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Arinze Ifekauche

Democrat, County Council (D2)

I am Arinze (ah-wren-zay) Ifekauche (if-uh-koo-chey), an award winning communications and public affairs professional with wide ranging experience in public policy, politics, and communications. I’m proud to have built massive grassroots campaigns for political candidates, government agencies, non-profits, and small businesses. And I have spent my entire career working to implement public policies that genuinely improve people's lives.

I spend much of my free time serving as Chair of a Howard County focused youth mentorship program (Kappa League). I’ve even expanded the mentorship program to include a grant funded partnership with the Howard County Local Children’s Board to reduce suspension rates among Black and Latino middle school boys in Elkridge. I also serve as a board member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Scholarship Foundation of Columbia, MD.

I’m an Oakland Mills resident and 39-year-old married father of three. I have a Bachelors and Masters degree in Public Relations. And my family and I are members of Celebration Church in Columbia.

What I’ve accomplished

A Career of Service at Scale

2008

Canvassing Director Managed what was considered by the Democratic Party as the best Congressional door-knocking program in America. In helping elect to Congress a Democrat—in Alabama—the campaign delivered a congressional majority to President Barack Obama.

2009

Capitol Hill Worked as a policy aide during the 111th Congress as part of the Democratic Majority that: 

- Provided millions of Americans relief through credit comprehensive reform to predatory credit card practices

- Passed a $787B stimulus package during the Great Recession

2010

Capitol Hill Worked as a policy aide during the 111th Congress as part of the Democratic Majority that: 

- Passed the health care law that outlawed insurance companies from denying health care coverage to Americans because of preexisting conditions.

- Passed a student loan forgiveness law to help struggling Americans pay off student loans

2012

Marriage Equality Recruited by Governor O’Malley’s administration to support a Statewide Get Out the Vote effort to approve Marriage Equality in Maryland so every person has the freedom to express their love with the highest form of devotion

2014

Campaign Manager Led the team that elected Marilyn Mosby as the youngest Chief Prosecutor in America. Mosby also became one of America’s only Black female Chief Prosecutors

2015

“Rising Star" Recognized as a Rising Star by Campaign & Elections Magazine for leading the team that elected Marilyn Mosby and drafting her Freddie Gray Speech that announced charges in the Freddie Gray police brutality case

2019

Maryland Democratic Party As Communications Director of the Maryland Democratic Party, worked with House and Senate Democrats, the Teacher’s Union, and Democratic County Executives to support the passage and implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future: policies and funding that seek to ensure equity in Maryland’s school system from early

2022

Monkeypox (Mpox) Outbreak Led Baltimore City’s communications response to the global Mpox outbreak to disseminate timely and accurate information, and encourage residents to receive life-saving vaccines

2024

Pilot Program Launched a youth engagement program in Elkridge in partnership with the Howard County Local Children’s Board. The Pilot is for Black and Latino middle school boys and seeks to reduce suspension rates through Social Emotional Learning and mentorship

Why County Council?

I’m running because fewer and fewer people can afford to raise their families in Howard County.

Howard County is overexposed to Federal job cuts with nearly 21,000 residents working for the feds while living in Howard County. We must attract new major employers to make us less reliant on the whims of national politics. 

Housing is expensive– and affordably priced options for young families and older adults are few and far between. 

Childcare is unaffordable and there aren’t enough daycare slots to support dual income households and single parents.

And we all know that Columbia has been rocked by several recent instances of gun-violence. Tragedies like these shatter our sense of security and highlight the needs of our underserved communities.

MY PROMISE TO YOU

I bring to this race nearly 20 years of experience as a professional communicator, policy expert, and grassroots organizer.

District 2 needs an experienced leader on the County Council to respond to these challenges. That is why I am focused on making Howard County’s middle class bigger, stronger, and more resilient to the rising cost of living, childcare, and housing.

I know how to solve big problems. I’ve worked in public policy at every level of government.

I was a Capitol Hill staffer during Obama’s first term where I worked on federal economic and education policy. 

In Baltimore I served as Marilyn Mosby’s first campaign manager– helping elect a 36 year old attorney as the youngest chief prosecutor of any major city in America.

As Communications Director for the Maryland Democratic Party my colleagues and I rallied support for passage of the Maryland Blueprint’s historic education reforms.

And in my current role I help shape public safety policy and communications strategy.

    Expand & Fortify the Middle Class

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    Paid for by Friends of Arinze Ifekauche, Treasurer Kevin Harrell