Georgia F. Allen

Editorial Summary

(from the candidate) Georgia is the daughter of the late Rev. Willie S. Beary and Williemae Beary-Coston. She is the youngest of nine children. Georgia has two children Gerald B. Allen and Niccole Y. Allen and two grandchildren. She has an Associate Degree in Computer Science and is pursuing her BS degree in Business at Virginia Wesleyan College. Georgia is currently employed at ALLTEL Communications in the Finance Department. Prior to working for ALLTEL she worked for several government contractors in the area of industrial security it afforded her the opportunity to live and work overseas in Lummen, Belgium. This European experience, which included travel to Paris, France, Amsterdam, Holland, Colon, Germany and many other foreign cities, gave Georgia a much broader view of people and cultures and a better perspective on how we are all much more alike than we are different. She learned that challenges and desires for a better quality of life are universal, and many times it transcends race or national origin. Sometimes it is very simply a matter of a few who have the capacity to impact the quality of life of many, but lack the desire or moral fiber to partner for the betterment of all. Partnering for a better, more equal quality of life for all has now been her passionate charge and mission for many years. Georgia has been actively involved in the community from youth to adulthood. She has participated in the American Cancer Relay for Life, March of Dimes, Junior Achievement, Princess Anne Rotary Club, Judeo Christian Center - Feeding the homeless, World Special Olympics, and many other volunteer and civic organizations. She has spoken at Bayside Middle School, Independence Middle School, Thalia Elementary School, and Booker T. Washington High School. Georgia has served as a member of the Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission, Princess Anne Rotary Club as Community Service Director, Chairperson of Staff Parish Committee for St. Luke's United Methodist Church, as well as Education Chair, Political Action Chair, Youth Council Advisor, and currently serves as President of the Virginia Beach Branch NAACP. Ms. Allen has always had a passion to work to make life better for her community and others. In her capacity as Human Rights Commission - subcommittee Chair of the Atlantis Community Outreach – she worked to reduce crime and a better quality of life was experienced by the members of the community. As President of the NAACP she continues to work diligently to increase the representation of African Americans in city positions, she continues to work to ensure that there is fair representation in the city, The Virginia Beach Branch has the first NAACP Branch office under the leadership of Ms. Allen. Always poised to "give and do more", and deeply concerned by the lack of Black representation in the city, she ran for the 83rd House of Delegates seat and garnered 40% of the vote as a first time candidate. Under Ms. Allen's leadership more African Americans are in Top 3 positions in the city than in the history of Virginia Beach. In the City's Finance Department and Economic Development Department an increase in African American employees is seen. The Convention Center for the first time in its history has an African American Vice President, Economic Development Department has its first Director of Economics.. All of these strides have taken place during the last 6 years. Until Ms. Allen came into the office of President very few departments if any had African Americans in management positions - they were delegated to Supervisory positions - regardless of education or experience. Ms. Allen believes in life long learning and has continued that effort by attending many training programs sponsored by TCC, FBI, Virginia Police Department, and Virginia Beach Housing Department. Prior to serving as President of the NAACP - Ms Allen worked diligently to assist candidates for gubernatorial races, State Senate and Delegate races as well as the U.S. Senate and Congressional races. All, in an effort to make a positive difference in the lives of the community.