Rooted in Service
A lifelong Democrat with strong roots in
serving our communities.
Rooted in Service
Izola's family history is a story of progress and perseverance. Her father made history by desegregating his high school at 16. He had to be escorted by the National Guard just to attend class for protection. He went on to serve in the Navy and worked as a federal employee for 40 years—inspiring Izola's career in public service. Her mother worked at Planned Parenthood before Roe v. Wade, connecting women with safe resources and trustworthy information. Her Mother went on to become one of the first Black women Deans at M.I.T. Izola's grandfather, a Pullman Porter, organized the country's first Black union, opening doors to the middle class for thousands of families.
Izola grew up in Cambridge, MA. At the end of her junior year in high school, bad housing policy enacted by their elected leaders led to extreme rent hikes, and Izola's family was forced to move out of their home and jurisdiction, which also threatened her education. Izola's lived experience of being priced out of her community and truly understanding the consequences of housing instability shaped her belief that everyone deserves safe, attainable, stable housing, and it is essential for our community to thrive.
Izola is a proud alumna of Howard University (Go Bisons!), where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a dual degree in Political Science and History. Upon graduation, Izola went on to receive her master's degree in Economics and Community Development from Johns Hopkins University. Her experiences at these two prestigious universities led her to serve throughout western and southern Africa, where she spearheaded community economic development projects in some of the world's most impoverished places. She additionally lived in France and Italy.
Izola moved to Rockville more than a decade ago. After initially meeting her husband-to-be at Howard University, she ran into him again years later at a Rockville grocery store, and the couple got married shortly after.
In 2023, Izola was elected by her neighbors to serve on the Rockville City Council, where she has been a champion for working families seeking a local government that will fight to protect them.
Community Leadership & Public Service
Current Rockville City Councilmember (2023-Present)
Elected in 2023, finishing 3rd in a competitive 12-person race for 6 seats. On the Council, Izola has fought for affordable housing, workers' rights, and responsive government that puts people first.
Former Chair, Montgomery County Racial Equity and Social Justice Advisory Committee
Izola led the drafting and passage of Montgomery County's Racial Equity and Social Justice Act, a landmark policy ensuring equity is at the center of county decision-making.
Commissioner, Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Commission
Worked to expand access to affordable housing for working families and ensure the county's housing policies serve those who need them most.
Minimum Wage Advocate
Successfully fought to raise Montgomery County's minimum wage, ensuring working people earn a living wage that reflects the true cost of living in our community.
Affordable Housing Champion
Led the campaign for a temporary rent freeze during the pandemic to prevent evictions and keep families in their homes. Fought for rent stabilization in Rockville and supports county-level rent control.
Education & Early Career
Izola graduated magna cum laude from Howard University with a B.A. in Political Science and History. She went on to earn her Master's degree in Economic and Community Development from Johns Hopkins University.
Her academic foundation in political science and community development prepared her for a career dedicated to public service and economic justice—both at home and abroad.
International Development Work
Before entering local politics, Izola spent years working on community economic development projects in western and southern Africa. This international experience gave her a global perspective on poverty, inequality, and the power of grassroots organizing to create change.
She saw firsthand how communities can lift themselves up when given the resources and opportunity—lessons she brings to her work in Montgomery County today.
Union Organizing & Workers' Rights
Izola's union organizing experience at NIH wasn't just about protecting jobs—it was about standing up for the dignity and power of working people. She knows what it's like to organize your workplace, to face powerful interests, and to win.
Recently laid off herself as part of the Elon Musk-led federal workforce cuts, Izola understands the fear and uncertainty that working families face. She's fighting for them because she is one of them.
20 Years of Federal Service
For two decades, Izola worked as a communications strategist and consultant at FEMA and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She helped federal agencies communicate effectively during crises and advance public health research.
When the Trump administration targeted federal workers for layoffs, Izola didn't back down. She organized her coworkers at NIH to form a union, fighting to protect their jobs and their rights. That's who Izola is—when she sees injustice, she fights back.