Mekyah McQueen is an educator, a fierce advocate for youth and families, and an unwavering problem solver. She is the strongest advocate to represent District 61 in the Georgia State House and fight for our Democratic values - a well-funded public education system, protecting our right to vote, and expanding Medicaid. 

 

A daughter of the district, Mekyah grew up in the Ben Hill and Welcome All neighborhoods in South Fulton, where she attended Atlanta Public Schools. She is the eldest daughter of hardworking parents, who instilled in her a deep appreciation for education and social justice. From an early age, Mekyah was inspired by the power of the collective, hearing her father’s stories from participating in North Carolina lunch counter sit-ins and watching him advocate on the picket line as a proud union ironworker. 

 

A product of Atlanta Public Schools, Mekyah continued her education at Spelman College, where she earned a degree in Mathematics. Mekyah’s journey led her to the classroom, where she discovered her calling as a math teacher. Her decades in the classroom have equipped her with a unique insight into the complexities of education policy and how policies on paper manifest in practice in the classroom.

 

As a current high school teacher, Mekyah will be the only active public school teacher in the State House. She brings a voice sorely lacking among our current elected leadership and offers a perspective that is deeply rooted in the daily experiences of students and families. 

 

Mekyah’s dedication extends beyond the classroom; while teaching overseas in Dubai, Mekyah’s school year was cut short when her mother’s health took a turn. When Mekyah moved back home to care for her mother, her experience navigating our healthcare system illuminated the systemic barriers in place for Georgians. As a result, she now sits on the Board of Directors for TAMTAM Global, a non-profit dedicated to research on Black Women’s Health. 

 

Mekyah resides in Smyrna with her sister and her dog, Jace. She finds joy in music and the arts, and is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.