PEOPLE. PURPOSE. PASSION.
Kaelan Alexander Boyd is a model representation of being young, Black and educated in America. Utilizing those traits to inspire others and shed light on the vital importance of public service is nothing short of his gift to the communities he serves.
A native of the sprawling city of Miami, Kaelan’s roots run deep in understanding the perspectives and richness of various cultural backgrounds. Spending a portion of his upbringing in the highly rural region of southwest Georgia, he also witnessed the economic constraints that defined the area and made it much harder for young people (and most adults) to grow and thrive.
Why are some communities less advantaged than others? How much of an impact does public engagement have in the decision-making process? Could greater investment in civics education be the key to solving political issues?
It would be these questions and more that would lead Kaelan on his journey into the realm of public service to find his true purpose.
After graduating at the top of his high school class, he furthered his education at Columbus State University where he studied Political Science with minors in History and Economics. He went on to pursue his Master of Public Administration degree from the same university and was granted acceptance into the PhD in Public Administration and Policy degree program at Old Dominion University’s School of Public Service. Through hard work and determination, Kaelan has masterfully balanced his time between his doctoral studies and his daily commitment to the people of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina as a Management and Budget Analyst in the County’s Office of Management and Budget. There, Kaelan assists in the development, publication, and maintenance of the county government’s multi-billion dollar budget and works with County leaders to develop sound fiscal strategies with a focus on building equitable communities and reducing racial disparities. Additionally, he serves as project manager of the County’s budget public engagement strategy which includes the annual Resident Budget Priority Survey and PB Meck, the County’s participatory budgeting program.
Kaelan is the co-founder of CivicsEDU, a non-profit dedicated to educating and empowering individuals and communities to participate in the civic process. He believes that through this outreach, he can help the next generation of young people find their passion and discover their calling.
Kaelan and his family currently reside in Charlotte.