Malcolm Kenyatta

Malcolm Kenyatta 

Malcolm Kenyatta- the politician breaking barriers in Pennsylvania and providing hope for our generation. 

On the surface, we know a few things about Malcolm Kenyatta; he is a state representative for the 181st Legislative District in Pennsylvania's General Assembly, activist, and community leader. But who is Malcolm Kenyatta, and what drives him to be so strong-willed for his community? 

Born to a mother who was a nurse and home healthcare aide, and a father who was a social worker, it is clear how compassion and empathy were instilled in Malcolm Kenyatta. Moreover, Kenyatta has familial roots in politics, as his grandfather, Muhammad I. Kenyatta, was a civil rights activist who advocated for ending poverty in communities of color and the inclusion of Black communities in politics. Little did he know his grandson would be joining the realm of politics and become a force to be reckoned with.

During his time in college, where he earned a bachelor's degree in public communications with a minor in political science, Kenyatta was not afraid to have his voice heard. For example, in 2012, students from various universities across Pennsylvania gathered in the State Capitol building to advocate for higher education funding. The Temple News, a university-based news service, described then-student Kenyatta as “arguably the loudest speaker of the event” who criticized legislators for not being in attendance at the event (Brust, 2018). Additionally, Kenyatta asked legislators not to “bet against our generation,” which speaks volumes in a time when a majority of legislators are consistently of a certain demographic that is not representative of our ever-changing country. Later, Kenyatta received his master’s degree in public communications at Drexel University, building skills that seamlessly intertwine with his persona. 

With an unwavering passion for changing Philadelphia for the better, Kenyatta states that he is “North Philly through-and-through. I grew up here and never left. I believe that North Philly’s best days are ahead. We can make a difference and together we can unleash the possibilities for a better North Philly” (Malcolm Kenyatta for PA). As the first openly LGBTQ person of color and one of the youngest members elected to the PA General Assembly, Kenyatta understands the importance of creating an inclusive society.

In 2016, Kenyatta was elected as Delegate to the Democratic Convention (PA 2nd), remarkably achieving the second-highest vote total of any delegate in the Commonwealth. He currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Philadelphia Delegation, a member of the Governor’s Taskforce on Suicide Prevention, and a host of committee leadership positions. Other roles include serving as the diversity and inclusion engagement coordinator for The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia and working as a certified anti-bias trainer with the Anti-Defamation League. Kenyatta’s resume is clearly impressive, and the content of his work speaks volumes about his character. 

With a strong dedication to serving and uplifting his community, Kenyatta’s work truly speaks for itself. For example, regarding legislation, some of Kenyatta’s proposals aim to address generational poverty, raise the minimum wage and protect workers’ rights, increase accessibility to mental health care, and enact common sense measures to address gun violence. He has also appeared on local and national media outlets to discuss systemic poverty, affordable education and childcare, and how to make government more accountable to citizens. In a time when capitalism and greed are such strong traits in political leaders, Kenyatta’s ideals are genuinely a breath of fresh air, as he consistently keeps the everyday person in mind. 

Furthermore, Kenyatta’s impactful presence has not gone unnoticed. Recently honored by The Philadelphia Tribune as one of the most influential African-Americans in Philadelphia, Kenyatta’s work is undeniable. Moreover, he was the subject of an award-winning short documentary, ‘Going Forward’, in which the audience is taken through the day of November 6, 2018- the day of Kenyatta’s extraordinary election win. In several of the scenes, Kenyatta speaks directly with community members and acknowledges the issues that the city faces- which are some of the same issues that Kenyatta himself faced when growing up. When watching this short film, you can feel the genuine care that Kenyatta has for his community. Winning against Milton Street with 95.38% of the vote, Kenyatta’s remarks earlier in the documentary come to life: “People who know our experience best ought to be the ones representing us.” (Harris, 2018).

Even Former President Barack Obama acknowledged Kenyatta and his hairstyle, acknowledging our society’s progression in representation. Obama joked that we wouldn’t have seen that 20 years ago, and he’s absolutely right. When thinking about America’s longstanding anti-blackness and how hair discrimination is still present, Kenyatta breaks boundaries. This type of recognition is so important, as younger Black children can see this representation and not see their hair as a barrier, but something to be proud of. 

As discussed earlier, Kenyatta represents something special that we don’t often see in the world of politics; being young, Black, and openly LGBTQ+ is rare in a field typically dominated by white, cis-gender, heterosexual men. In recent times, we are seeing more and more representation in politics, but it is not enough. We will conclude with a powerful and relevant statement by Kenyatta: “We have to demand a seat at the table- not just for our citizens, but to lead the country in electing more diverse representatives. That means more women, more people of color, and of course more LGBT candidates, and I think it can happen if we as a community support them when they run” (Owens, 2016). 

References

Brust, A. (2018, October 30). Days before Corbett's budget address, students hold rally for higher education funding. Retrieved from https://temple-news.com/days-before-corbetts-budget-address-students-hold-rally-for-higher-education-funding/

Malcolm Kenyatta for PA. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.malcolmforpa.com/

Harris, T. (Director). Going Forward [Video file]. Retrieved from https://sevenknotsfilms.com/going-forward

Owens, E. (2016, February 10). Q&A: Malcolm Kenyatta on Being Openly LGBTQ in Local Politics. Retrieved from https://www.phillymag.com/news/2016/02/05/malcolm-kenyatta-politics-lgbtq/