Originally from Irmo, South Carolina, Rashida Williamson moved to Atlanta in 2014 to begin her collegiate journey at Clark Atlanta University. There, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in History. She later went on to complete her Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Government Administration in 2021, and she is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Education.
Her interest in politics and public service began in high school after learning about government affairs and the role of lobbyists. While she once considered becoming a lobbyist, her experiences working within government spaces shifted her focus toward serving the community directly. Interning with public officials and witnessing firsthand how policy impacts everyday people inspired her to pursue a career centered on advocacy and engagement.
Today, Rashida works as a Community Engagement Manager at Atlanta BeltLine Inc., where she focuses on the Westside and Southside communities of Atlanta. Her work centers on protecting residents and amplifying their voices as development and gentrification continue to reshape the city.
Alongside her public service career, she is also the owner of Lynn Engagement, her event design company. Rashida currently serves on three advisory boards, continuing her commitment to civic involvement and community leadership.
Much of her inspiration comes from the generations of women in her family. Her great-grandmother was born into slavery, her grandmother worked as domestic help, and her mother was born during the Civil Rights era. Their resilience and progress across generations remind her how recent history truly is and continue to motivate her work today.
Looking ahead, Rashida envisions a future where she continues serving communities while eventually transitioning into consulting work, allowing her the flexibility to balance her professional passions with her personal dream of becoming a mother.
In her free time, she enjoys making herbal teas, tending to her garden, and caring for her plants.
She lives by a quote from Kerry Washington:
“You may not be thinking about politics, but politics is thinking about you.”
