Annapolis City Council Aldermanic Candidate Profile: Diesha Contee, Ward 6

November 01, 2025

Annapolis City Council Aldermanic Candidate Profile: Diesha Contee, Ward 6

Report Annapolis News has asked various candidates currently seeking office on the Annapolis City Council to participate in a question and answer profile ahead of the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. In this profile, our readers are introduced to Ms. Diesha Contee, ward 6 aldermanic candidate:

Website: annapolis.gov/Diesha-Contee

Email Address: dieshaforward6@gmail.com

How would you improve the quality of life for residents and their families?

In Ward 6, our families have carried this city for generations, yet we’ve too often been the last to benefit from its growth. Improving quality of life means investing directly in people not just projects. I will work to ensure access to safe neighborhoods, affordable housing, clean environments, and youth programs that create opportunity. For me, quality of life is about dignity, fairness, and the ability for every family in Ward 6 to thrive where they live.

How would you prioritize improving the quality of life for marginalized communities?

Real progress begins where inequity has been ignored. In Ward 6, that means centering working-class Black families, seniors, and single parents who’ve been systematically overlooked. I will fight for equity-based budgeting that directs city resources according to need, not convenience. Every policy should answer one question: Does this lift the people at the bottom first? If not, it must be rewritten.

What action would you take to address reparative justice and creating an Office of Freedmen Affairs?

For the descendants of the Old Fourth Ward, and many Annapolitans repair is not optional it’s owed. The harm was deliberate, and so must be the repair. I support the creation of an Office of Freedmen Affairs to lead truth and reconciliation work, preserve the legacy of displaced Black residents, and direct resources toward homeownership, business support, and community restoration. Annapolis cannot celebrate its history while ignoring the people who built it.

How would you improve the quality of life for residents and their families?

How would you prioritize improving the quality of life for marginalized communities?

What action would you take to address reparative justice and creating an commission of Freedmen Affairs?

For the descendants of the Old Fourth Ward, and many Annapolitans repair is not optional it’s owed. The harm was deliberate, and so must be the repair. I support the creation of an Commissions of Freedmen Affairs to lead truth and reconciliation work, preserve the legacy of displaced Black residents, and direct resources toward homeownership, business support, and community restoration. Annapolis cannot celebrate its history while ignoring the people who built it.

What are your solutions for housing affordability, including homeownership, rental costs, and workforce housing?

People in Ward 6 are being priced out of the neighborhoods, some of which their families built. I will fight for policies that keep housing affordable and ownership attainable including rent caps tied to local wages and CPI, expanded down-payment assistance, and community land trusts that preserve Black homeownership. Housing justice is about more than shelter; it’s about protecting the roots of our community.

Given traffic congestion and limited parking, how would you improve public transportation and address downtown parking issues?

Reliable transportation is essential for working families in Annapolis. I will advocate for expanded bus routes that actually connect neighborhoods to jobs, schools, and essential services, along with fare-free rides for seniors and youth. I also support resident-priority parking zones and technology that helps drivers find available spaces more easily. Transit equity must come before another expensive 'study' with no results.

What is your philosophy on public safety, and how would you address crime, police transparency, and community well-being?

Public safety begins with justice and trust — not fear. I support community-based safety approaches that emphasize prevention and partnership. Annapolis deserves officers who protect and respect. I will push for full police transparency, civilian oversight, full forensic/ operational audits, investments in youth mentorship, mental health crisis response, and violence interruption. Safety means our young people have something to live for, not something to run from.

What would you do to address shortages of emergency personnel and lifesaving equipment within the fire department?

When our firefighters and EMTs are under-resourced, every resident is at risk. I will call for a full audit of staffing and equipment to ensure Annapolis receives its fair share of funding and resources. We must provide competitive pay, mental health support, and modern equipment for those who protect us daily.

As a coastal city prone to flooding, what are your plans for environmental protection, climate resiliency, and stormwater management?

Flooding impacts Ward 6 and that is no coincidence. Neglect and poor infrastructure have left us vulnerable. I will fight for equitable climate investments, stronger stormwater systems, and community-led green initiatives. Federal and state resiliency funds must reach the neighborhoods that bear the brunt of flooding, not just the tourist zones downtown.

What strategies do you propose to help Annapolis businesses thrive, especially small businesses?

Small businesses especially those owned by women and people of color are the backbone of our local economy. I will push for streamlined permitting, equitable access to city contracts, and micro-grant programs for all of Annapolis entrepreneurs. The goal is to keep our dollars circulating where we live and empower residents to build wealth within their own communities.

How would you handle controversial issues, especially if the council is divided?

I believe in standing on principle, not popularity. I will listen with respect but speak truth to power when necessary. Leadership means telling the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. I will always be guided by the voices of Ward 6 residents not by political pressure.

How would you balance the needs of your ward with the city’s overall interests?

The success of Ward 6 is the success of Annapolis. When historically neglected communities rise, the entire city becomes stronger. Equity is not a special interest; it’s the foundation for shared progress. My decisions will always reflect that belief.

How would you manage public criticism as a City Council member?

Criticism comes with leadership, and I welcome it. It means people care enough to hold me accountable. I will stay accessible, transparent, and responsive, even in disagreement. My goal is not to avoid criticism it’s to earn trust through honesty and action.

Describe your plan to work with and engage community stakeholders.

I will build on relationships already established through churches, nonprofits, and grassroots organizations in Annapolis. I plan to create neighborhood in Ward 6 that provide direct input into city policies and ensure residents’ voices shape every decision that affects their lives. Governance must be participatory, not performative.

How would you engage with residents who feel disconnected from city government?

By showing up consistently and personally. Many in Ward 6 feel unheard by city hall, and that has to change. I’ll host monthly listening sessions, attend neighborhood meetings, and maintain open lines through both digital and in-person communication. Accessibility is the foundation of accountability.

How do you plan to manage the significant time commitment of City Council duties?

Serving the people of Ward 6 will be my top priority. This work is not part-time it’s purpose-driven. I will dedicate the time, energy, and focus necessary to meet the responsibilities of this role with integrity and excellence.

What values would guide your decisions as a council member?

Truth, justice, and accountability. My commitment is to the people who live, work, and raise families in Ward 6 not to the powerful or the politically connected. Every vote I cast will be guided by one question: Does this serve the people who trusted me with their voice?