Tamara L. Shewmake is a native of the City of Portsmouth, VA. She graduated from the Historic I. C. Norcom High School in 2000, where she received her Advanced Diploma. She is a graduate of Norfolk State University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and graduated Cum Laude with a M.B.A. in 2010. Tamara is the mother of three beautiful children (Nia, Nyle and Nyla), one who has recently graduated from Churchland High School, and the remaining two currently attend Portsmouth Public Schools.

She spent her early years in the field of banking and later transitioned into the federal, local and state sector. Tamara served on a number of boards over the past 10 years; from being the youngest board member of Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia to becoming an elected board member. On November 6, 2018, Honorable Tamara L. Shewmake was elected to the City of Portsmouth School Board. In fact, she was the only woman listed on the City of Portsmouth ballot to win a seat that year. Early literacy, financial literacy and vocational training was her campaign platform, and she is dedicated to every entity being improved upon while elected. Honorable Shewmake has committed to ensuring an equal and high quality education for all children throughout the City of Portsmouth.

She owns Furtherance Consulting LLC, one of the owners of We Buy the Block, and co-owner of Virginia Business Initiative. In 2021, Tamara was one of the honorees of Inside Business Top 40 under 40, and named Cultural Ambassador at the Prestigious Women of Portsmouth Ceremony.

Since elected, she has successfully advocated locally, statewide and federally for teacher raises. She strongly advised for PPS to implement a mental health program, and through her advocacy birthed PPS “Here to Help”. Honorable Shewmake recommended for the CTE programs to have pathways to guide students towards a certification or licensure upon graduation, and now PPS provides CTE Pathways to give all students an opportunity to have a career upon graduation.

“It’s easier to see the bigger picture, when we all work together.”

— Honorable Tamara L. Shewmake

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