City of Glenarden Mayor
Cashenna A. Cross
Mayor
Phone: (301) 773-2100 ext. 714
Fax: (301) 773-4388
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The City of Glenarden Mayoral Town Hall /Forum takes place every 2nd Wednesday of the month from
6:30PM-7:30PM. Click here for details. View previous forum on our YouTube or in the Featured Video section on our homepage!
Mayor Cashenna A. Cross is a decorated retired veteran of the United States Air Force and an accomplished Department of Defense and community leader chartered more than 30 years of experience in government, planning and project management, and philanthropy. On August 18, 2021, she was sworn into a four-year term as Mayor of the City of Glenarden, Maryland “A City on the Move” where she did become the 18th Mayor and third woman Mayor in the City’s then 82-year history. A consummate professional from June 1998 - July 2018, Mrs. Cross honorably served this great nation for 20-active duty-years. She entered the United States Air Force through Detachment 425 ROTC program Mississippi State University and became a commissioned Intelligence Officer serving the world’s greatest Air Force. She has commanded at the highest level of U.S. National Security receiving countless Defense Meritorious and Joint Service Awards and accolades from the Department of Defense, as well as accommodations from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). She holds countless credentials and certifications in government, international relations, and public affairs. Mayor Cross is passionate about leveraging her talents and resources in positive uplifting service to all mankind. A strong proponent of ensuring good governance, she is keenly aware and with an ever-present focus on ensuring a fair procedural framework for the conduct of policing activities. Mayor Cross leads actions to address lack, depression, mental health, safety and security, and overall wellness in our communities. Mayor Cross - a wife and mother of two - champions the transformative impact of a strong spiritual, family, and community support system. Mayor Cross is committed to investing in a quality education system for all and with 27 countries traveled always leverages the inclusionary and amazing chemistry of diversity by hosting mayoral forums and community awareness town halls and events. Mayor Cross is deeply committed to serving the citizens of Glenarden as a poised executive leader responsible for the details of policy, processes, and procedures, rules, and standards to the office. Mayor Cross is an active member of Woodstream Church and endeavors to successfully change the narrative by (positive) community actions and motto “Moving the Mission Forward.”
Additionally, Mayor Cross a President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Presidential Lifetime Achievement in Volunteer Service Medal awardee enjoys the compassionate selfless service to others. The 46th President of the United States of America recognized the superb efforts of unity and cohesive partnership which added great credit towards building a stronger safer nation. Over the last year alone she’s served over 1700 residents across Prince George’s County; donated 300 pounds of clothing; residential housing and urban development quarters administrative processes and recorded accounting paperwork was accurate for 60 housing units in the City of Glenarden; personally lead efforts to deliver 700 pounds of much needed groceries across eleven cities. Captured needs of at-risk communities and briefed to the Prince George’s Chief of Police and county-wide police Chiefs’ and partners as community assessment member/Chairman of the Prince George’s Hope in Action Task Force Community Assessments Committee. The Community Assessments Committee is one of three legs to the 20 - member Violence Prevention Task Force formed by County Executive which helps identify areas of need in Prince George’s County working with non-profits and stakeholders, create a plan to aid in resource sharing, while developing short and long-term strategies to prevent violence. In collaboration with “The Hope Collective,” a group of 16 grassroots community partner organizations, non-profits that have received grant funding from county’s Hope in Action Anti-Violence Project to provide school-based and community wraparound services in areas where violent crime is an issue. Over the last year Mayor Cross has supported diversion/re-entry efforts, senior citizen and youth mental health and wellness efforts, Partnered with local elementary schools regarding after-school enrichment, and with local non-profits guaranteeing employment assistance, anti-violence, anti-gun violence, and anti-lack resources and life skills coaching across Prince George’s County. In addition to collaborative efforts with violence interrupters working tirelessly to put an end to the domestic and senseless violence robbing our families of unity, communities of peace, and at risk vulnerable disenfranchised youth of a quality lifecycle. Mayor Cross is honored to have a city police force and residential team which for the third year in a row is recognized by SafeWise teams as the third safest city in the state of Maryland according to crime rates as calculated from FBI crime data.
Worked with the Jonah House a faith-based community centered on the concept of "Nonviolence, resistance and community" also, with The Bridge Center at Adam’s House an inter-agency collaboration between the Health Department, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Social Services, the Department of Family Services and US Attorney Office for the State of Maryland, other community based partners provides holistic assistance to resident reentering community, especially formerly incarcerated, veterans, and youth (18-24 years old) trying to attain community stability. This weekly work yields Mayor Cross as a compassionate resilience leader driven to prevent offenders from reoffending and provide support for adults and especially returning youth to become productive members of society. Mayor Cross promotes employment, training, community volunteer actions to break the cycle of recidivism.
As a DOD Executive Assistant, Program Manager, Department of Defense policy, joint planning, financial manager, philanthropist, God-fearing and God purposed people’s champion; as well, cyber security operator, brings to the (Planning Committee) analytical expertise prevents violence and abusive behavior before it begins. Partnered with over 50-organizations help those exposed to gun violence and prevent other(s) exposure - to break the cycle of violence which prevents the development of healthy relationship skills before violence begins. Skillful in verbalizing “insightful visualization plans” for family-friendly anti-violence events alongside generating movement in partners. Believes in the power of prayer to help map critical community needs via discernment. Possesses analysis-data driven analytical skills to identify critical areas where violence may be an issue. Works comprehensively and collaboratively to generate valuable resources and stakeholders’ strategies for long-term violence reduction.
Mayor Cross has open serval high fashion, and community social activist programs across Prince George’s and DC. Mayor Cross builds tomorrow’s dreams and supports youth action in fashion, entrepreneurial and life-skills careers. The Creative Youth Arts Summit and Conference is a response to the Nation of Africa and the US Department of Commerce and US President MOU in fashion and entertainment. Over 600 students across Prince George’s have been able to capitalize on supporting mental health and wellness programming inclusive of career building opportunities. Youth across our cities have been invaded by the ugly violence and early worldly exposure crafted by way of self-hate, community violence, and social disenfranchisement. The creative flow with which childhood memories should be blessed is disturbed by grown-up issues. The creative flow of our youth is at risk. Mayor Cross is staying out front as the Global Ambassador to WeModel USA, Protect 2Connect, Mr. DC Foundation, and a frequent honored guest at fashion industry circuits across the DMV, even taking students to New York Fashion Week.
She holds a master’s degree in international relations and drives hard towards her one nation one people construct to include truest diversity and inclusion. Serves as a vocal mouthpiece to international startup film festivals. The latest of which is The 30-Days trailer release highlighting the inclusivity of the arts and the need to build nation unity on the arts. She is the Government liaison to Take back our neighborhoods and is working with other industry giants during the It’s ok to NOT be ok concert, and boxing mental health and wellness in the arts program. Serving most recently at the United Nations as ambassador for A Drug Free World. Most recent policy changes concerning cannabis and other formerly controlled drugs across America makes credible sense to address the youth mortality rates which have skyrocketed. A Drug Free World recognized Mayor Cross as Global Peace Ambassador and partners across the county with Mayor Cross to place free internet notebooks in the hands of households struggling with expanding broadband services each additionally loaded with smart training on dangers of drug use and the truth of the 2nd -3rd order impacts on the body to enable educated decision making in our youth and families. These internet notebooks will come at no cost and last from presidential administration to presidential administration as part of the nation’s broadband expansion programming targeting 39,000 households (including American veterans, middle to low-income housing residents). The Alliance of the Black People’s Plan drives toward $88B to build the African and African American Black farmer dollar backed by healthy food farming, democratic policy, and enterprising equality.
Mayor Cashenna A Cross is a passionate action-oriented community servant who is per her quote, “Moving the Mission Forward!” Evident as the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL) honored Mayor Cross with the mini peace bell at the 2023 World Leaders Summit of Love and Peace held at the National Press Club, Washington DC. While the idea of a culture of peace has gained widespread acceptance in the international community, the devastation brought on by evil thoughts and actions continues to endanger the security and sustainability of all humanity and the Earth. Global security and stability are predicated on the awakening of everyone’s conscience, from which compassion, good deeds, and the power of hope are derived. When people follow the guidance of their conscience and illuminate their inner lights, they become a beacon, bringing hope to all corners of the world. As a matter of significance, the FOWPAL Peace Bell has only been ran just under 500 times and by significant leaders of nations, Mayor Cross joins as #454 ringer of the international bell of Peace and Love joining this band of powerful leaders such His Excellency Kofi Annan, the former General Secretary of the United Nations; H.E. Petru Lucinschi / President of Moldova; H.E. Ève Bazaiba Masudi / Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Environment; H.E. Mr. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo / President of Equatorial Guinea; H.E. Ms. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim / President of the Republic of Mauritius and more who promote cultural consciousness.