Community activist and City Hall official jumps in race to replace Tim McCarthy on the City Council

Alkia Powell of Hyde Park, currently neighborhood business manager in the city's Office of Small Business, announced today she is running for the District 5 (Hyde Park, Roslindale, Mattapan) city-council seat being vacated this year by Tim McCarthy.

Powell had previously worked in the Mayor’s Office of Fair Housing and Equity and says she will run on her 20 years of experience as a community activist.

I have empathy as a leader. Not only do I have a strong professional background to lead as an effective city councilor, but I also have the personal experience to understand what people are going through in their day-to-day struggles. As a single mother, I was pushed out of my own house because I could no longer afford rent. I have experienced first-hand the struggle of navigating the current system to find an affordable place to call home.

She joins a growing field of candidates for the two-year seat.