(TURNER STATION – October 8, 2026) – For Arkia Wade, representing Baltimore County’s new District 9 is about more than winning an election. It is about making sure residents have someone on the County Council who listens, shows up, and understands the community from the inside out.
Wade says her priorities include creating more opportunities for residents, supporting older adults and young people, strengthening local neighborhoods, and ensuring working families have access to pathways to good-paying jobs.
“I want to be a councilwoman who listens to the people she represents,” Wade said. “That means holding quarterly town halls, meeting people where they are, and making sure residents have a direct connection to their representative. Government should not feel distant from the people it serves.”
Supporting older adults and youth will be central to Wade’s approach. She also wants Baltimore County to do more to connect residents with employment opportunities and support working families raising children and trying to build a better future.
Wade also believes manufacturing should play a larger role in Baltimore County’s economic future, particularly in communities like Dundalk that have a long history tied to industry.
“Manufacturing helped build Dundalk, and I want us to look at how we can make manufacturing a priority again,” Wade said. “Our residents deserve access to good employment opportunities, and we should be creating pathways for people to work, grow and build their lives right here in Baltimore County.”
For Wade, representing District 9 is also deeply personal.
Her father grew up in Dundalk, and Wade spent her entire life visiting the community and maintaining connections to the area before making it her home 13 years ago. Her family’s roots in Turner Station and Dundalk stretch back generations, including her grandfather, Dr. William C. Wade Sr., who served the community as a physician for more than four decades.
“Being able to come full circle and have the opportunity to serve the community where my dad grew up is an incredible honor,” Wade said. “I spent my entire life coming here, and 13 years ago I made this community my home. Now I have the opportunity to give back to the place that has given so much to my family and to me.”
Wade has spent years building relationships and serving residents through community organizations and volunteer work. Her experience includes founding Neighborhood Companions Inc., an organization focused on helping older adults age in place, as well as leadership and service with the Girl Scouts, Turner Station Conservation Teams, Baltimore County Arts Guild, NeighborSpace and other community organizations.
The November election also represents a historic moment for Baltimore County. Wade is one of three Black women running for County Council in the general election, alongside candidates Makeda Scott and Sharonda Dillard-Huffman. A Black woman has never served on the Baltimore County Council.
“To be one of three Black women with the opportunity to make history in Baltimore County is incredibly meaningful,” Wade said. “I think about the young girls who are watching us and realizing that they, too, can see themselves in these spaces. That is powerful.”
For Wade, the moment’s significance extends beyond the possibility of being the first.
“I’m honored to be part of a historic race, but I also understand that history is not the reason people elect you,” she said. “People want someone who will listen to them, advocate for them, and work to make their communities better. That is the responsibility I am focused on.”
As November approaches, Wade says her vision for District 9 is rooted in community, opportunity and accountability.
“This is a community that has given my family so much,” Wade said. “To have the opportunity to serve it, to listen to its residents and to help shape its future is something I do not take lightly. It truly is a full-circle moment for me.”
