Attorney, Adjunct Legal Professor Announces Run For Tampa Mayor

TAMPA, FL — A Tampa attorney with a long history of community volunteerism is running against Jane Castor for mayor of Tampa.

Belinda Noah was born in Florida to American parents of predominately African American and Native American descent. She is the fifth of eight children.

Noah said her interest in a legal career begin when she was 8 years old and her father, a World War II Purple Heart recipient and Buffalo Soldier, lost his leg in a work-related accident. She began writing letters on his behalf requesting past-due benefits that the government owed her father.

After graduating from the University of South Florida with a bachelor of arts degree, Noah received her Juris Doctor degree from Florida State University College of Law and her master of law and doctor of juridical science degrees from Widener University School of Law in Wilmington, Delaware.

Additionally, Noah has taken courses at Harvard University, Temple University and the University of Ghana School of Law. She is licensed to practice law in Florida and Ghana.

In addition to her national and international experience representing clients in civil and criminal matters, Noah was one of the first lawyers to produce a legal tips television show.

She has taught environmental and health law as an adjunct law professor at Widener University School of Law and Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport. She also taught environmental law at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration.

Noah has served as the director of the Ghana chapter of the largest pre-seed entrepreneurial accelerator program in the world, served as an assistant general counsel and senior attorney with the state of Florida’s Department of Banking and Finance, the state of Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation and the Department of Juvenile Justice.

In addition to directing an international accelerator program, practicing and teaching law, and producing an award-winning legal show, Noah is the author of numerous articles and books, including "International Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Law," "TRIPS and Patentable Subject Matter in the Global Marketplace" and The "Black Seminoles."

Noah is licensed to practice law before the Florida Courts, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the United States Supreme Court and the Republic of Ghana Courts.

Last year, she garnered 88,000 votes in a bid to run for Hillsborough County judge.

In addition to her work as an attorney, Noah volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, Metropolitan Ministries, Meals on Wheels and other nonprofits.

Noah is married to Emmanuel Noah, and they are the parents of four children.

"When I am elected to serve as mayor of Tampa, I will deliver results to enhance and elevate Tampa for the benefit of all residents and visitors," she said.

"I will work to decrease the unemployment rate of women, people of color, young people and all people, I will work with activists, advocates and community members to lead the nation in rooting out corruption, providing affordable housing, workforce development, economic development, and transparency and accountability," Noah said.