Ashari James

Ashari James is known for her sharp intellect, global perspective, and deep commitment to educational equity. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Political Science at Howard University.

In partnership with Legends Charter School, Ashari previously served as the AmeriCorps Impact Coordinator for the Legends Fellowship Program, where she supported leadership development and community engagement initiatives for emerging educators.

Born in Buffalo and raised in the DMV, Ashari fulfills her intellectual curiosities as a political theorist exploring race, identity, ethnicity, and intersectionality. Her academic journey spans Howard University in Washington, D.C., Universidad Autonoma de Occidente in Cali, Colombia, and Universidad Anahuac in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Ashari's advocacy journey began in her early teens, where she actively engaged in youth-led movements focused on voting equity and civic engagement. She was one of the youngest advocates to testify before the D.C. Council in support of lowering the voting age to 16 with Vote16DC.

Her passion for public service expanded through her work with March For Our Lives DC, where she lobbied for gun violence prevention, and later with VoteZ, where she served as Director of Activist Outreach.

Through VoteZ, James curated voter registration events, organized youth-led forums, and hosted the podcast Creating Good Trouble, amplifying voices on issues ranging from D.C. statehood to climate justice and the power of the Black vote.