Meet Markita

Ms. Bryant is a dedicated and passionate individual who believes in the potential of others and lives by the principle of selflessness. She embraces the idea that she has a divine purpose and views every step of her journey as worthwhile. Born and raised in the Ward 8 area of Washington, D.C., Ms. Bryant encountered numerous challenges early in life, including experiencing homelessness and losing loved ones to violence and incarceration. Despite facing adversity, she persevered, drawing strength from her upbringing and turning challenges into triumphs.

During her formative years, Ms. Bryant achieved several milestones. While attending the Patricia Roberts Harris Educational Center, she authored a book titled 'When the Rain Stops,' which reflected the prevalent issues in her community. During her families move, she enrolled at the former Orr Elementary School, where she actively collaborated with her teachers to excel as a young achiever. Additionally, she was actively involved in cheerleading at the #11 Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington DC, where she demonstrated exceptional skill. Furthermore, she excelled in volleyball and softball during her time at Kramer Middle School. During her time as a student at Kramer Middle School, she was honored to receive an invitation to attend a speech delivered by former President William 'Bill' Clinton at the White House in the Rose Garden. Later in her adolescent years, at The New School for Enterprise and Development Public Charter High School, Ms. Bryant was elected Homecoming Queen, ranked as the #1 debater in her school and the entire DC region in the Marshall-Brennan Urban Debate League, and received recognition as the Most Valuable Team Member in the DC Superior Courts Mock Trial Competition. Furthermore, she emerged as the winner of the Marshall-Brennan William H. Karchmer Moot Court Competition for the DC/MD/VA area at the American University School of Law, where the topics argued correlated with the rights of the United States Constitution. Her exceptional achievements also led to her being acknowledged as the Washington Post’s Top Achiever in her senior year. Additionally, she served as the Student Body President in her 11th and 12th-grade years and delivered an inspiring graduation speech to the student body on achieving greatness. She is a proud graduate of the District of Columbia Public School System, where she graduated at the top of her class.

After recognizing the needs of the times, Ms. Bryant pursued further education while working. In her pursuit of educational goals, she obtained a separate certification in the legal field, which propelled her career in the Federal Government. Ms. Bryant recently commemorated her thirteenth year of service in the Federal Government. She has always expressed her sincere gratitude to the Honorable Marion S. Barry for equipping her with the skills necessary to kickstart her career during her formative years. During her participation in the Summer Youth Program, she had the unique opportunity to develop a diverse set of skills while working closely with former Councilmember Adrian Fenty as his personal and research assistant during her teenage years. This experience provided her with valuable insights into the field of Public Service and a deeper understanding of the inner workings of the District Government. She accompanied the Councilmember to a variety of events, including hearings, community gatherings, and meetings on Capitol Hill, further enriching her knowledge and expertise in the realm of government affairs. This experience provided her with valuable early exposure to governance, city budgets, constituent service work, and significant community engagement.

Moreover, she has taken on the role of a dedicated community advocate, generously volunteering her personal time to address pressing issues within the community. Her focus areas included education, housing, and public safety. The focus issues she struggled with earlier in life were challenges she hoped to overcome in the future. With great determination, she finally took the necessary steps to bring about the change she had longed for. In an educational capacity, she was chosen by DCPS Headquarters to be one of 25 District of Columbia parents on the Out of School Time Programs Stakeholders Committee in 2019. The selected parents were responsible for reviewing the outcomes of 54 after-school program sites and providing an overview of the program structure. These programs were funded by a budget of $4.1 million through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21CCLC) grant and city funds. During the height of the pandemic, she tirelessly advocated for students with medical conditions to ensure their safety during the mandatory return to school. Her efforts led to the passing of legislation that provided protection for students with severe medical conditions, ultimately approved by council members. She is a passionate advocate for education, inspired by her grandmother's 25+ years of service to the District of Columbia Public School System. On a level of the housing capacity, at the National Homeowners Month celebration hosted by Wells Fargo, she shared her personal experience in the realm of housing. At this event, $500,000 was distributed to five nonprofit organizations with the aim of providing permanent affordable housing for residents East of the River. She recounted her journey as a recipient of the city's first-time homeowner program, highlighting the pivotal role played by the additional grant from BirdSEED in turning her homeownership dream into reality. Furthermore, she emphasized the importance of estate planning services provided by DCALF in preserving her legacy and enabling her to remain in the place she proudly calls home. This event underscored the strong values associated with homeownership and the profound impact it can have on individuals and communities alike. Moreover, she has assisted fellow community members in preserving their legacies by emphasizing the significance of estate planning for those striving to maintain residency in our city. In a recent article in the Washington City Paper, she, as a native of DC, recounted her upbringing in the East of the River neighborhood. She provided valuable insights into her life in the community. She contributed to the book "Just Action - How to Challenge Segregation Enacted Under the Color of Law" by Richard and Leah Rothstein. In this book, it featured her inspiring story of overcoming homelessness in her youth to eventually achieving homeownership. Her journey highlights resilience and the importance of addressing social issues related to the ills of housing. At a recent public hearing for the FY 2024 Annual Action Plan on housing in Washington, D.C., she shared her personal story in order to enhance housing in our city. Her testimony was presented at the city's Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Furthermore, she has been actively involved in numerous public safety initiatives, demonstrating her commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of the community. She has taken part in initiatives aimed at preventing crime, including community walks, rallies, public hearings, and local meetings. Her goal has always been set on helping to deter crime and support her community in enhancing safety. Recently, she was an avid voice and actively participated in a public safety teletownhall hosted by the Mayor and Deputy Mayors. The event focused on gathering community input regarding priorities and the selection of the new Chief of Police for the District of Columbia. As a result of this process, Chief Pamela Smith was recently appointed to the position. She teamed up with MPD to participate in the innovative pilot program aimed at reducing carjackings, called MPD's AirTag/Tile Giveaway. This initiative helps people track their vehicles using AirTags or Tiles. Markita is dedicated to advocacy work that tackles significant community issues. She aims to find practical solutions and amplify the voices of those in need, ensuring their concerns are acknowledged. Her efforts reflect a strong commitment to her roots and the well-being of her community.

In addition to her role as a community advocate, she also serves as an inspirational speaker and mentor to numerous young individuals. Over the years, she has provided mentorship to over 5000+ youths in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia regions. This achievement was made possible through collaborations with various organizations, such as group homes, shelters, hospitals, schools, churches, and local groups, all with the goal of motivating the younger generation to strive for excellence. She takes great pride in giving back to her community, which she fondly refers to as home, and has consistently been involved in events aimed at changing trajectories and improving the lives of others.

One remarkable example of her dedication to community service is her participation in a 5k race organized by the Youth Leadership Foundation. The event successfully raised $20,000 to support the academic advancement of underprivileged youth in Wards 7 and 8. In recognition of her unwavering support and advocacy for young women, she was honored with the prestigious Avis Birely Award from Hearts and Homes for Youth. This award pays tribute to her commitment to empowering youth, embodying the values of Avis Birely, the inaugural Chairwoman of the Montgomery County Council. Birely's legacy of uniting the community to enhance the lives of young people in 1968 serves as an inspiration for her own philanthropic efforts. Additionally, she was recognized with the Lit in DC award for her significant contributions to improving the District of Columbia. Most recently, she was named the Working Mom of the Year DMV award recipient for 2023 at the Working Mom Conferences. This accolade celebrates her exceptional volunteer work within the community, all while successfully balancing the responsibilities of motherhood.

In addition to her community involvement, she has participated in a variety of activities that have enriched her experiences. She has made appearances as an extra on the Emmy-nominated television show 'House of Cards' and attended the prestigious Emmys in 2019. Furthermore, she has garnered experience in modeling and pageantry, achieving the 2nd Runner Up position in the Ms. District of Columbia United States pageant in 2013. Currently, she is dedicated to furthering her education at the esteemed Catholic University of America. Additionally, she is an active member of the Temple of Praise Baptist Church, which is situated in her community of Ward 8. Her commitment to personal growth and community involvement exemplifies her dedication to making a positive impact in both her academic pursuits and her local community.

One of her most cherished and deeply held responsibilities is her role as a mother to her young son, Kaiden. Her love for her son knows no bounds and remains steadfast, creating a home filled with warmth and love. Each moment spent with her beloved son serves as a constant source of inspiration in her life's journey. In addition to her nurturing role at home, she is committed to making a meaningful contribution as a valued member of her community. Through her actions, she exemplifies that positive change is not only attainable but also within reach for all.