Calvin Ball III

Calvin B. Ball III (born September 2, 1975) is an American Democratic politician who serves as the county executive of Howard County, Maryland.[1] He is the first African-American to hold this office. On Thursday, November 9, 2017, Ball announced his candidacy for County Executive for the 2018 Election.[2] On November 7, 2018 Ball won against incumbent Republican Allan Kittleman.[3] He was sworn in as the new County Executive on December 3, 2018.

"Calvin Ball" redirects here. For the fictional game, see Calvin and Hobbes § Calvinball.

Calvin Ball III
10th County Executive of Howard County, Maryland
Assumed office
December 3, 2018
Preceded byAllan Kittleman
Councilman of Howard County (Representing District 2)
In office
December 4, 2006 – December 3, 2018
Preceded byDavid A. Rakes
Succeeded byOpel Jones
Personal details
Born (1975-09-02) September 2, 1975
Catonsville, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Shani D. Ball
Children2 daughters - – Alexis and Alyssa
Alma materTowson State University, B.A.
University of Baltimore, M.A.
Morgan State University, Ed.D.
ProfessionPolitician

Prior to his County Executive position, he served as a Council Member of the 2nd District of Howard County, Maryland from April 2006 through December 2018. On December 4, 2006, Dr. Ball made Howard County history when he was elected the youngest Chairperson ever to lead the County Council, serving approximately 50,000 constituents. On December 6, 2010, he was unanimously elected to serve his second term as Chairperson of the County Council, and again on December 2, 2014 he was elected to his third term as Chairperson.

He is married to Shani D. Ball, R.N.,B.S.N, a nursing professional with nearly 20 years experience, who serves as an administrative leader at UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center and oversees operations of 2 specialty offices- Diabetes and Endocrinology. They are the parents of two children, Alexis and Alyssa.

Early life and education

Ball was born in Catonsville, Maryland and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religion from Towson State University, a Master of Arts in Legal and Ethical Studies from the University of Baltimore (where he was nominated for the Spirit of Excellence Award), and a Doctor of Education from Morgan State University. He is also a member of Kappa Delta Pi, an International Honor Society in Education.[4]

As a resident of Columbia, Maryland, Ball served as a Howard County Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician. Committed to serving the community, he served three terms on the Oakland Mills Village Board and was a Community Organizer in Howard County, where he facilitated neighborhood revitalization. Ball was also a member of the Howard County Chamber of Commerce's Educator of the Year Committee and the Chamber's Workforce Readiness Committee.

Ball volunteered with the Howard County Public School System Leadership Task Force and Student Performance Review Committee. He has over eight years of experience in the field of higher education. Over the last six years, he has facilitated classes in subjects such as Critical Thinking, Ethics, and Political Science. In addition to instruction, he has assessed, trained and mentored new faculty members.

A certified mediator since 1998, Ball has worked as a mediator for the Community Mediation Program and the Maryland State Human Relations Commission. He also served as a mediation supervisor for the Maryland Office of the Attorney General.

Howard County Council

In April 2006, Ball was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Howard County Council to represent the 2nd Councilmanic District of Howard County. Ball retained the seat in the November election. He has been an active Democrat, serving two terms as President of the Young Democrats of Howard County.

Ball was an early and active supporter of Barack Obama's campaign for President of the United States.[5] He served as a member of the Maryland for Obama Statewide Steering Committee led by Congressman Elijah Cummings and Attorney General of Maryland Doug Gansler.

In 2006, Ball introduced legislation regarding the goal of Howard County to provision housing for all income levels throughout the county. Ball encouraged developers to provide a full spectrum of affordable housing and give the County options to help create and preserve affordable housing in his proposal. Ball saw that as the County's population swelled, the need for dispersed affordable housing for people of all income levels was vital. Ball's proposal included: providing preferences for those who work and reside in Howard County, establishing a right of first refusal for tenants and the County for the purchase of rental units when the owner offers the units for sale and establishing notice requirements for rental housing owners.

Between 2006 and 2007 Calvin Ball was the Community Organizer of the Oakland Mills Village Revitalization Plan. The Revitalization Plan's vision was to establish the Oakland Mills Village Center as a “true destination with a clear identity that is cohesive and well planned, while supporting thriving businesses and serving as a real center of community life”. The Revitalization Plan's goals were to energize the Village Center, increase communication in the village, support business in Oakland Mills, and support community activities. They classified their strategies to reach these goals as simple, moderate, and significant improvements that could help benefit the village center. Ball's tasks included documenting overall success for each month, progress towards goals by the various committees, progress towards goals by the Community Organizer, plans for the next month for committees and plans for the next month for the Community Organizer.

In July 2007, Ball introduced legislation, which required some county contractors to pay their workers at least $12.41 an hour.[6] The proposal applied to contractors that had five or more workers and made at least $100,000 in business annually with Howard County. However, the legislation exempted nonprofit organizations doing business with the county. Ball said to the Washington Post that "the fiscal impact is quite negligible, but what it can do for a family is invaluable," and that the "Government is there to help people who may not be able to help themselves."

Howard County Executive

On November 7, 2018, Ball was elected as the first African American County Executive in Howard County history.[3] On December 3, 2018, Ball was sworn into office, becoming the 10th Howard County Executive.[7] In his speech, Ball remarked, “With our deeply rooted values of inclusion, equity, responsible stewardship of the earth, and prosperity for all, Howard County has the will and the ethos to be a beacon of hope and light shining brightly as a model of what America promises to be.”[7]


Since taking office, County Executive Ball has:

  • Signed Howard County to the Paris Agreement to address climate change and taken major steps to protect the environment. These include a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of County government operations to zero and making Howard County the first county in the nation to formally accept the United States Climate Alliance's Natural and Working Lands Challenge.[8]
  • Launched his “Safe and Sound” plan to address flooding in Ellicott City, improve public safety, and support local businesses.[9]
  • Held the County's first “Innovation Summit” and unveiled the Howard County Data Analytics and Statistics Hub (HoCoDASH), a performance management system designed to further improve the effectiveness and efficiency of County services.[10]
  • Enacted a comprehensive strategy for fighting the opioid epidemic, including opening Howard House, creating a first-of-its-kind partnership to build a new, residential treatment center, suing big pharmaceutical companies for their role in the epidemic, and more.[11]
  • Signed a memorandum of understanding to create a Howard County Innovation Center that will serve as a nexus of resources for small, minority, woman, and veteran-owned business creation and support.[12]
  • Led summer food access programs for children who normally rely on school meals and are especially vulnerable during the summer months.[13]
  • Broken ground on a new Waterloo Fire Station after negotiating a land sale of $1 from the State, so $3.5 million in savings could be passed on to flood mitigation work in Ellicott City.[14]
  • Selected by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to join the “Economic Mobility Leadership Network” of 20 diverse and bipartisan leaders from across the country. The group explored the role counties can play in positively affecting economic mobility.[15]
  • Assisted Howard County residents impacted by the 2018 federal government shutdown, including free weekly food distribution for affected families.[16]
  • Broken ground the new Howard County Circuit Courthouse to replace the almost 200-year old current courthouse. The project has already won three P3 Awards, honoring innovative public-private partnerships at the international level.[17]
  • Joined the “Bee City USA” coalition to protect pollinators and food sources under environmental threat.[18]
  • Expanded the curbside food scraps collection area to add almost 10,000 additional homes to the program.[8]
  • Created “Practice Howard,” an innovative program designed to reduce the shortage of primary care physicians in the County by attracting more doctors.[19]
  • Formed the “Live Where You Work” public-private partnership to provide rental subsidies for low- and moderate-income families to live closer to their workplaces in Downtown Columbia.[20]
  • Made Howard County an AARP “Age-Friendly Community,” supporting older residents with key services and opportunities to age with comfort and dignity.[21]
  • Hosted the first LGBTQ+ Pride Celebration in Howard County history.[22]
  • Passed a “Complete Streets” resolution to make travel safe and sustainable for residents of all ages and abilities.[23]
  • Invested $2.2 million in bicycle infrastructure in the BikeHoward express network, the largest single year investment ever dedicated solely to this purpose.[24]
  • Hosted the first Local Business Workshop in Howard County history, to allow for more County project funds and grants to go to community businesses.[25]
  • Launched “It’s OK To Ask,” a comprehensive public health plan and outreach campaign to end the stigma around seeking mental healthcare and prevent youth suicide.[26]

Financial literacy

In April 2007, Ball launched his first Financial Literacy Summit in Howard County, Maryland with at least 75 financial literacy stakeholders ranging from bankers, mortgage lenders, and financial education leaders and supporters. Ball launched a county-wide movement to expand financial wellness in Howard County.

The following year, on April 19, 2008, Council Member Ball initiated his second financial literacy event. This time he expanded the summit to include a wide array of financial education programs and services that would assist those families who had begun to feel hardship because of the economic slowdown. To help citizens understand the future of those services, Ball held a panel of people involved in financial services in Howard County.

"Many families today are living paycheck-to-paycheck with no financial cushion in case of emergencies," said Ball during his testimony before the General Assembly to foster financial literacy in the state. "The consequences of a lack of financial literacy include mountains of debt, bankruptcies, broken homes and shattered dreams."[27] In partnership with Howard Community College, Calvin Ball launched the county's Annual Financial Literacy Summit event in order to inspire participants of all ages to set and achieve their financial goals.[28]

Men's Health Fair

Alongside Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, and Congressman Elijah Cummings, in 2009 Councilman Calvin Ball co-hosted the Howard County 1st Annual Men's Health Fair, which promoted health and fitness awareness to the men of Maryland. The health fair included fitness demonstrations from local gyms and fitness programs, free health screenings (dental, HIV, BMI, Blood Pressure), and a variety of show cases that advertised their healthy products or services.

Election History

Howard County Council District 2
YearWinnerOpponent
2006Calvin Ball (D), Votes: 9,907Gina Gabrielle Ellrich, Votes: 6,638
2010Calvin Ball (D), Votes: 11,707Reg Avery, Votes: 5,592
2014Calvin Ball (D), Votes: 11,380Ralph Colavita, Votes: 7,369

[29]

Howard County Executive
YearWinnerOpponent
2018Calvin Ball (D), Votes: 75,566Allan H. Kittleman, Votes: 67,457

[30]

Achievements
  • Howard County Executive: 2018-
  • Howard County Council Chairman: 2006-2017
  • Zoning Board Chairman: 2007-2008
  • Liquor Board Chairman: 2006-2007
  • Michaeline R. Fedder Award for Public Health Legislator of 2015
  • Marilyn J. Praisner Public Service Award
  • Daily Record's 2014 Very Important Professionals Successful by 40 Award
  • William Donald Schaefer Helping People Award
  • Louis L. Goldstein Award for Democratic Spirit
  • Kittleman Award for Legislative Leadership
  • Community Champion of the Year Award
  • Launched Howard County's first Annual Financial Literacy Summit
  • Spirit of Excellence Award, University of Baltimore
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References
  1. Logan, Erin B. "Democrat Ball defeats incumbent Howard County executive Kittleman". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  2. Magill, Kate (November 9, 2017). "Councilman Calvin Ball enters race for Howard County Executive". Columbia Flier. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  3. Logan, Erin B. "Democrat Ball defeats incumbent Howard County executive Kittleman". The Baltimore Sun.
  4. "Calvin B. Ball, County Executive, Howard County, Maryland". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. December 9, 2019. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  5. "Councilman Calvin Ball Files to be Delegate for Obama". Elkridge, MD Patch. January 9, 2012.
  6. "Chamber of Commerce opposes living-wage bill". Washington Examiner. June 25, 2007.
  7. "Dr. Calvin Ball Sworn-In as the 10th Howard County Executive". Howard County, Maryland.
  8. "County Executive Ball Announces Major Commitments to Climate Action". Howard County, Maryland.
  9. "EC Safe and Sound: Phases 1 & 2". EC Safe and Sound.
  10. "County Executive Ball Holds Innovation Summit, Announces 'HoCoDASH' and $225,000 Innovation Fund". Howard County, Maryland.
  11. "Howard County Sues Opioid Makers and Distributors in Circuit Court". Howard County, Maryland.
  12. "County Executive Ball Signs MOU for the Gateway Innovation Center In Columbia". Howard County, Maryland.
  13. "County Executive Ball Marks Kickoff of Summer Food Programs". Howard County, Maryland.
  14. "Governor Hogan and County Executive Ball Break Ground on Waterloo Fire Station". Howard County, Maryland.
  15. "County Executive Ball Selected by the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to Participate in the Economic Mobility Leadership Network". Howard County, Maryland.
  16. "County Executive Ball Announces Free Weekly Food Distribution for Families Affected by the Federal Government Shutdown". Howard County, Maryland.
  17. "Howard County Wins Three International P3 Awards For New Courthouse Project". Howard County, Maryland.
  18. "County Executive Ball Announces New "Bee City" Status, Commitment to Protect Pollinators". Howard County, Maryland.
  19. "County Executive Ball Announces Launch of Practice Howard Program". Howard County, Maryland.
  20. "County Executive Ball Holds MOU Signing For New 'Live Where You Work' Affordable Housing Program". Howard County, Maryland.
  21. "Howard County Age-Friendly Launch". Eventbrite.
  22. "Howard County To Hold Its First LGBTQ+ PRIDE Festival". Howard County, Maryland.
  23. "Howard County Council Unanimously Approves County Executive Ball's "Complete Streets" Resolution". Howard County, Maryland.
  24. "County Executive Ball Announces Funding for BikeHoward Express in Capital Budget". Howard County, Maryland.
  25. "Executive Ball Hosts Howard County's First Local Business Workshop". Howard County, Maryland.
  26. "County Executive Ball Announces "It's OK To Ask" Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign". Howard County, Maryland.
  27. The Business Monthly, September 2008
  28. ""Do Something: Historic" commemorates Martin Luther King, Jr., presidential inauguration". Greater Baltimore Committee. January 6, 2009.
  29. "Howard County Council > About Us > Council History". cc.howardcountymd.gov.
  30. "2018 Election Results". elections.maryland.gov.
  1. "MSA Bio".
  2. "Dist2_Bio".
  3. "Calvin Ball LinkedIn Profile".
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