Bess was best known for organizing the New York City Black Political Convention in 1982, working as an executive director of the Twenty-First Century Foundation, and being a board member of the Black United Fund. She also created new youth programs at the Minisink Town House. Additionally, she worked in television and film, and was special assistant to Basil Patterson throughout his terms as deputy mayor of New York City and New York State Secretary of State. Unfortunately, Bess was murdered during an attempted robbery at the age of 39.