Former Florida Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell wants to advocate for improved safety and greater possibilities for students in Florida as she works toward a more prestigious position as a US senator.
She is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge first-term Republican Senator Rick Scott, a former governor of Florida, in 2024.
When Mucarsel-Powell moved to the United States at 14, she started working full-time to help her mother, who she continues to support by allowing her to live with her. She worked to be elected to Congress and noticed policies implemented that kept underrepresented communities in lower positions.
Mucarsel-Powell, an advocate of the American dream, acknowledges the structural disadvantages marginalized communities face and views education as the ultimate equalizer for students.
“The premise of America has always been that it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from. Now we have targets on the backs of Black communities, of Latino communities, immigrant communities, LGBTQ communities, making it harder for all of us to get a good paying job,” she said.
Mucarsel-Powell is committed to supporting President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ administration in their efforts to secure funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Since 1987, Florida has denied HBCUs $2 billion in funding, according to the federal government.
Since attending FAU in 2018, she has advocated for more funding for scholarships and research.
“It is critical to provide those opportunities for students that may not be able to afford college,” Mucarsel-Powell said.
Students claim they are forced to do more with less, despite FAMU securing the top spot as the No.1 public HBCU for the fifth consecutive year, ranking No. 91 among the nation’s public universities, and being identified as an 1890 land-grant institution.
Kiara Ivy, FAMU’s Entomology Club president and a second-year master’s student studying entomology, acknowledges the institutional difficulties.
“We do the best work with what we have because we have limited lab space compared to other schools,” she said. “Our buildings are not renovated, so that’s a big thing I think we should push for. We’re an 1890 land grant school and need 1890 land grant facilities to do amazing research.”
While Mucarsel-Powell works to close educational gaps and promotes the American ideal, it’s essential to understand that children’s safety and well-being go beyond the classroom. The threat of gun violence looms in the larger context of Florida’s communities, endangering the very chances and dreams Mucarsel-Powell works to safeguard.
Following the personal tragedy of losing her father to gun violence, Mucarsel-Powell now has her mother, three kids, two dogs, and a bunny. Murcasel-Powell said she wants to ensure her children “live in a world that has leaders that are going to protect their future, their opportunities, and their environment.”
According to a recent report from the Tallahassee Police Department, which details the 103rd shooting of the year that occurred on Nov. 28, gun violence is still a severe problem in cities like Tallahassee. Inspired by personal experience, Mucarsel-Powell fervently promotes the prevention of gun violence, referencing her collaboration with Giffords as evidence.
Mucarsel-Powell addressed the students directly, hoping to communicate the unique power of using their voices. She wished to reassure people who feel their voices are ignored or think they need more supporters that they are essential and have a unique voice.
“Civic engagement is the only way voices are heard to ensure your. It’s the way we’re going to make things right,” she said. “We cannot allow extremism, chaos, division, and hatred to take over the politics of this nation and our state.”