I am a native Baltimorean and proud product of the Baltimore City Public Schools.  I have lived in Reservoir Hill for the past seven years with my partner Phillip in a home once owned by the cousins who watched me after nursery school.  I have deep family roots in Baltimore and grew up surrounded by examples of public service.  My grandfather, George Jude, was chairman of the Planning Commission.  My grandmother, Vashti Jude, was an educator in the public schools.  My mother, Elise Jude Mason, was an attorney for City and is still a hearing officer for the school system.  My father, Fred D. Mason Jr., is president of the Maryland and District of Columbia AFL-CIO.  Serving the people is a multi-generational legacy. 

I grew up near Hanlon Park and attended Hilton Elementary School, where we learned that “Hiltonites are leading lights.”  Following Roland Park Middle School, I was fortunate to be accepted at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute.  The education at Poly is among the finest in the nation, and is a testament to the excellence that is possible in our public schools. 

I pursued higher education vigorously.  I have a bachelor’s degree in political economy from Tulane, a master’s degree in public policy from Georgetown and a master’s degree in architecture from Morgan.

I have worked in local, state and federal government.  Through internships with Congressman Kweisi Mfume and Senator Paul Sarbanes I witnessed committed excellence in elected leadership.  I carry their examples with me.  With the State of Maryland’s Office of Capital Budgeting, I worked on major projects like the Hippodrome, the Inner Harbor Welcome Center and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, and on the housing and economic development programs so vital to the City.  With Banks Contracting, I helped manage the construction of the first building in the University of Maryland Baltimore BioPark and the expansion of the Baltimore School for the Arts.  Currently, I am a project architect with Gaudreau, Inc. in Federal Hill, and work primarily on education projects. 

Volunteer and community activities must balance professional experience.  I have done construction with Sandtown Habitat for Humanity, participating in the direct creation of affordable housing.   I have been with teams from HERO walking the streets at night providing condoms and information and counseling people to stay safe and healthy.  I am a lifelong member of Saint James Episcopal Church on Lafayette Square and participate in visiting the sick and with our food pantry.  The Reservoir Hill Citizens on Patrol is a regular activity. I love this city.  I live, work, and worship in the 11th District, and I want to place all of my knowledge and experience at the service of our diverse communities.  Together, we can build communities of strength and hope.