Roots in Service and Education
Lakesha Womack’s journey began not in the political hubs of Washington or Raleigh, but in the small rural town of Evergreen, Alabama. It was there, she says, that she learned the importance of community and service. Her early interest in public policy was sparked during a high school program with the Alabama Youth Legislature, an experience that offered a firsthand look at how government decisions impact people's daily lives. This interest propelled her to the Alabama School of Math and Science, a public residential high school, and then to Vanderbilt University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science. Womack has continued to deepen her policy knowledge, and is currently pursuing a Master of Legal Studies from Vanderbilt Law
School, adding legal expertise to her extensive practical experience.
An Entrepreneurial Path
Before entering the political arena as a candidate, Womack spent over two decades building a career centered on empowerment and strategic growth. In 2005, she founded the Womack Consulting Group, a firm dedicated to helping a wide array of clients—from small businesses and nonprofits to faith-based organizations and universities—with strategic planning, leadership development, and brand management. According to her professional biographies, she has served as an executive coach for Black Enterprise conferences and contributed business and leadership articles to Forbes and Newsweek expert forums. This work established her as a go-to strategist for organizations seeking to navigate complex challenges and turn ideas into tangible results.
A Leader in Faith and Finance
Womack's professional record is uniquely multifaceted, blending expertise in both finance and faith. She is an ordained minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and has founded initiatives like #RethinkingChurch Strategies to support faith leaders. This work often intersects with her focus on economic justice. She serves as the Chief Strategy Officer for ASPIRE Community Capital, a community development financial institution (CDFI) that works to provide capital to entrepreneurs who are often overlooked by traditional lenders. Her role involves designing programs and partnerships that create financial pathways for small business owners. This combination of ministry and economic advocacy forms a core part of her public identity, reflected in projects like her podcast that explores the intersection of faith and public life.
The Pivot to National Politics
In 2026, Womack transitioned from advising political campaigns to running her own. She entered the race for the U.S. House of Representatives in North Carolina's 14th Congressional District, winning the Democratic primary on March 3, 2026. Her campaign platform appears to be a direct extension of her life's work, focusing on economic mobility, educational opportunity, and affordable healthcare. She advocates for policies like making the first $100,000 of income free from federal taxes to directly help working families. Running against Republican incumbent Timothy K. Moore, Womack frames her candidacy as an opportunity to bring the real-world experience of a community-focused leader and small business advocate to the halls of Congress.
