Priscilla R. Tyson

(Chair: Development; and Recreation & Parks Committees)

Committee Member of: Development; Judiciary and Court Administration; Health, Housing and Human Services; and Workforce Development Committees.

A dedicated leader and lifelong resident of Columbus, Priscilla R. Tyson joined Columbus City Council in January 2007. She applies her leadership and passion for safe neighborhoods, sound economic development practices, and quality recreational opportunities for youth, adults and seniors to the two Council committees she chairs; the Recreation and Parks Committee, and the Development Committee.

Since joining Council, Ms. Tyson has been instrumental in establishing numerous initiatives. In 2007, she started her neighborhood Walk & Talk program, an initiative that seeks direct feedback from the community while promoting an active and healthy lifestyle through walking. Additional initiatives include the Landscape Enhancement/Beautification of Public Spaces Grant, and Operation Safe and Secure.

Councilmember Tyson has been dedicated to public service and giving back to her community, which is illustrated throughout her career. She was Executive Director Emeritus for City Year Columbus. Founded in 1994, City Year Columbus unites a diverse group of young adults for a year of full time rigorous community service, leadership development, and civic engagement. Concurrently, from 1993 until 2006, she served as a member of the Columbus Civil Service Commission, a group convened to assure all potential employees of the City of Columbus have adequate qualifications.

Priscilla Tyson is also an enthusiastic leader in the arts. Prior to joining Council, she played a pivotal role as a member of Council’s Creative Arts Steering Committee and ultimately the creation of the report, "The Creative Economy, Leveraging the Arts, Culture and Creative Community for a Stronger Columbus." Today her commitment to the creative community and culture continues as a member of the board of the Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC), and as President of Star Arts Gallery Limited. Founded in 2005, Star Arts Limited was organized with the goal of assisting artists to efficiently expand their client base, while allowing their works to gain national attention.

In addition to her activities with Columbus City Council and Star Arts Limited, Ms. Tyson is the Human Resource Director for Ribway Engineering Group.

Professionally, Ms. Tyson has held roles as Vice President of Community Relations at Ohio Health, and Vice President of Community Development at National City. She has also served on the boards of Phoenix Theatre Circle, National Black Programming Consortium, Opera Columbus and the Community Shelter Board.

In 1996, Councilmember Tyson received the YWCA Women of Achievement Award. Tyson holds a Bachelor of Science and Business Administration degree from Franklin University.

Unless otherwise noted, Councilmember Tyson's Recreation & Parks Committee meeting is scheduled for the third Thursday of each month. Meeting time and location is 5:30 p.m. in the Columbus City Council Chambers. A picture ID is needed to enter City Hall.

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Councilmember Tyson's committment to arts and culture in Columbus extend beyond her sponsorship of ordinances that support this important sector of the community, she also serves on the board of the Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC). GCAC is the city-funded arts organizations that supports art and advances the culture of the region. A catalyst for excellence and innovation, GCAC funds exemplary artists and arts organizations and provide programs, events and services of public value that educate and engage all audiences in our community.

For more information on GCAC, please visit www.gcac.org