Akilah Rosado-McQueen

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Akilah Rosado is the daughter of a Puerto Rican nationalist and Bajan American educator. As a child, Akilah was introduced to and given access to the world of mainstream and “alternative” politics views. She saw first hand the impact of community engagement and activism. She also experienced firsthand the impact of a government’s abuse of power as her father was targeted by the FBI’s Counter Intelligence Program (COINTELPRO) for his involvement in the Puerto Rican Independence Movement.

After highschool, Akilah first attended Chatham College in Pittsburgh, PA before transfering to SUNY Purchase (Purchase College at SUNY) in New York. While earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, she became involved in organizing students in protesting Pataki’s tuition hikes and drastic cuts to essential academic programs for SUNY and CUNY schools. Akilah also was invited to join the Judicial Board, a Board made up of students, faculty, and administration which served to address issues of importance relative to breaking and amending policies on campus. This experience brought Akilah back to her passion for politics and influenced her thesis entitled “Insitutionalized Racism and Neo-Slavery in North America.”

After graduating college, Akilah accepted a position as a Legislative Analyst with the NYS Assembly. Between 1997 and 2005, she worked in various capacities including serving as a Legislative Aid, Director of Constituent Affairs, and Chief of Staff for various members of the Assembly. In 2005, Akilah left the Assembly to attend graduate school time, ultimately earning a Master’s of Science in Urban Policy and Mangement from Milano, the New School for Urban Policy and Management where her thesis focused on the need of performance management in early child development, particularly for day care centers that serve Black and Latino children.

Shortly before recieving her Master’s degree, Akilah was offered an opportunity to work as a consultant with The Public Strategies Group. Here she was given the freedom to work with leaders and experts in the field of performance mangement and government accountability. The mission of this work is to move government and relative agencies towards a results based post-bureaucratic system in form and function by providing better transparency and service to citizens.

While her primary work is to help transform government, Akilah’s passion for urban politics continues lead her back to supporting and developing current and emerging leaders in Brooklyn politics through campaign work and leadership development; primarily those committed ensuring that communities have access to and the support of their representatives. In 2008, Akilah successfully secured a seat on the Kings County Democratic County Committe to represent the 24th Election District in the 57th Assembly District.

Akilah resides in Brooklyn, NY with her husband, Kelvin and their 6 year old daughter.