Joanna is the second-term Assistant Mayor of Portsmouth and the first African American Assistant Mayor in the state of New Hampshire. (Basically) a Portsmouth Native, Jo spent time in the foster care system, when her grandparents became unable to raise her. “Portsmouth gave me a home when it was the only the thing in life I’ve ever wanted. My dream is to help others achieve that feeling too,” she says. A prominent local businesswoman, Jo owns of Cup of Joe cafe & bar in downtown Portsmouth, where you can find her when she is not Assistant Mayor-ing. Joanna is one of the founders of The New England BIPOC cultural festival and serves as a board member for many organizations including: The Seacoast African American Cultural center, Strawbery Banke Museum, 603 Forward foundation, The Chase Children’s Home and The New Hampshire Women’s Foundation.
Assistant Mayor Joanna Kelley
