Amanda Edwards is a proud Houston native, attorney, former At-Large City Council Member, and founder of a community non-profit that empowers people from seniors to women entrepreneurs. She is now running to represent the historic 18th Congressional District in the U.S. Congress.
Amanda’s dedication to public service is deeply personal. As a child, she witnessed her father’s battle with cancer, and years later, her mother’s fight as well. These experiences showed her how life-and-death outcomes can depend on policy decisions and inspired her commitment to create solutions that truly serve families and communities.
A graduate of Eisenhower High School in Aldine ISD, Amanda earned her B.A. in Political Science from Emory University, where she worked with community organizations to drive neighborhood revitalization. She then served in Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee’s office before earning her law degree from Harvard Law School, where she was a student attorney with the Criminal Justice Institute.
Moved by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Amanda relocated to New Orleans, clerked for Federal District Court Judge Ivan Lemelle, and founded Project NOW: The New Orleans Writing Project, empowering youth through writing and civic engagement.
On the Houston City Council, Amanda focused on transportation, technology, and infrastructure. She chaired the High-Capacity Transit Task Force for the Houston-Galveston region and led efforts to expand transit options. During Hurricane Harvey, she organized hundreds of volunteers and delivered ongoing relief for vulnerable residents, especially low-income seniors.
Her career as a municipal finance lawyer at Vinson & Elkins LLP and Bracewell LLP strengthened her expertise in complex public projects, partnerships, and community development. As Vice Chair of the Budget & Fiscal Affairs Committee, she helped tackle budget challenges and pension reform, authored measures for accountability, and helped manage Houston’s $5 billion budget.
Amanda also championed economic opportunity, launching Houston’s Tech & Innovation Task Force, which laid the groundwork for the city’s Innovation District and The Ion. She continues to expand access to capital and resources for women and minority small business owners through BEAMW (Business Ecosystem Alliance for Minorities & Women).
Amanda lives in Houston’s core and attends St. Monica Catholic Church in Acres Homes. She serves on the Advisory Council for Accelerator for America and has held board positions with the National League of Cities, Houston Exponential, and Project Row Houses. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and The Links, Inc. Of all her accomplishments, she is most proud of empowering communities and helping families thrive.