Street Style: Dr. Tammy Mann
The Campagna Center is near and dear to many in Alexandria. It provides many services to the needy in our city, from tutoring, to after school care, to mentoring. Dr. Tammy Mann, a wife and mother of two, is the president and CEO of the Campagna Center, a nonprofit that provides cradle-to-career programs to more than 2,000 children, teens, and adults across the city of Alexandria. We are thrilled to have you get to know her and the good works of the Campagna Center better.
Tammy has been involved in work at the national, state, and local levels for the past 25 years, focused on addressing the needs of children and families, especially young children living in economically and socially challenged environments. Recently, she was appointed to serve as the President of the Governing Board of the National Association for the Education of Young Children for a three-year term. For the past five years, Tammy has been the president and CEO of The Campagna Center She serves of the Board of Directors for the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, the Foundation for Child Development, Buffet Early Childhood Institute and was appointed to serve as a Commissioner on Alexandria’s Children Youth and Families Collaborative Commission.
Tammy has addressed national and international audiences and authored books and articles on a wide variety of issues in the field of early childhood education and development. She is a former Public Policy Fellow with the American Psychological Association as has had adjunct affiliations with Howard University and George Mason University. Tammy earned her Bachelor’s degree from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia and completed her Masters and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, with an Interdisciplinary Specialization in Infant Studies, at Michigan State University.
Tammy was wonderful to work with and looks stunning in the styles from Kiskadee!
ABOUT YOU
How do you spend your time? When I have free time, I enjoy spending with my family and close friends. After living in this area for more than 20 years, my baby sister recently moved here with her family. She and her husband have four kids that I really enjoy being with as Auntie! I have grown especially fond of the great conversations I have been able to have with my teenage daughter – a junior in high school, our youngest child. She has challenged me to grow in ways I would have never thought possible! I enjoy live theater and live concerts in intimate settings. I love singing and have reconnected with one of the many joys of my childhood when I recently joined one of the gospel choirs at my church. I am an introvert and gain great joy from having down time, quiet time to think, journal, and reflect on things that matter to me. I usually start my day at 4am. I am most productive in the mornings. I was grateful to find this out very early in life—this way of operating has served me well as a working mom.
Neighborhood: I spend a great deal of time in Old Town just because that is where our main office is located. I move around the city, because we have programs operating in every zip code in the city.
How long have you lived in Alexandria: I have worked in Alexandria the last five years.
What is your hometown? I was born in Louisiana, but I grew up in Detroit, Michigan.
What brought you to Alexandria? The Campagna Center and the amazing opportunity to advance the mission of an organization that has been devoted to supporting children, teens, and adults for 71 years. This week The Campagna Center was awarded the Nonprofit Business of the Year Award. I felt honored and grateful — honored because there were many other deserving nominees and grateful because I have the pleasure of serving a dedicated staff who in turn are doing amazing work to serve more than 2,000 residents across the city of Alexandria! We are making preschool education a reality for more than 500 families living between 100 and 200 percent of poverty. We are making high quality, safe, and affordable afterschool learning opportunity possible for more than 1,000 elementary students during the school year, winter, spring, and summer camps. We are helping 160 middle and high school students chase their dreams as they think about life beyond high school, and we are making nine levels of English classes available for more than 300 adults who are immigrants and refugees who want to make a better life for themselves and their families. This works feeds my soul! I feel like it’s God’s work and I am so deeply honored to be serving at this most special organization!
What would surprise people about you? Plans to one day own my own a Harley.
You’re a superhero: what’s your superpower? The ability to fly!
Last movie seen: “Race”
Guilty Pleasure: Dark chocolate
Facebook or Instagram? Facebook
Latest binge-watch: Not into TV, though I did take in several seasons of “Grey’s Anatomy” last winter. I know, I really behind the times!
Bucket list travel destination: South Africa
If you only could have one for the rest of your life: wine or coffee? Chocolate, but if I have to choose between wine or coffee, one of these it would have to be coffee.
FASHION
Define your style in three words or less: Classy, comfortable, fun
The go-to piece in your wardrobe: Simple black dress
Favorite trend ever: The 70s look. I think it’s making a comeback and I couldn’t be happier!
Favorite current trend: Leather, suede, and BOOTS!
Beauty product you can’t live without: Mascara
Favorite fragrance: Versace
Heels or flats? Flats, but boots are truly my most preferred way to go!
HOME
Favorite room in your home: Family room
Antiques, modern, or a mix?: Modern
Last item bought for your home: Storage chest
Next planned purchase: An addition, a country porch
Favorite way to entertain: Relaxed with simple foods, great company, and great music
Clutter-free or well-lived in? Well-lived in, but neat, clean, and well organized
Wallpaper – yes, totally modern or no, so dated: Wallpaper: Totally modern
FITNESS
Your go-to work-out: Walking in my neighborhood, especially early mornings on the weekend.
Most fun way to exercise: With music
Group exercise or solo: Partnered – I generally enjoy walking with my husband, Cedric
Fitness goal: Muscle/bone strength
Haven’t yet, but might be willing to try with coaching / encouragement: Spartan Challenge
Proudest fitness achievement: Never giving up on myself and starting over as many times as I need to in order to stay on the path of living a healthy lifestyle
ALEXANDRIA
Favorite spot in Alexandria: Table Talk
Last purchase in Alexandria: Kiskadee
Best coffee / date night spot: Carluccio’s, Restaurant Eve
Favorite charity: The Campagna Center
Favorite annual Alexandria event: The Scottish Walk Weekend
1 Comment
So much admiration for this amazing lady! Thank you Darby and Alexandria Stylebook for sharing her story and highlighting the great work of The Campagna Center!