Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashanti Martinez.
Hi Ashanti, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I got my start in politics around age 14, I joined the Prince George’s County Young Democrats after I invited their President to my high school to participate in a voter registration drive the Student Government Association (SGA) hosted. SGA is where my leadership skills were developed. From class council, school SGA, Prince George’s County Regional Association of Student Governments, to the Maryland Association of Student Councils I was presented with ample opportunities to mold my leadership skills and build relationships with fellow student leaders across my county and the state of Maryland. During my time at Howard University, I met State Delegate Joseline Pena-Melnyk right as she was beginning to embark on her journey to run for Maryland’s 4th Congressional District in 2016. Working on Del. Pena-Melnyk campaign was the experience of a lifetime. It was one of the first times I saw myself in government – Del. Pena-Melnyk like me is Afro-Latino. Following the 2016 race, I went to work for the Legislative Latino Caucus in Annapolis and in 2018 I ran for Maryland House of Delegates at 21 years old. I learned a lot about myself and my community as a candidate. After my unsuccessful bid for House of Delegates in 2018, I went to work for the County Council as Director of Constituent Services for Councilmember Tom Dernoga. My two years at the Council was filled with growth. Learning how to deliver services to constituents was an invaluable experience. Having the opportunity to see first-hand how government can work for the betterment of people and our communities was inspiring. For the first time, I truly felt I was placed in a position to make a difference in the lives of working families. Working through the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic and seeing the holes in our safety net here in Maryland I decided I needed to run again for House of Delegates to fight for the needs of our community.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t always been the easiest – being Black, Latino, Gay, and younger than most in my field I often am presented with hurdles others won’t have to navigate through. But I see every challenge as an opportunity.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Currently, I’m the Research and Policy analysis for CASA representing our members interest in Prince George’s and Montgomery County’s. I’m also a Democratic Candidate for Maryland House of Delegates, District 22 which covers the areas of Hyattsville, Lanham, New Carrollton, Edmonston, Greenbelt, Riverdale, Berwyn Heights, and University Park. I proudly serve as an advisory board member for St. Mary’s Landover Hills School and previously on the 20|30 Washington, D.C. Leadership Council for the Clinton Foundation. I’ve also been named in the “Top 30 Under 30” by 93.9 WKYS in 2017 and featured on the “Forty Under 40” by the Prince George’s County Social Innovation Fund. In 2018 I was awarded the Young Futurists by The Root and in 2020 I was listed as The Daily Record’s “Top 40 under 40, Very Important Professionals (VIP)” for Maryland. What makes me the most proud is that every day I get the opportunity to give voice to the voiceless in the halls of power.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
As a son of Prince George’s County, I love its people. We’re such a diverse County and I absolutely love our culture. What I don’t like is how establishment politicians have taken advantage of our people and aren’t focused on the needs of our families.
Contact Info:
- Email: ashanti@ashantimartinez.com
- Website: AshantiMartinez.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashantifmartinez/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AshantiFMartinez
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MartinezforMD
