January 31 …

Maya Rockeymoore Cummings is a political scientist, policy entrepreneur, public-health advocate, author, and health-technology founder whose work bridges academic research, political organizing, and technology to address racial and economic inequities.

Born on January 31, 1971 into a military family, Rockeymoore Cummings holds a B.A. in political science and mass communications from Prairie View A&M University, as well as an M.A. and Ph.D. in political science with a specialization in public policy from Purdue University. Her dissertation explored the African American political response to HIV/AIDS, which established her early focus on health disparities and social insurance policy.

Rockeymoore Cummings’ initial professional experiences included roles in congressional staff work and leadership positions within nonprofits and policy organizations. Those experiences, combined with academic fellowships, shaped her career as a scholar-practitioner.

Rockeymoore Cummings has led significant national initiatives addressing childhood obesity and economic security. She served as a nonresident senior fellow at Brookings and held visiting fellow positions, including at Johns Hopkins.

From 1999 to 2000, Rockeymoore Cummings served as chief of staff in the Office of Congressman Charles Rangel, where she managed a staff of 14 and a budget of more than $1 million. She chaired the Maryland Democratic Party from 2018 to 2019 and ran for Congress and briefly for governor.

Rockeymoore Cummings is the founder of Global Policy Solutions, a Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm dedicated to making policy work for people and their environments. Most recently, she founded HyperVigilant, a health-technology company focused on developing AI tools to identify and manage cardiometabolic risk, translating her policy expertise into technological solutions aimed at reducing clinical disparities.

Her published works and public commentary tackle issues related to racial health inequities, social insurance, and democratic inclusion. She is the author of RAGEism, a work that examines the intersecting harms of racism and ageism.

Her extensive networks encompass mentors and peers from academia, policy, and Democratic politics. She has been honored as an Aspen Institute Henry Crown Fellow and a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation fellow. She has collaborated with prominent national organizations, including the National Academy of Social Insurance and National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. Through her firms, fellowships, and public engagement, Rockeymoore Cummings has actively influenced and mentored younger policy scholars and practitioners.

Rockeymoore Cummings’ late husband, Congressman Elijah Cummings, was a significant partner in her public service endeavors. She acknowledges the impact of family, civic leaders, and academic mentors on her professional commitments.

Rockeymoore Cummings’ accolades include the Aspen Institute Henry Crown Fellowship, Purdue University’s Distinguished Alumni Award, a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation fellowship, and numerous civic and academic recognitions. She has been invited to speak and publish extensively in prestigious outlets such as The Washington Post and The New York Times.

The civic leadership of Maya Rockeymoore Cummings — spanning policy research, party leadership, candidacy, and health technology entrepreneurship — significantly influences contemporary discussions on health equity, technology-driven care, and intersectional approaches to political and social justice.