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Margaret Shabazz
From Ballotpedia
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Margaret Shabazz is running for election to the Wichita City Council to represent District 6 in Kansas. She is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025. The primary for this office on August 5, 2025, was canceled.
Shabazz completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Margaret Shabazz was born in Wichita, Kansas. She graduated from Bishop Carroll Catholic High School. She earned an associate degree from the WSU Tech in 2024. Her career experience includes working in management.[1]
Elections
2025
See also: City elections in Wichita, Kansas (2025)
General election
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
General election for Wichita City Council District 6
Incumbent Maggie Ballard, Brett Anderson, and Margaret Shabazz are running in the general election for Wichita City Council District 6 on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | ||
| Maggie Ballard (Nonpartisan) | ||
| Brett Anderson (Nonpartisan) | ||
Margaret Shabazz (Nonpartisan)  | ||
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Maggie Ballard, Brett Anderson, and Margaret Shabazz advanced from the primary for Wichita City Council District 6.
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
Campaign themes
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Margaret Shabazz completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Shabazz's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I’m Margaret Shabazz, a third-generation activist, proud Wichitan, mother, and candidate for Wichita City Council District 6. I’m deeply rooted in this community and committed to building a future grounded in transparency, accountability, and equity. As a Process Assurance Trainer for a global wind energy company, I lead process improvements at 52 sites nationwide and bring a practical, solution-oriented mindset to everything I do. I’m running to restore safety, dignity, and opportunity to the neighborhoods I call home — with a strong focus on affordable housing, compassionate homelessness solutions, and revitalizing local business corridors like Broadway.
- Affordable Housing That Uplifts Communities I support affordable housing solutions that preserve the character of our neighborhoods while expanding access for working families. Development should work for the people who live here — not displace them. I will advocate for policies that balance growth with equity and keep families rooted in the community.
- Mental Health Care That Meets People Where They Are I believe mental health is public safety. I support investing in trauma-informed, culturally competent mental health care that’s accessible and proactive — so people in crisis get the help they need before things escalate. Healing starts with meeting people with dignity and understanding.
- Real Solutions to Homelessness We must move beyond short-term fixes and offer real pathways to stability. I will champion supportive housing and services — not just shelters — that address root causes of homelessness. Compassion and accountability can go hand in hand when we prioritize human dignity.
I’m passionate about public policies that protect people’s dignity and improve everyday life — especially in underserved neighborhoods. This includes affordable housing, mental health care access, and meaningful solutions to homelessness. I believe in budget transparency, community engagement, and revitalizing local business corridors like Broadway. As someone who’s worked hard, raised a family, and rebuilt after loss, I care deeply about policies that provide stability, equity, and opportunity — not just for some, but for everyone in Wichita.
City council is where everyday government meets real life. It’s one of the most direct ways people can impact their neighborhoods — from street repairs to zoning decisions to public safety. Unlike state or federal offices, city council members are deeply embedded in the community and can respond quickly to local needs. This role is crucial in shaping how state and federal policies are implemented at the local level.
I look up to my grandmother, Margaret, my mother, Kathyrn Johnson, and leaders like Shirley Chisholm. My grandmother was a strong community leader who taught me to serve others with integrity, and my mother showed me how to lead with heart, strength, and resilience. Their example shaped my belief in servant leadership — where dignity, accountability, and compassion guide every decision.
I also admire Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress, for her courage to speak truth to power and stand alone if necessary. Like her, I believe in being “unbought and unbossed,” and in using every opportunity to create real change for the people — especially those too often left behind.
I also admire Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress, for her courage to speak truth to power and stand alone if necessary. Like her, I believe in being “unbought and unbossed,” and in using every opportunity to create real change for the people — especially those too often left behind.
I would recommend The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein. It shows how policy decisions — especially around housing — have long-term impacts on racial and economic equity. My political philosophy is rooted in justice, community, and lifting people up through systems that are fair, inclusive, and transparent. I also believe local leaders should understand the history behind our neighborhoods so we can build a better future together.
An elected official must be honest, accountable, and deeply connected to the community they serve. It’s not just about making decisions — it’s about listening first, standing up for what’s right, and staying rooted in the people’s real needs. I believe in transparency, compassion, and courage — doing the hard work even when it’s not politically convenient, and always remembering who you represent.
I bring a unique mix of lived experience, professional discipline, and deep community roots. As a Process Assurance Trainer, I manage training across 52 sites nationwide — which means I know how to solve problems, communicate clearly, and lead with both accountability and empathy.
I’ve worked my way up through grit, faith, and perseverance — as a young widow, a mother, and a lifelong Wichitan who understands the struggles our neighborhoods face. I don’t just talk about change — I’ve lived the need for it. My ability to listen, stay grounded, and fight for what’s right will make me a strong, responsive, and principled city council member.
I’ve worked my way up through grit, faith, and perseverance — as a young widow, a mother, and a lifelong Wichitan who understands the struggles our neighborhoods face. I don’t just talk about change — I’ve lived the need for it. My ability to listen, stay grounded, and fight for what’s right will make me a strong, responsive, and principled city council member.
A city council member must be a watchdog for public resources and a bridge between residents and local government. The core responsibilities include setting policy that reflects community priorities, ensuring responsible budgeting, and advocating for public safety, housing, infrastructure, and economic development that benefits all — not just a few. Most importantly, this role requires showing up, being accessible, and making sure no voice is left out of the conversation.
want to leave a legacy of leadership that uplifted people and made government work for everyone — not just the well-connected. I want to be remembered as someone who listened, showed up, and delivered real solutions with compassion and courage. My hope is that future generations, including my daughters, see that you don’t have to come from privilege to make a difference — you just have to care deeply, work hard, and never stop fighting for what’s right.
One of the first historical events I remember being part of was in 1999, when I was in 8th grade. I was honored with a statewide award for nonviolence in Kansas — something I didn’t even know I had been nominated for. Kansas Attorney General Carla Stovall came to Holy Savior Catholic Academy to present the award to me personally, recognizing me as one of the top youth leaders in the state for choosing nonviolence. That moment stayed with me and helped shape the values I carry into my campaign today.
My first job was at Papa John’s Pizza on Tyler Road in the winter of 2001. I worked there for one season — taking orders, making pizzas, and learning the value of showing up, working hard, and being part of a team. That job taught me responsibility and how to stay focused even when things got hectic. It was the beginning of a work ethic that’s stayed with me ever since.
One of my favorite books is The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein. It opened my eyes even further to how housing policy has shaped racial and economic inequality in this country — not by accident, but by design. It helped me connect the dots between what I’ve seen in my own community and the systems that created those conditions. That book affirmed why I fight for affordable housing, neighborhood preservation, and policy that works for everyone — not just a privileged few.
I’d be Olivia Pope from Scandal. She’s smart, fearless, and always ten steps ahead — and she gets things handled. I admire how she fights for justice, protects people, and isn’t afraid to stand alone when it matters. Plus, let’s be honest — the power coats, the confidence, and the strategy? I’m here for all of it.
“Optimistic” by Sounds of Blackness. It’s one of those songs that reminds you to keep your head up, even when things feel heavy. The message — “You can win, as long as you keep your head to the sky” — hits home for me, especially during this campaign. It’s soulful, powerful, and exactly the kind of energy I try to carry into each day.
I’ve faced a lot of personal loss that has shaped who I am and why I fight for others. Losing my husband and raising my daughters as a single mother taught me resilience. But the passing of both my grandmothers deeply moved me — they lived humbly, yet gave selflessly to their children and grandchildren. Even with just their SSI checks, they always found a way to help someone in need.
Most recently, I lost my uncle — who struggled with mental health, addiction, and homelessness — in March. Then in April, I lost my father unexpectedly. He was a man of his word and taught me that when there’s no way, you make one. These experiences strengthened my commitment to compassionate policy and reminded me that behind every issue is someone’s family, someone’s story.
Most recently, I lost my uncle — who struggled with mental health, addiction, and homelessness — in March. Then in April, I lost my father unexpectedly. He was a man of his word and taught me that when there’s no way, you make one. These experiences strengthened my commitment to compassionate policy and reminded me that behind every issue is someone’s family, someone’s story.
Yes — many people don’t realize that city council members vote on multi-million dollar budgets and development deals. These decisions affect housing affordability, business incentives, and even how mental health or homelessness programs are funded. Council members also appoint members to boards and commissions that influence key policy areas like public health, transit, and policing.
Experience can help — but it’s not the only thing that matters. What matters most is being grounded in your community, being a good listener, and having the courage to ask questions and challenge the status quo. As someone who’s worked in logistics, training, and community advocacy, I know how to solve problems and get results — and that’s what local government needs.
The most helpful skills for a city council member include strong communication, active listening, problem-solving, and community engagement. Understanding budgeting and resource allocation is also key — because council members shape how millions of dollars are spent. It’s important to have the ability to analyze policy, ask tough questions, and collaborate across departments and communities. As someone who works in process improvement and training across 52 sites nationwide, I’ve learned how to build solutions from the ground up — and I believe that practical, people-centered approach is exactly what local government needs.
City council is one of the few elected bodies where decisions are made close to the people and impact their daily lives — whether it’s trash pickup, street lighting, housing, or neighborhood safety. Council members act as both legislators and liaisons: shaping policy, allocating funds, and addressing local concerns directly. What makes this office unique is its power to affect change quickly, visibly, and collaboratively — especially when representatives are truly in tune with the needs of their district. This is grassroots democracy in action, and it matters deeply.
Why don’t moms ever tell secrets on the laundry day?
Because they know the clothes will air everything out.
Because they know the clothes will air everything out.
Financial transparency is non-negotiable. Taxpayer dollars must be used responsibly and reflect the priorities of the people — not backroom deals or unchecked development. I support participatory budgeting and public reporting of city expenditures. Government works best when it’s open, honest, and held accountable by an informed public. As a city council member, I will push for clear oversight, accessible information, and community input at every step.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2025 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on June 14, 2025
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