Akela Crawford is a native of Atlanta, Georgia, who spent her young adult years in Durham North Carolina while attending North Carolina Central University for undergraduate studies and law school. Shortly after finishing law school, she joined DC Public Schools (DCPS) where she spent over 3 years as a compliance case manager ensuring that DCPS carried out its legal obligations under the Individuals with Disability Education Act. After leaving DCPS in 2015, Akela went into private practice and found her passion in community lawyering through her volunteer work with the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless (WLCH). In 2017, she left private practice and joined WLCH as a staff attorney. Since then, she has spent her legal career providing legal services to the DC Community in the areas of shelter rights, public benefits, affordable housing preservation, anti-eviction/tenant defense, and education. Currently, Akela is the Director of Legal Services at Advocates for Justice and Education, Inc. where she manages a legal team that provides free legal representation to families in matters involving special education, school discipline, and school pushout issues with a specific focus on ensuring students equitable access to education.

In addition to her professional background, Akela is the mother of a very active six-year-old named Zion who loves playing tennis and lacrosse. Both Akela and Zion love to travel, love to explore the DMV area, and are avid supporters of the DC creative community. Whether it’s catching thought-provoking plays, attending captivating musical concerts, or frequenting the many vibrant festivals/events throughout the area, Akela (and Zion) is always out and about enjoying life!