are a few things that I would like to do to change this: bring a new STEAM focused school, leverage smart cities federal grants to get our roads improved (other avenues to accomplish our goals), proactively create economic districts in Bowie and start direct outreach to the businesses that we would like to see in Bowie.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
It’s true…. I am an outsider and I don’t think the same as my colleagues because throughout my entire life, I have had to learn how to get things done. I was never afforded no as an answer, I just had to figure out how to accomplish my goal and that’s what they get with me. By 30 years old, I have already reach heights that some can only dream of. I’m a hard worker and I truly in my heart believe that my community deserves nothing but the best and if we can not get what we deserve from those who are supposed to be working for us, I will find another entity who will at no cost to my community.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform. What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
Revitalization of existing shopping centers is high on my list. My accomplishments are as followed:

• Transportation improvements: turning lanes off 214, pedestrian crossing lights on Mount Oak, stop signs added, speed camera in D4, repaving of 301 and repaving of Mitchellville Rd including sidewalk addition.
• Economic development: Recruited many businesses that are in the process of signing letter of intents. Stores include Coopers Hawk, Sprouts Grocery, Top Golf, Alamo Drafthouse and Cinema, Matchbox and others.
• Education: In the final stages of bringing STEAM focused elementary and middle school to South Bowie. Leading the effort to bring Friendship Charter School to District 4, a school focused on STEAM education, prioritizing the preparation of our kids for the evolving 21st-century workforce.
• Workforce development: Created a workforce development program through a partnership with Rosetta Stone and Coursera for Bowie workforce.
• COVID-19 small business recovery: Created a program that allocated $200,000 to assist Bowie residents, families and small business during the pandemic.
• No tax increase: Stopped all proposed tax increases.

The best advice ever shared with me was:
“I got my start by giving myself a start.” - Madam CJ Walker

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I will always fight to give back to the community that saved my life and gave me everything.