DR. TASHANNA
Dr. Tashanna Ellis was born and raised in Trenton, New Jersey. She is a Community Health Architect, therapist, singer, author, advocate, and executive leader committed to serving the city with integrity, compassion, and accountability. Her work is rooted in lived experience and a deep understanding of the challenges and strengths within the community she calls home.
Dr. Ellis holds an Associate Degree in Psychology, a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling and Human Services, and a Doctorate in Human Services with a focus on organizational leadership and management. Her academic and professional background is grounded in behavioral health, community systems, leadership, and program development.
She is the Founder and Executive Director of Emiija’s Hope Center, a community based organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families through free case management, mental health navigation, youth mentorship, community wellness initiatives, and essential needs support. Through this work, Dr. Ellis has engaged more than 1,000 community members and directly supported over 100 families, all without formal operating funding.
Dr. Ellis also created the Trenton Heroes Awards, an initiative that honors residents and community leaders who serve Trenton with dedication and care, and the Trenton Collaborative Jam, a large scale community convening that brings residents, service providers, and agencies together to increase access, collaboration, and shared problem solving.
Whether through leadership, advocacy, creativity, or service, Dr. Ellis remains deeply committed to Trenton. Her work is guided by trust, consistency, and the belief that when communities are supported with dignity and accountability, they thrive.
MEET DR. TASHANNA ELLIS
Dr. Tashanna Ellis has long championed the needs of the Trenton community and is now ready to amplify her advocacy by serving as Trenton City Councilwoman At Large. A lifelong Trenton resident and trusted community leader, Dr. Ellis is committed to ensuring residents’ voices are heard and reflected in local decision-making.
DR. TASHANNA ELLIS’
COMMUNITY PRIORITIES
Fiscal Accountability and Responsible Governance
Responsible financial leadership means using public dollars to produce real, measurable improvements in residents’ quality of life by strengthening neighborhoods through safe housing, public health, access to opportunity, community stability, and economic mobility.
As your next Councilwoman At-Large, I will govern with discipline and transparency, ensuring every taxpayer dollar is accountable, outcome-driven, and invested where it delivers lasting community impact.
Oversight and Innovation
Effective government depends on strong accountability, clear performance expectations, and systems that function efficiently for the public. Residents should be able to clearly understand what services exist and how to access them.
As your next Councilwoman At-large, I will strengthen oversight of city operations, improve coordination across departments, and support initiatives that improve communication, outreach, and public access to city services.
Economic Inclusion and Community Wealth Building
When residents are excluded from workforce participation, entrepreneurship, and/or pathways to financial mobility, it impairs economic growth. Expanding job access, business development, and ownership opportunities strengthens neighborhood stability, builds the local economy, and creates long-term community resilience.
As your next Councilwoman At-large, I will expand employment pathways, support small business growth, and strengthen opportunities for ownership and long-term financial stability for residents.
Safe, Fair, and Accessible Housing
Housing stability is essential to individual wellbeing, family security, and neighborhood strength. Residents should be able to trust that housing standards are enforced fairly and consistently across the city. Strong inspections, timely enforcement, and landlord accountability are vital to protecting tenants and strengthening community stability.
As your next Councilwoman At Large, I am committed to enforcing housing standards, strengthening inspections, and holding landlords accountable for unsafe conditions. I will work to expand real pathways to stable housing and homeownership by supporting access to first-time homebuyer programs, financial readiness tools, credit-building support, and available state and federal housing resources. Additionally, I will focus on reducing unnecessary administrative barriers that stand in the way of these goals.
Mental and Physical Wellbeing
Healthy communities develop through early access to care, supportive environments, and preventative services that reduce long-term strain on emergency systems while investing in strengthening families and neighborhoods. Investing in coordinated health supports improves safety, productivity, and overall quality of life.
As your next Councilwoman At-large, I will expand access to community-based mental health services and preventative resources, aggressively address food scarcity, and improve coordinated wellness resources to produce long-term community stability.
Supportive Re-entry
When re-entry systems function effectively, recidivism declines. Successful reentry requires structured opportunities for stability, including but not limited to access to quality jobs, stable housing, and coordinated support systems, which allow individuals to progress in a way that minimizes recidivism and repairs relationships with their families.
As your next Councilwoman At-large, I will strengthen employment pathways, improve housing access, and support coordinated services that help returning residents successfully reintegrate into the community.
Youth Development and Opportunity
Investment in structured youth programs, employment, mentorship and educational continuity is critical for the future of Trenton. Investment in our youth ensures long-term success.
As your next Councilwoman At-large, I will expand youth employment, mentorship programs, workforce training, and safe recreational environments to prepare youth for long-term success.
Serving Trenton:
We’re Already
Doing the Work
Dr. Tashanna Ellis’s work in Trenton is rooted in action, accountability, and long term commitment to the people and neighborhoods she serves.
COMMUNITY
IMPACT
SNAPSHOT
Over the past year, Dr. Ellis has engaged more than 1,000 Trenton residents through direct service, outreach events, wellness initiatives, and community led programs.
Despite receiving no formal operating funding, Dr. Ellis has directly supported more than 100 families by providing free case management, stabilizing households during crisis, and helping families navigate complex systems. This support has included preventing evictions, connecting families to housing and financial assistance, meeting essential hygiene and basic needs, and ensuring families are not left without support during moments of instability.
All services are delivered through trusted, relationship based engagement focused on dignity, follow through, and real outcomes.
SIGNATURE
COMMUNITY
INITIATIVES
Dr. Ellis is also the creator of two citywide initiatives designed to strengthen community connection, collaboration, and recognition.
The Trenton Heroes Awards was created to honor everyday residents, advocates, and community leaders who quietly serve Trenton with integrity and care. The initiative elevates community pride, recognizes lived service, and ensures that those doing the work are seen, valued, and celebrated.
The Trenton Collaborative Jam was designed as a large scale, inclusive community convening that brought together residents, service providers, grassroots organizations, and public agencies in one shared space. The purpose was to break down silos, increase access to resources, encourage collaboration, and remind residents that they are not only recipients of services but contributors with value, voice, and solutions.
Together, these initiatives have engaged hundreds of residents and organizations, fostering trust, visibility, and shared responsibility across the city.
YOUTH MENTORSHIP
& LEADERSHIP
In addition to her broader community work, Dr. Ellis operates a free girls mentoring and leadership program serving young girls in Trenton. The program receives no external funding and is sustained through Dr. Ellis’s personal commitment, volunteer support, and community collaboration.
Currently, Dr. Ellis has personally committed to mentoring 10 girls, providing consistent guidance, emotional support, leadership development, and a safe, affirming space where they are seen, supported, and valued. This mentorship reflects a long term investment in the well being and future leadership of Trenton’s next generation.
This work reflects more than service delivery. It represents showing up before there was funding, staying committed when resources were limited, building trust through consistency and presence, preventing displacement, meeting essential needs with dignity, and creating platforms that elevate community voices and leadership.
Dr. Ellis is not new to serving Trenton. She has been doing the work every day with and for the community.
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Contact Information: Drtashannaellisatlarge@gmail.com
Paid for by Friends of Dr. Tashanna Ellis