This spring, Maryland reached a turning point in Black political leadership when Angela Alsobrooks became the state's first Black U.S. senator and Aisha Braveboy was sworn in as Prince George's County executive. Their rises, from local prosecutor offices to powerful elected positions, show that people are ready for a new era of government that’s based on fairness, change, and, most importantly, they trust Black women. 

Angela Alsobrooks: The First Black U.S. Senator from Maryland

Alsobrooks, who has lived in Prince George's County her whole life, was sworn in as Maryland's first Black senator on January 3. She made history as the county's first female state's attorney in 2011 and then as its first Black female county executive in 2018.

Prince George's saw a huge 50% drop in violent crime under her leadership. Alsobrooks initiated projects such as a domestic violence unit and a police misconduct task force. She also worked to protect the environment by investing more than $1 billion in stormwater systems and setting a goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2045. 

Alsobrooks talked about a shared-sense approach to representation in a primary interview

in 2024, stating, "There aren't enough people in the U.S. Senate who live like, think like, and look like the people they're supposed to represent." 

She agreed with Kamala Harris's approach to prosecution and stressed that it aligns with her campaign slogan: "If you don't like something, go farther and do better."

Alsobrooks also made history by becoming the first Black woman to serve in the Senate simultaneously with another Black woman from Pennsylvania and Delaware. She called the moment the "Day of Joy" and stressed the importance of the timing and symbolism for Black representation in politics.

Aisha Braveboy: From County Executive to Prosecutor

Aisha Braveboy won the Prince George's County executive seat on June 3, with an overwhelming 89% of the vote. Her record as a state attorney helped her win.

Braveboy has been quick to set up her team, naming Maxene Bardwell as Chief Administrative Officer just days after she was elected. She also put together a transition board that includes notable Maryland figures including Attorney General Anthony Brown, Dr. Aminta H. Breaux the president of Bowie State University, and former County Executive Rushern Baker III. 

During her time as a prosecutor, she focused on making sweeping changes. She took questions about criminal records off of state job applications, voted in favor of legislation to repeal the death penalty, which passed the House of Delegates by a 82–56 vote, and made expanded diversion programs for kids and survivors of domestic violence. Not to mention, she also advocated for prison detainees to be released early during the pandemic to lower the risk to public health.

As county executive, Braveboy has both a chance and a challenge: to deal with budget problems, improve schools and public safety, and stabilize the county's business base—all without raising taxes. Her win also brought about a unified Democratic government for the first time in years, which made it easier for them to work together on policy. 

Shared Roots, Shared Vision

What ties these two leaders together is their shared experience as prosecutors who shifted toward reform-minded leadership. Both are deeply rooted in community, and both prioritize holistic governance—spanning public safety, economic opportunity, and environmental health.

Alsobrooks brings her county-tested policies to the federal stage, while Braveboy carries forward that legacy locally, ensuring it thrives and evolves. Their ascents mark a powerful example of what Black women in leadership bring to governance: grounded experience, data-driven reform, and the ability to balance justice with empathy.

Significance Beyond Maryland

More than milestone achievements, Alsobrooks and Braveboy embody a national movement: Black women ascending political ladders and reshaping power structures. Their presence reflects the growing belief—and record—that experienced, equity-centered leadership can transform institutions at every level.

As the political landscape continues to evolve (and devolve in some instances) in 2025, Maryland offers a clear model: one in which Black women lead on issues—from policing and housing to climate resilience and education—both at home and on Capitol Hill.