About Ayesha
Growing up as the oldest of three girls, in a single parent Jamaican immigrant household in the Jefferson Park Public Housing Development in Cambridge, Ayesha witnessed first hand the socioeconomic barriers that families face. Ayesha is the product of the public school system, graduating from Cambridge Rindge and Latin and later attending Wheelock College attaining a Bachelor and a Masters degrees in Social Work.
With over 20 years of service in human services and youth work, Ayesha has felt compelled to serve on an even broader level by running for school committee in Cambridge. She is an advocate for children and is passionate about empowering students and parents to use their voices. Her focus is to make an impact through the combined efforts of students, parents, educators, and the community at large. Ayesha is committed to be a servant leader who assists students in realizing their abundant potential. These unique qualities have afforded Ayesha many opportunities to serve the City of Cambridge’s youth in many capacities.
With her deep Cambridge roots, wealth of knowledge, experience, and track record of service, Ayesha is prepared to translate her passion and commitment into action to contribute to a shared city vision.
Ayesha currently works with 8th-12th grade students through Cambridge Housing Authority’s “The Work Force Program”' developing and implementing programs for youth focusing on life skills, job readiness, career awareness, and post-secondary opportunities. She also serves as a Cambridge School Committee member where she has been a champion for all Cambridge students by chairing the Special Education and Student Supports Subcommittee meetings, co-authoring policy to prioritize racial equity as a school district, advocated for a k-12 mental health curriculum, working closely on the implementation of Universal Preschool for SY 2024-2025 and more.
Now, Ayesha is running for Cambridge City Council because her experiences and leadership as a lifelong resident, social worker, non-profit leader, mental health advocate and school committee member have given her the insight, experience and vision to help build a Cambridge for everyone.
Education
Wheelock College: Masters of Social Work
Wheelock College: Bachelor of Social Work
Urban College of Boston: Associates Degree in Human Services
Experience
The Work Force Program: Senior Teacher-Counselor
City of Cambridge: Teen Program Director
Academic and Behavioral Clinic: Clinician/Lead School-Based Clinician
City of Cambridge Childcare After School Program: Teacher
Mayor’s Youth Summer Employment Program: Counselor, Senior Counselor, Assistant Coordinator of Payroll and Operations
City of Cambridge: Youth Worker
Two term Cambridge School Committee Member
Affiliations
YWCA Board of Directors: Since June 2019
Emerge Massachusetts: Class of 2019
YWCA Girls Only Leadership Development (GOLD): Mentor Since 2017
Cambridge Branch NAACP: Secretary Since 2016
Awards
2023 Cambridge Chamber of Commerce Inspire Awardee
2023 Black Excellence On The Hill Honoree