Zakiya Newman: The next-gen Houston voting advocate

There is nothing conventional about Zakiya Newman—and that’s precisely what makes her impact so compelling.

Newman’s journey has taken her far beyond the expected path. Though a Houston native, she attended Deerfield Academy (Massachusetts) for high school, an experience that broadened her worldview early. For college, she ventured even farther, enrolling at Lewis & Clark College (Portland, Oregon), where she deepened her understanding of advocacy and policy.

At a time when Gen Z is often dismissed as disengaged or overly absorbed in digital culture, Newman represents a powerful counter-narrative. Her work in voter engagement reflects a deeper truth: Beneath the stereotypes lies a generation actively shaping the future. In many ways, she stands in a long lineage of Black women who have transformed civic participation into a vehicle for liberation and community empowerment.

Political awakening

Newman traces her political awakening to a moment that reshaped the nation.

“For me, it was the 2017 presidential election that got me fired up,” she said. “I just knew Hillary Clinton was going to win, like, the adults had it taken care of. But to see the outcome of that election, I was really shocked. That made me want to step up, because I realized the work isn’t done yet.”

At the time, she was still a high school senior. What followed was not passive frustration, but action. Newman immersed herself in phone banking, block walking, and eventually professional outreach work—both digital and on the ground.

“That election really sparked something inside me,” she said. “I’ve been learning so much, and it’s been really rewarding.”

Yet her engagement goes beyond politics—it’s also about reclaiming human connection in an increasingly isolated world.

“A lot of times, people in my generation talk about feeling lonely… being online so much,” she said. “But working in this space, I’ve been able to build real community. Those bonds and connections remind you there are good people—you’re just not looking in the right spaces.”

Global lens, local mission

Newman’s instinct to “step up” was sharpened through global experience. During her time at Lewis & Clark, she studied abroad in Jordan, where she encountered the history and lessons of the Arab Spring.

“Learning about people rising up because they felt unheard… then coming back to the United States—it motivated me,” she said. “If people across the world can mobilize and fight for what’s right, I need to bring that energy back here.”

That experience reframed civic engagement not as optional, but as essential—an obligation tied to justice and dignity.

Reimagining voter engagement

Today, Newman serves as the development director of Harris County Communities Meeting. Her previous voter advocacy work includes serving as field outreach director for a judicial campaign, strategic communications and outreach lead for Houston Justice, outreach coordinator for the Harris County Democratic Party, field director for an Ohio congressional campaign, and as a public policy intern for U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (Oregon).

One of the things she gravitates to, regardless of her title or organizational affiliation, is taking a non-traditional approach to connecting with potential voters. At Newman’s previous position with Houston Justice, they referred to this approach as “adding cheese on the broccoli.”

“We create spaces where people can get to know candidates in a more intimate way,” said Newman, describing efforts to make civic participation more inviting.

Those gatherings included community dinners, entertainment, and open dialogue—spaces designed to lower barriers and build trust, while welcoming voices from across the political spectrum.

Another hallmark of Newman’s work is an emphasis on consistency and education. From voter registration to runoff reminders, wherever Newman finds herself, she and members of her team are out ensuring that participation doesn’t end with a single act.

“It’s not enough just to register someone,” she said. “You have to remind them about election dates, answer questions about IDs, mail ballots—just being a trusted resource.”

Whether through canvassing, text banking, or community forums, Newman is all about building something deeper than turnout; she’s cultivating relationships rooted in trust and accountability.

Leadership that inspires

Those who work alongside Newman recognize her influence.

“In Zakiya, I see the emergence of a new generation of leadership—one that is informed, intentional, and unapologetically committed to equity and impact,” said Annie Johnson Benifield, founder of Houston Voting Initiative. “What impresses me most is her ability to translate passion into action and vision into results. She is not only doing the work—she is inspiring others to believe they can do it too.”

“Zakiya is very informative—she knows all the details,” said Patrick Chery, a former colleague at Houston Justice. “She’s organized, a great planner, and her spirit is always up. A lot of us look to her for information.”

Challenging the Gen Z narrative

Newman is quick to challenge the notion that her generation lacks depth or commitment.

“The most sensationalized things get the most attention,” she said. “If you’re not in the spaces where young people are doing incredible work, you won’t see it.”

She points to peers organizing, leading nonprofits, and driving change across communities.

“I’ve seen people younger than me starting organizations and doing groundbreaking work,” she said. “You just have to get offline and go into your community.”

Newman firmly believes transformation isn’t trending; it’s happening in grassroots spaces, regardless of the presence or absence of selfie sticks and online posts.

Rooted in legacy, driven by purpose

Newman draws inspiration from global figures like the late Alia Toukan (Queen of Jordan), admired for using her platform in the 1960s and 70s to advocate for women and marginalized communities in the Middle East.

“She used her privilege to fight for those who didn’t have it,” Newman said. “That impact is still recognized today.”

Newman also draws on the wisdom of the late singer/songwriter Selena Quintanilla, whose words resonate deeply with her mission: “The goal is not to live forever, but to build something that will last forever.”

In many ways, Newman is already doing just that; joining the long tradition of Black women building structures of engagement, trust, and empowerment that extend beyond any single election cycle.