Malika Harrison is running for Seat #4 on the Apopka City Commission.
By Reggie Connell, Managing Editor
In Summary:
Malika Harrison, a nonprofit executive and communications professional, is seeking Apopka City Commission Seat #4, framing her candidacy as a continuation of her work in service and community leadership. Drawing on experience in nonprofit management, grant oversight, and corporate social responsibility, she emphasizes fiscal responsibility, transparency, and resident engagement. Harrison says Apopka’s rapid growth, stalled downtown development, and challenges to public trust require leadership grounded in accountability and a long-term vision.
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Malika Harrison does not describe herself as a politician. Instead, she frames her candidacy for Apopka City Commission Seat #4 as an extension of a career rooted in service, nonprofit leadership, and community engagement.
Related: Baron, Harrison qualify for Apopka City Commission Seat #4 special election.
“I’m not a politician by any means,” Harrison said. “But I am a community leader and a passionate servant — someone who believes in leading with intention and compassion.”
With an open seat on the commission and a March election approaching, Harrison is running for office for the first time, saying Apopka is at a moment that calls for thoughtful leadership and renewed public trust.
“I decided to run because this is really part of a higher calling to lead,” she said. “When I look at where Apopka is right now, I see an opportunity for change — and an opportunity to do things better, together.”
Background rooted in service
Harrison, a Caribbean American raised in Miami, said community service was central to her upbringing.
“We take care of each other. We take care of the community,” she said. “That was ingrained in me early.”
Harrison attended Florida A&M University, where she studied journalism, then moved to New York City to earn a master’s degree in public relations communications from New York University. What began as a short-term move turned into nearly a decade in New York, where she built a career in corporate social responsibility, philanthropy, employee engagement, disaster relief, and grantmaking.
“There wasn’t a major for community service when I was in college,” Harrison said. “But I always felt called to it.”
After her time in New York, she returned to Florida, spending time in Orlando, before settling in Apopka in 2019.
“When I moved to Apopka, it looked very different from what it does now,” she said. “But I loved the potential immediately.”
Why Apopka — and why now
Harrison said her decision to run was influenced by both the city’s growth and the opportunity created by an open seat.
“I had to really sit with myself and ask why,” she said. “Why am I serving the community already? And why wouldn’t I step forward when there’s a chance to do more?”
She said she sees downtown Apopka and Main Street as symbols of unrealized potential.
“I think about how we can make Main Street something that’s exciting, something people are proud of,” Harrison said.
Leadership style and fiscal focus
Professionally, Harrison is the founder of MASH Consulting, a communications and public relations firm focused on supporting small, minority- and women-owned businesses. She previously served as the inaugural president and CEO of MENTOR Florida, an organization focused on expanding youth mentoring programs.
“My leadership is rooted in compassion,” she said. “It’s rooted in service and problem-solving.”
She also emphasized fiscal responsibility, citing her experience managing nonprofit budgets and grants.
“The dollars are not mine,” Harrison said. “When you’re working with grants or public money, every comma matters.”
That attention to detail, she said, is essential in city government.
“We owe residents diligence, clarity, and accountability,” she said.
Quality of life and transparency
Harrison believes there are several issues crucial to making Apopka flourish.
“Affordability, infrastructure, economic development, leadership, and transparency,” she said. “We hear a lot of ‘this is what residents say,’ but too often that’s anecdotal. We need listening sessions, data, and real engagement — and then we need to show residents how their input mattered.”
Harrison pointed to the city’s agenda and meeting packet process as an area in need of improvement, noting that packets can run hundreds of pages and are sometimes delivered just days before meetings.
“The current timeframe is not adequate,” she said. “It doesn’t serve commissioners, and it doesn’t serve the public.”
She said providing information earlier—including executive summaries—would enable better-informed decisions.
“Information is gold,” Harrison said.
Growth, development, and planning
Harrison said Apopka’s rapid growth must be handled carefully.
“Sustainable growth is important,” she said. “But it has to consider infrastructure, conservation, schools, and roads — all at the same time.”
She cited development near Binion Road as an example of how quickly growth can change residents' daily lives.
“Residents feel that every day,” she said.
Downtown, she added, reflects missed opportunities.
“We look at Main Street, and we see stalled momentum,” Harrison said. “That’s not the vision.”
Revisiting the City Center
Harrison said the city failed to maintain accountability as it related to developing the Apopka City Center.
“Where were the milestones? Where were the checkpoints?” she said. We’re in 2026 now. If we want a better, brighter Apopka, we need a plan that reflects today — and then we have to work that plan.”
She said progress, even incremental, matters.
“A standstill sends the message that nobody cares,” she said.
A long-term vision centered on youth
Asked to identify a bold, long-term goal for Apopka, Harrison pointed to youth development.
“Where’s our Boys and Girls Club?” she said. “Where’s that unified, safe space for mentorship?”
She said she envisions a multi-use youth empowerment complex focused on education, wellness, creativity, and leadership.
“We need something bigger and more resourced,” Harrison said. “A place that tells young people they matter.”
Campaign outlook
Harrison acknowledged she entered the race later than some candidates but said she is committed to broad outreach.
“I don’t want to leave any stone unturned,” she said.
Her campaign includes door-to-door canvassing, fundraising, social media outreach, and planned meet-and-greet events.
As the election approaches, Harrison said she hopes voters see her candidacy as an opportunity to rethink how the city is governed.
“This is about leadership with intention,” she said. “It’s about compassion, accountability, and bringing people together to do the work.”
Key Points:
- Harrison is running for public office for the first time, citing service and leadership rather than politics as her motivation.
- She emphasizes fiscal responsibility, transparency, and earlier access to City Hall information as essential to good governance.
- Harrison says Apopka’s growth must be balanced with infrastructure, conservation, and quality-of-life concerns.
- She calls for renewed accountability and realistic benchmarks on stalled projects like the City Center.
- Her long-term vision includes expanded youth development resources and a centralized youth empowerment space.
