Kim Thomas

Candidate for Mayor of Richmond Heights

The city of Richmond Heights is poised for a renaissance, and Kim Thomas is the person who can lead that effort.

Kim learned hard work from her mother, who passed away last year in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. After her husband passed away, Kim's mother worked two jobs while raising five children. Her mother's work ethic made her one of the few African Americans to own a gas station in the city of Cleveland. She was a trailblazer who blazed a trail to allow Kim to later follow in her entrepreneurial footsteps.

Her mother's mantra: "Work hard and care for other people, especially those in need." Her life proved that if you take care of people, the universe will take care of you. And her mother's most unforgettable lesson: "In life, there will be many times when you will have to light the torch, and, in some cases, you may have to carry it." Kim believes that true leaders must be willing to do both.

Kim graduated from South High School's cosmetology program and later attended Cuyahoga Community College. She began her career as a stylist and became a national educator and consultant for John Paul Mitchell Systems. Kim traveled globally, helping salons grow their business through marketing and sales training. After establishing her own small business, Kim graduated from Baldwin Wallace University Emerging Entrepreneurs Program, which was founded by the Presidents' Council Business Chamber and is comprised of the most prominent Black-owned businesses in the Greater Cleveland area.

The strength of her family informed Kim's choices throughout her lifetime. And because of her mother's example, it was important for Kim to start her own family. She and her husband, Danny Thomas, chose Richmond Heights as the place to do so and have called the city their home for 26 years. Together, they raised their son, Christopher, and daughter, Amira, in the community and educated them in Richmond Heights local schools. Danny is a retired law enforcement officer who co-founded a non-profit with Kim aimed at helping disadvantaged youth. He has supported Kim in her roles as mother, homeowner, professional, small business owner, and most recently as an elected official. Thomas Family smiles abounded at Kim's swearing-in.

Because Richmond Heights is her home, Kim welcomes the opportunity to take care of its residents. With so many in need due to COVID-19, it will take a well-led collective effort to see Richmond Heights through the pandemic and its aftermath. Kim is the first to admit that she is not a career politician. Instead, she sees herself as a public servant who understands the community's needs and will advocate strongly for moving her beloved community toward a "Brighter Tomorrow."

As an entrepreneur, Kim has always had to keep her eye on the bottom line. And for her, holding public office is no different. As a public servant, Kim's bottom line is simple: You don't have to be an elected official for ten years or more to address concerns, effect change, and find solutions. For her, a community thrives when there is no hidden agenda, and she is simply committed to doing what is right by Richmond Heights.