03/13/2026
Paint Pink ’s very own Jo Ann Smith Hughes will be speaking at Hampton Roads Pride’s next Community Connection event on 3/31!
This month, our Community Connection event celebrates International Women’s Month with a special all-female panel. Leading up to the event on March 31 at the Wells Theatre in Norfolk, we’ll be introducing each of our incredible speakers.
Master Police Officer Jo Ann Hughes has spent more than two decades serving the City of Norfolk, building a career rooted in trust, connection, and community partnership. Since joining the Norfolk Police Department in 2004, she has worked across Community Affairs, Crime Prevention, Training and Recruiting, Strategic Management, and the Public Information Office. Whether mentoring new officers, shaping policy, or working directly with residents as a Community Resource Officer, Jo Ann has remained focused on strengthening relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
In 2016, she became involved with the Norfolk Crime Line program, deepening her commitment to collaborative public safety. In 2019, she was appointed the department’s first full-time Crime Line Coordinator within the Detective Division, helping expand anonymous tip reporting and ensuring community members have a safe, trusted way to share information that can solve cases and protect neighborhoods.
Jo Ann’s impact extends beyond Norfolk. As Chair of the Greater Hampton Roads Regional Crime Line Board, she helps coordinate Crime Line programs across the region, strengthening collaboration between agencies and communities.
Outside of law enforcement, Jo Ann also serves as Vice President of Paint Pink, a nonprofit providing financial assistance to individuals fighting cancer—reflecting her deep commitment to service, compassion, and community.
