As the American civil rights leader George A. Wiley was involved in human rights issues as early as the 1960s. Least of all did he expect his baby daughter, Maya Wiley, to follow in his footsteps. One reason could be that she would grow up in a racially intolerant America. And second, because she is a woman. Perhaps he never knew the fruits of his struggle and those of many other civil rights frontliners like Martin Luther King Jr.; would bloom so quickly.
If you are wondering why and how? Then this post would tell you how high and influential this black woman has become in an America that has not historically been so black-friendly. The rise of Maya Wiley is a true testament to the American dream. She is a respected scholar, legal analyst and civil rights activist who has held influential positions unlikely for a black woman, let alone a woman. She is the founder and current President of the Center for Social Inclusion. A national public policy strategy organization dedicated to bringing together public policy research and grassroots advocacy, to transform structural racial inequality into structural fairness and inclusion. let’s see more
Maya Wiley – Bio
Maya Wiley was born in Washington, DC, USA, on January 2, 1963 to the family of George and Wretha Wiley. As previously mentioned, her father was an American civil rights activist and worked as a chemist. He also completed a six-month Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) as a first lieutenant in the US Army at Fort Lee, Virginia. Although details of her early life and education are not as well known, what we do know is that she and her brother, whose identities are still unknown, grew up in a Washington DC private school when she was in the 4th grade.
After graduating from high school, Wiley attended Dartmouth University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Maya Wiley also attended Southern Methodist University (SMU) on a riding scholarship. There she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Convergence Journalism in 2013. She then attended Mississippi State University (MSU), where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology in 2016. She later enrolled at Columbia University and earned her Juris Doctor degree.
career
Maya Wiley’s career includes several high-profile academic and consulting roles. Some of them work as racial justice advocates and digital justice strategists. She worked for the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) Fund for Legal Defense and Education, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Open Society Institute before eventually becoming Chief Legal Advisor to the 109th Mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio, was appointed. As a member of de Blasio’s cabinet, she worked to expand affordable broadband access in New York City, advance civil and human rights and gender equality, and make support for minority and women’s businesses in New York more effective.
Aside from being a Legal Analyst for NBC News, Maya, Wiley is also a frequent contributor to premier news outlets such as Time Magazine, The Guardian and Essence.com. On Monday, August 27, 2018, she was announced as a Legal Analyst at MSNBC. A role she still holds today.
In 2002, she founded the Center for Social Inclusion (CSI), a national policy organization dedicated to dismantling structural racism. CSI began in the comfort of Maya Wiley’s home with $75,000 in seed funding from the Open Society Institute as a Tides Center project. Wiley and her work partner, Jocelyn Sargent, a political scientist, launched CSI in the wake of the 9/11 attacks to build political strategy capacity to support inclusive political solutions in a devastated city. New York.
Maya Wiley’s Salary and Net Worth
Much of Maya Wiley’s activism can be tagged “Non-Profit” at best, but due to the goodwill resulting from these activities, she has tackled several appointments with delicious benefits, along with her recent appointment as Legal Counsel for MSNBC. According to sources, a legal analyst from MSNBC reportedly makes a median annual income of $83,377. According to a 2019 estimate, her net worth is around $1 million.
Married: who is her husband and who are her children
Maya Wiley is currently married to her longtime friend, Harlan Mandel. Mandel serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF). Still, details about her life before marriage such as engagement, wedding date and location are scarce.
Their union is blessed with two daughters, whom they named Kai Wiley-Mandel and Naja Wiley-Mandel. Her social media handles have been her main platform for fans to connect with her and get a glimpse into her personal life. The family currently resides in Brooklyn, New York City. And they own two cats; Maxie and Romeo.
height and body measurements
For a woman her age, Maya Wiley is blessed with what many will call a “young body.” Barring an experienced age detector, Wiley will pass for a woman in her early forties while already eyeing her Diamond Jubilee. She is of slim build; stands 6 feet (1.82 meters) tall; and mostly wears long pigtails gracefully laced with strands of gray to show off her longevity. Aside from dark brown eyeballs, not much is known about her weight and chest-to-hip measurements. Her shoe, dress, and bra sizes are also unknown at the time of this writing.
Family Facts
1. A family of fighters
Just like the John McCain family it can be identified with a long history of military service; The Wileys also have a history of civil rights activism. Prominent among her family members was her father. He was a legendary black civil rights leader in Martin Luther King Jr.’s class. Maya also began her engagement and won several college debate competitions related to racial justice.
2. Maya only has two children
We’re not sure if this was influenced by her growing up family. But Maya Wiley’s decision to have two daughters (Kai and Naja) reflects her early childhood when she was one of two children. In a 1960’s America where black families were known for their large number of children, the Wileys kept it to just two.
3. The family has two cats
Yes! Maxie and Romeo aren’t just pets, they’re family now. The two cats also have a permanent place in the Wiley family. Also, they have very unusual names. If no one has told you before, you will never believe they are actually kittens.