
Alyia is all in for Alexandria; she is ready to help her new home thrive for generations to come.

In Pursuit of Justice
When Alyia was a small child in church, she was struck by words that have guided her ever since: “What does the Lord require of you but to seek justice” (Micah 6:8). To Alyia, justice means that everyone has what they need to live a life that brings them joy, and everyone can live as their full self without being mistreated because of their race, economic circumstances, gender identity, sexual orientation, abilities, or immigration status. Alyia believes policy is critical to achieving justice and equity. Policy determines how resources are allocated, how laws and regulations are enforced, how we respond when systems break down--whether in a pandemic, flood, or budget crisis--and how people who don’t have power get their needs met.

Alyia and her mom.
In addition to her extensive service in Alexandria, Alyia has worked in a variety of roles to advance solutions to cities’ most pressing issues. She has worked on hunger policy at D.C. Hunger Solutions, on the health team at the National League of Cities, and managed an affordable housing investment program at the Center for Community Investment. She is currently a Senior Program Officer at a national philanthropic organization and helps communities create places that promote the physical, social, and economic health of people through her consulting business, CitiesRX.

Taken with necessary COVID safety procedures
Alyia's
Experience

Taken with Covid pod
Alyia attended Vanderbilt University, where she majored in medicine, health, and society, and later went to the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned a master’s degree in public health. She has also recently honed her policy chops with a master’s in urban planning at Georgetown and earned a Professional Certificate in Municipal Finance from the University of Chicago. She is an Emerge Virginia and the New Leaders Council graduate.