By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
Shawnta Privette, the first African-American woman to serve as Baltimore City’s CAD Technical Manager, has built a barrier-breaking career in public safety and communications. At 53, she oversees the city’s computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system, which she calls the “heartbeat of data for policing and public safety.”
“As the CAD manager, that infrastructure has to stay sustainable, and it’s my job to make sure the CAD team sustains that infrastructure,” said Privette.
The system helps 911 call-takers and dispatchers answer calls for emergency services and convert them into requests for the appropriate agency, such as the fire department or public works. The system also collects key public safety data.
Born and raised in Baltimore, Privette’s journey to leadership was unconventional. Becoming a teen mother at 17, she attended Laurence G. Paquin Middle Secondary School for Expectant Teenage Mothers. She then attended Coppin State University but did not graduate.
In 2017, she returned to school at the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), earning her bachelor’s degree in 2020, a master’s in homeland security crisis management from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law in 2022 and a master’s in homeland security management from UMGC in 2024.
Privette started her public safety career in 1998 as a dispatcher for the Baltimore Police Department (BPD). She was promoted to supervisor in 2010 and later joined the University of Maryland Baltimore Police Department.
On Feb. 22, 2016, Privette became the first African-American woman to serve as its police communication supervisor, where she played a vital role in implementing a new CAD system.
Tonya Bell, 53, who worked with Privette, described her as “dedicated, professional, sweet, an all-around nice person and capable of doing her job.”
Bell remembered Privette’s efforts during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, ensuring her entire unit was recognized and celebrated.
Despite becoming a mother at a young age, Privette never let it stop her from advancing.
“Let your child be your motivation,” she said. “Don’t let society tell you, because you had a baby at 17, 16 or however old you were, that you can’t make it.”
As a Black woman in leadership, she often felt like the only one in the room but remained focused on her goals.
Privette believes in mentorship and uplifting others in the workplace.
“I’ve always, in my leadership position, trained someone to take my position,” she said. “I’ve never wanted people to believe they couldn’t do what I was doing.”
Her role as CAD manager is a key part of Baltimore’s emergency response infrastructure.
In her day-to-day work, she collaborates with internal and external agencies, works to enhance Baltimore’s emergency communication abilities and ensures the system remains operational.
Privette offered uplifting words for everyday workers.
“Be motivated to be better,” she said. “No matter how old you are, you can achieve what God has for you if you believe in him.”
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