Little discusses her vision for the newly formed 19th District

The PW Perspective has endorsed Makya Little based on her congruence with our values as an anti-racist publication, from educational equity to women’s rights, and the willingness to take on the governing structure in the pursuit of justice. Last week, she announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination of the 19th House District Delegates, which includes areas of both Prince William and Fairfax Counties.  

“Although I was considering a potential run for public office, education equity was my focus,” said Little in a recent interview with the PW Perspective. “However, I got a call from a local party leader asking me to consider running for the 19^th House of Delegates. If I ran for anything, it probably would have been for the school board, because I feel that there needed to be an additional voice of support for those on the board who are pushing to ensure that Prince William County maintains a posture towards equity in education.”

“I called my best friend to share my thoughts, and she asked, ‘Why not?’ and I couldn’t come up with a good answer. My advocacy work does extend beyond education equity. I recently wrote a bill on divorce law reform to remove the one-year waiting period that domestic abuse survivors have to wait when they file on the grounds of cruelty.”

She credits the influence of several people in her life in preparing her for this moment—most notably the late Congressman Elijah Cummings. “He was such an inspiration to me. And I say that he didn’t call me out, he called me up,” she says. 

“When we had the chance to meet in 2019 about the lack of African American history being taught in public schools, my question was essentially how can you help me solve this problem? His response was pretty much, ‘I’m not going to do anything. You already have the resources to address it yourself.’ He and his staff coached me and prepared me to meet with Governor Northam’s office, and to seek the experiences of others before the meeting. So I wasn’t just speaking for myself, but also for those with whom I had engaged.”

“That gave me the framework for advocacy. Every time I see something that’s unjust or not right, I hear the words of the late Congressman [Cummings], that we who have benefited from education are to take up an issue and run with it.”

For her, it’s not about what she can gain as a delegate, but the opportunity to benefit the district on a higher level. “For those who know me,” she says, “they know that I’m driven by impact through my work, but really having the ability and privilege to make a difference means a lot to me.”

Her experience of working for the government has given her a unique perspective on how to operate within its boundaries as a delegate. “When I worked at the CIA, I enjoyed the work so much I thought about transferring there from the FBI full time. While I served there, a retiring officer gave me some advice, ‘There’s no good or bad people, good or bad races, there are simply people who use power responsibly and people who allow themselves to be drunken by power.’ If your actions don’t fall into one of three categories: helping people, solving problems, or helping people solve problems, then you’ve been drunken by power.”

“That stuck with me and I bequeathed it to my children. God made us to be resources for one another, and they’re for you to benefit those around you.”

She credits her learning about life from her days back at Florida A&M University. “I have a passion for HBCUs and, as an Army brat who constantly alternated between environments where I was the only Black girl in my grade level, then moving to places like Prince George’s County [Maryland] where they could pronounce my name. I thrive in inclusive environments where I can experience the diversity of people who look like me who also have diverse experiences.”

“FAMU was named College of the Year for 1997-1998. So Dr. Humphries felt that if we were the number one HBCU in the nation, why wouldn’t we recruit from the number one high school? So every year, he would send two recruiters to TJ. It made me feel welcome, because it’s just that. We’re like a tribe, and there is even diversity among the alums. From Melvin Carter to Keshia Lance Bottoms, Will Packer, and K. Michelle, there’s this love for our university and we’re taught the mantra of ‘Excellence with Caring.’ That is one of the things that got me into the advocacy space because they made sure it was baked into our DNA.”

Despite the obstacles ahead in order to win the seat, she mentions what makes her the right person to represent the district. “As a creative problem solver, I would bring a diversity of experiences, an ear for empathy, and a heart to serve a district that has yet to be defined.”

“I genuinely feel called to this work, and my faith played a major role in my decision to serve. Advocacy—I accept as part of my purpose.”

More information about her campaign can be found on her website. 

(Photos for this article courtesy of MAD Works Photography)