Racquel is the daughter of Jamaican immigrants who came to the United States with a simple but powerful goal: to create more opportunity for their daughters. Her parents taught her early that progress does not happen by accident. It happens when people show up, speak up, and take responsibility for their communities.
Through her mother’s involvement in civic life, Racquel was exposed to politics and advocacy at a young age. She saw firsthand how decisions made in government shape everyday life, and how important it is for ordinary people to be part of that process. That early exposure planted the seed for a lifelong commitment to public service and community engagement.
Every year, since she was nine years old, she traveled to Caucus Weekend, watching her mother move through rooms where real decisions were debated and real power was exercised. As a young person, she didn’t just observe politics, she absorbed it. She listened, learned, and paid attention to who showed up for their communities and how they did the work.
Those early experiences made something clear to her: government shapes everyday life, and ordinary people deserve a seat at the table. That understanding planted the foundation for a lifelong commitment to public service, civic engagement, and showing up where it matters.
That foundation carried Racquel to the University at Albany, where she studied political science and deepened her understanding of how policy, power, and people intersect. During her time in college, she interned with the New York State Executive Chamber.
She also had the pleasure to serve as a White House intern during the administration of Barack Obama where she gained a national perspective on public service and saw what it looks like when leadership is grounded in values, rigor, and respect for everyday people.
While many students pass through Albany and move on after graduation, Racquel stayed because she truly fell in love with the city itself. She saw Albany not just as a capital, but as a community. A place shaped by history, resilience, and neighbors who genuinely care about where they live and how it grows. Albany felt lived in, purposeful, and full of possibility, and Racquel wanted to be part of its future, not just a visitor to it.
That commitment deepened when she earned her Juris Doctor from Albany Law School. Law school sharpened her understanding of how policy, advocacy, and lived experience intersect, and it also brought her leadership into clearer focus.
As President of the Black Student Association, Racquel worked to ensure that students felt seen, supported, and empowered. She advocated for equity and inclusion, created space for honest dialogue, and helped elevate student voices within the law school community.
Beyond the classroom, Racquel stayed actively engaged in civic life. She has connected with grassroots organizers, local leaders, and residents who were committed to making government more responsive and accessible. As a member of the Albany Tulip Court, she had the honor of representing the city she loved, celebrating its culture, traditions, and people while building relationships across neighborhoods and generations.
Together, these experiences rooted Racquel even more deeply in Albany. They shaped her belief that strong communities are built through participation, service, and showing up consistently. Albany became more than the place where she studied law. It became home, and a community she remains committed to serving with care, accountability, and purpose.
Racquel’s professional career reflects her belief that government should be a tool for opportunity, not an obstacle.
After law school, Racquel worked as legislative counsel for Velmanette Montgomery, where she played an integral role in legislative work focused on equity, community stability, and social justice. This includes making changes to the Statewide Central Register, the bill that granted adopted individuals the right to their unredacted birth certificate, and Raise the Age. That experience gave her a deep, practical understanding of how laws are drafted, budgets are negotiated, and advocacy turns into real outcomes.
Today, Racquel serves as a Vice President at Mercury Public Affairs, where she advocates on behalf of nonprofits,
mission-driven organizations, and community-focused initiatives. She also provides pro-bono support to groups working to expand access to opportunity and critical services, ensuring that voices without deep pockets are still heard in the halls of power.
Racquel lives in downtown Albany with her dog Jambi, and is deeply committed to the people and neighborhoods she calls home. She is running to bring thoughtful, hands-on leadership to county government and to help ensure Albany County is a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
