capst-winter-2021-Proof1-52REV - Flipbook - Page 8
3 tHingS
by Mike klinGaMan Capital Style
Amal Awad
Anne Arundel County police chief
The consummate trailblazer, Amal Awad is the
first woman, the first Black and the first LGBTQ
police chief in Anne Arundel County history. It’s a
challenge she holds dear.
“There is a lot of pressure there,” said Awad, 54, a
30-year police veteran who became chief in December 2020. A native of Landover, she’s the daughter
of an African-American mother and a father who
emigrated from Sudan. Awad started as a beat
cop in Prince George’s County and later served as
Hyattsville police chief. Married and the parent of a
21-year-old daughter, she holds a master’s degree in
management from the Johns Hopkins University.
Here are three things you might like to know
about Awad:
She is quick on the draw as an artist.
“Art is in my blood; my mother was a sketch
artist and I studied art history at [the University of]
Maryland. I have a passion for graphic design, a gift
that has helped me create memorable pieces for the
loved ones of fallen officers who are struggling with
the loss of their beloved who died in the line of duty.
“I’ve shared these [graphic] memorials with the
officers’ families and squad mates; it helps to give
them a sense of connection.”
She was a caregiver to her late mother.
“My mom, Lydia Jones, died in 2017, after three
years with Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, and
my wife, Jade, and I were her care partners to the
end. We made room for her in our home in Upper
Marlboro. It was heartbreaking to watch the woman
who raised me [and six siblings] struggle — a brilliant woman and the strongest, most loving person
I know.
“... That [experience] has given me a deeper appreciation for humankind.”
the police chief has a dog named Copper.
“A couple of months ago, while at the grocery
store, our daughter found a dog and brought him
home. We searched for a microchip, put his picture
on our website and, finally, adopted him. His name
is Copper, like coppers and robbers. He’s halfChihuahua, half-Rat Terrier, full of energy and an
unanticipated blessing. It’s a joy to come home on
days when things are challenging because Copper
loves you unconditionally.”
Photo by kenneth k. laM
8 | fall 2021 | capitalstylemag.com