DAUN SESSOMS HESTER

Daun Sessoms Hester is a lifelong resident of Norfolk, Virginia who has committed her life to serving her community, her city and the Commonwealth. She grew up in the Five Points area, where she graduated from Norview High School. She returned to her family home after college to begin a career in education and her role as a servant-leader.

Public Service

Hester currently serves as the Treasurer of the City of Norfolk and is the first female to lead the office. She was sworn in January 1, 2018.  She is a former member of the Virginia General Assembly, representing the Eighty-ninth House District, which is located entirely in the City of Norfolk and includes approximately 45% of the city’s population.  She was elected to the Virginia legislature in December of 2012.  In the House of Delegate’s she served on the Appropriations, Education and General Laws Committees.  She was appointed to the Virginia Commission on Youth, Virginia’s Joint Commission on Elementary and Secondary Education, Joint Commission on the future of Higher Education and the Jamestown/Yorktown Authority.

Prior to holding state office, Hester served on the Norfolk City Council from 1996 to 2010 representing Superward Seven, a district that includes 50% of Norfolk’s voters. She also served as Vice-Mayor between 2004 and 2008.

In her service to the citizens of Superward Seven, Hester advocated for equal opportunities for all, a vibrant city economy, healthy neighborhoods and she was a tireless voice for young people in Norfolk. Hester was instrumental in establishing the first “Norfolk Youth Council.”

In addition to holding elected office, Hester’s dedication to her home city includes serving on the Planning Council, a regional agency that serves children and families. She served as vice-chair for the Norfolk Economic and Community Business Development Committee. She chaired the City Council’s Task Forces for the Church Street/Huntersville neighborhoods and the Park Place/Lambert’s Point communities. She also served on the Southside, Five Points, and Fairmont Park Task Forces. The task forces guided neighborhood and commercial development.

Hester is a former member the Board of Visitors of Virginia State University.  Her eight years of service to her alma mater included holding the office of Secretary on the Executive Committee. She chaired Empowerment 2010 and was a member of the Board of the National League of Cities. She was also the co-chair for Norfolk United – Facing Race, a city-wide initiative to foster honest dialogue on race and reconciliation.

Hester is a former member of the National League of Cities (NLC). She is a former Board and Advisory Council member and served on the NLC Council on Youth, Education and Families Committee. She served on the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO), the National Forum of Black Public Administrators (NFBPA) and the Hampton Roads Conference of Minority Public Administrators (COMPA). She was a member of the Virginia Municipal League, the CIVIC Institute Alumni Association, Leadership Hampton Roads Alumni Association. She served on the Crispus Attucks Cultural Center Board of Directors. 

Daun serves as co-chair of Black Women for Positive Change, an international organization that works to “Change the Culture of Violence” and “Build the Middle Class.” She is a member of the Virginia State University Alumni Association - Tidewater Chapter and the National Council of Negro Women - Norfolk Chapter.  She is a partner at Mount Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church and a member of Norfolk Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Education

Hester has a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Virginia State University, granted Cum Laude, and holds a Master of Arts degree in Education and Human Development from George Washington University.

Professional Experience

Daun Hester is an educator with experience in instruction, administration and professional development. She worked in the Norfolk Public School System for twenty-two years. She was employed by EdisonLearning, Inc. as the Program Director of the Bridgescape Learning Academy in Norfolk. She is also the owner of Hester and Company, an education and training consulting firm that provides programs and consulting services in the areas of education, family, strategic planning and community improvement. Her firm has provided services to the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Chesterfield Public Schools, Norfolk State University and the Columbia Heights Community Development Corporation.

Honors & Awards

Daun Hester’s service and accomplishments have been frequently recognized. She was honored as the 2016 Legislative Champion for Children by the Champions for Children/Prevent Child Abuse Hampton Roads.  That same year she was given the Champion for Justice Award by the Virginia Association of Commonwealth’s Attorneys.  She has been honored as a Norfolk Public Schools Distinguished Alumni by the Norfolk Education Foundation.  The Young Professionals of the Urban League of Hampton Roads recognized her with the Silver Legacy Award for Education in 2011. Kappa Alpha Psi granted her the Community Service Achiever’s Award in 2008 and in 2007 St. Paul C.M.E. Church declared her a Lady of Distinction. She received the “Mary Helen Thomas” award from the YWCA for her contribution toward the elimination of racism in 2004. Also that year, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Tidewater Post 480, declared her “Citizen of the Year.” The following year Lambda Omega Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. declared her “2005 Citizen of the Year.” Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity named her “2001 Humanitarian of the Year” and the Urban League awarded Hester their Vivian C. Mason Meritorious Award.

Daun is married to Quincey Hester, Sr.  They have two sons and six granddaughters.