Mark Whitaker is a candidate for Portsmouth City Council. His name will appear on the ballot on November 5, 2024.
Whitaker is running against ten challengers for Portsmouth City Council. They are vying for three open seats.
The first day of in-person early voting at your local registrar’s office for this election is Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. Click here to see who is on your ballot.
10 On Your Side reached out to all of the candidates running in this race, with a request for a bio and a list of questions to answer. If you do not see the candidate listed with a profile, we did not receive one.
Biography: Dr. Mark Micaiah Whitaker is the third of four children born to Bishop James M. and Otelia McIntyre Whitaker of Portsmouth, VA and the grandson of the late Deacon Junious and Carrie Whitaker of the Lambert’s Point Community of Norfolk, VA via Scotland Neck, NC and the late Deacon Joseph and Etta McIntyre of the Mount Hermon Community of Portsmouth, VA. He is married to Dr. Ingrid Whitaker, who serves as a Tenured Associate Professor of Sociology at Old Dominion University. They are the proud parents of four children – James (2024 Law Degree – North Carolina Central University School of Law; 2019 Master’s Degree – Georgetown University; 2017 B.S. Sports Science/Business Administration – North Carolina A&T State University – Full Basketball Scholarship), Naomi (2020 Bachelor of Science – East Carolina University – Full Track Scholarship, Dean’s List; 2023 – Masters of Public Health – Emory University; Presently in the Ph.D. in Public Health – University of Maryland), Nathaniel (2023 B.A. Africana Studies, Morehouse College – Track Scholarship; Presently in Masters of Africana Studies program at Georgia State University) and Rachel (Sophomore – North Carolina Central University).
Dr. Whitaker was educated in the Portsmouth Public School System. In 1983, he graduated 4th in
his class with honors from the great Manor High School, was named the Most Valuable Basketball Player in the City of Portsmouth, Tidewater’s Most Valuable Player by the Virginian Pilot and First Team All-State Boys Basketball Team and was elected as President of the Student Government Association. He furthered his education at Virginia Tech where he was the recipient of a full-athletic scholarship in basketball, served as President of the Black Student Alliance, was listed as Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Virginia College Brother of the year 1987), and graduated from Virginia Tech in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Science. In 1989, Dr. Whitaker received a Master of Business Administration from The Pennsylvania State University Smeal College of Business. Moreover, in 1993, Dr. Whitaker received the Doctor of Jurisprudence (Law Degree) from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law where he served as President of the Black Law Students Association in 1992 and 1993 and served on the College of Law Honor Council. Dr. Whitaker has done further studying in the R.B. Pamplin College of Business Doctoral Program at Virginia Tech and the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology of Virginia Union in the Master of Divinity program.
In 1992, Dr. Whitaker was licensed as a minister and ordained in June of 1995. Dr. Whitaker serves as the Pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church in Portsmouth, VA where his father, the late Bishop James M. Whitaker served as the Pastor for 58 years (1964-2022) and his mother, Otelia McIntyre Whitaker, is the Minister of Music. For 25 years, Dr. Whitaker taught on the collegiate level at Virginia Tech in the R. B. Pamplin School of Business from 1993-1999 and at Hampton University from 1999 – 2018 where he earned Tenure and the rank of Associate Professor of Management in the School of Business.
In May 2002, Dr. Whitaker was elected to the Portsmouth Public School Board as the youngest person ever elected and served until December 2014. As a School Board Member, Dr. Whitaker served as chair of the Minority Contracting Committee and the Corporate Sponsorship committee. Moreover Dr. Whitaker was very instrumental in the School Board implementing a Minority and Women Business Enterprises Program, Middle School Athletics Program, Pay Equity Study, and in advocating for a culture of fairness and respect for all.
On Tuesday, November 4, 2014, Dr. Mark and Dr. Ingrid Whitaker made history by becoming the first married couple elected to Portsmouth City Council and Portsmouth School Board respectively. They speak TRUTH TO POWER advocating for Social and Economic justice.
Dr. Mark Micaiah Whitaker is one who believes that, through Christ, we can do all things. To God be the GLORY!
Why are you running for this office?
‘I am running for re-election to a 3rd term on the Portsmouth City Council. When I was elected to the Portsmouth City Council in 2014, my goal was to bring consciousness, equity, and justice to the policies passed by the City Council. My goal remains the same as I continue to address issues of social justice and equity through advocating for fully funding our schools, implementing minority contracting policies, demanding fair economic development, fighting against tax cuts for the rich, and addressing neighborhood safety from a public health and public safety perspective.
What is the top challenge facing Portsmouth, and how would you address it?
The top challenge facing Portsmouth is poverty. Because of intentional discriminatory policies and practices and lack of investment in certain communities, pockets of poverty exist throughout
Portsmouth. As a member of the Portsmouth City Council, I have advocated for policies to address poverty such as fully funding our schools, creating a Career and Technical Education center, and advocating for minority contracting policies that hold contractors accountable by incorporating audits and penalties to ensure minority contractors are treated fairly and included.
What is your view addressing the affordable housing crisis?
Affordable housing is a crisis because of intentional practices that seek to exclude certain classes of people from cities by focusing on high-end developments. Another deterrent to aƯordable housing is providing tax credits to developers that create obstacles for the Housing Authority to intervene. The Council must be more intentional in approving housing use permits that create a balanced housing stock in the city and address systemic issues of discrimination.
The city has a longstanding history of disfunction on City Council. How will you civilly work with your colleagues?
I am not aware of any scientific data concluding “the city has a longstanding history of disfunction on City Council.” During my tenure, the Portsmouth City Council:
- fully funded the budget request of the Portsmouth Public Schools Board;
- supported the creation of the Portsmouth Advanced Career Education program;
- passed a fiscally responsible budget;
- maintained excellent bond ratings;
- received audited financial statements for each fiscal year;
- enacted required ordinances and resolutions;
- approved funding to qualified residents through the American Rescue Plan Act;
- expanded youth resources;
- addressed fair economic development; and
- reasonably addressed the concerns of citizens.
I will continue to work as a conscious servant-leader.
What is your vision for the former Civic Center and Holiday Inn site in Olde Town Portsmouth?
I believe that the market should decide how the property is developed. Therefore, I would like to see an open invitation for developers to present ideas to the Council and Citizens similar to what Norfolk has done. By using such a process, I believe it allows for more creativity and opportunities for the city that goes beyond the vision of Council.
What is your view on taking money from individuals who will likely have business before the city?
I do not support such a practice.