About Shavonne

When I was in kindergarten, my dreams were simple but revealing: I wanted everyone in the world to have ducks and rabbits, I wanted my friend to have a doll, and I wanted to be a mermaid. Even then, those weren’t just childhood wishes, they reflected a spirit that always wanted the best for others. I believed joy, fairness, and possibility should be shared with everyone.

That belief has carried me through a life shaped by resilience. It took 17 years, five colleges, and three states to graduate, not because I lacked the ability, but because systemic barriers stood in my path. During the 2008 economic downturn, my parents, who had been paying out of pocket for my education, could no longer continue. I refused to give up. I worked, often holding multiple jobs, and paid for school one class at a time across Atlanta and Maryland.

At Clark Atlanta University (CAU), I found more than a campus, I found a guiding principle. Their motto, “Find a way or make one,” became my own. Though I didn’t finish my degree there, Clark Atlanta University wasn’t finished with me. That motto carried me through setbacks, inspired my persistence, and shaped how I approach challenges: with creativity, determination, and an unshakable belief that we all deserve the chance to keep going, no matter the obstacles.

I’ve always considered myself a self-organizer, someone who finds inspiration everywhere and tries to be a drop in the ocean of progress. In 2015, after reading an article about the poor quality of student meals in Atlanta Public Schools (APS), I asked myself, “How can I help?” The next day, I called around until I found a way to make a difference. With the support of my employer, I organized donations and labor to feed 440 students at Maynard H. Jackson High School. Later, in Washington, D.C., I partnered with my employer again to host a job shadow day for young mothers at Sasha Bruce Youthwork. These powerful women met hotel leadership, gained exposure to career opportunities in hospitality, and discovered tools to build a future for themselves and their families.

Alongside this work, I kept pursuing my education, because I’ve always believed learning opens doors. At the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), I studied history, sharpened my research skills, and began to understand how systems are built and where they so often fall short. At the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD), I earned my Master of Library and Information Science, focusing on legal informatics, which tied my commitment to fairness with the power of access to information. Today, I’m continuing that journey at Cornell University, working toward an Executive Master of Public Administration and deepening my knowledge of governance, resilience, and leadership. Each step has been about persistence, possibility, and a belief that education—like democracy—should be open and empowering for everyone.

Currently, I serve on the board of JusticeAccess, a mobile law library bridging the gap in access to justice. In the D.C.–Maryland–Virginia region, tens of thousands of people face civil legal issues each year, yet the vast majority, over 90% of low-income residents, must navigate them without adequate help. JusticeAccess brings information directly to D.C. neighborhoods, because everyone deserves equal footing when facing the law.

Most recently, I’ve worked at Metro in capital planning, where I’ve learned the importance of listening to communities to ensure investments reflect their priorities. In this role, I’ve learned how complex public investments are shaped and the importance of listening to stakeholders, from local governments to community partners, to ensure that projects reflect real priorities on the ground. That experience has reinforced my belief that public institutions work best when they stay connected to the people they serve.

From a kindergartner who wished for joy and fairness for others, to a student who fought through systemic barriers, to a professional dedicated to public service and community advocacy: my journey has prepared me for this moment. I’m running for Congress because I believe fairness shouldn’t be a privilege. It should be the standard.