Today we’d like to introduce you to Markia Bordeaux.
Hi Markia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m the youngest child born to Darryl and Angela Bordeaux, with 3 older sisters: Inez, Deanna and Andrea. I was born in Wurzburg, Germany where her mother was stationed while on active duty in the United States Army. When I was 3 years old, my mother was stationed in Ft. Hood, Texas (now named Ft. Cavazos) where my parents finally put down roots in Copperas Cove, Texas, a small yet diverse town on the outskirts of Ft. Hood.
I began my college journey at renowned HBCU Prairie View A&M University. It was at Prairie View where I developed strong leadership skills and a deep passion for community, joining organizations and excelling as Senate Pro Tempore for Student Government Association, Vice President of Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority, and President of the Council of Student Organizations. I graduated with a Bachelors of Science of Psychology in May 2012.
I took my passion for children/families and joined the Texas Department of Family and Protect as a social worker, where I was responsible for ensuring the most vulnerable children in our community were safe, while also being a resource for parents and caregivers experiencing poverty, addiction, mental health ailments or instability. It was my experience as a social worker and passion for impacting the lives of the vulnerable that led me to enrolling in law school at South Texas College of Law Houston. While at STCL, I continued her trajectory of immersing myself in community by offering pro bono services for the Domestic Violence Clinic and the Expungement Clinic. I continued to hone my leadership skills in organizations including Student Bar Association, Black Law Students Association, and the ACLU of Texas Chapter. I was honored by South Texas College of Law with the Lyndon B. Johnson Civil Rights Award in 2020.
I’m currently a practicing litigation attorney, specializing in child welfare law, where I continue to advocate for the most vulnerable and valuable in our community.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
For the majority of my life, my mom was the primary parent and was raising 4 children on a single income. When you come from this background of just making ends meet, money is not abundant and you have to be super independent and work hard. I put myself through Undergrad and Law School, while living in a city where I didn’t have family and certainly didn’t have financial support.
My lived experiences are why I’ve decided to run for Harris County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 7, Place 2. I understand what it means to work hard and sometimes that not be enough to pay rent, or to pay that traffic ticket, or to have debt. Real people with real struggles are walking through the courtroom doors every day, and they deserve a Judge that cares, and a Court that is a beacon for hope.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m currently a litigation attorney and proud public servant. I’ve spent my legal career in the courtroom– advocating for children and families, handling hundreds of hearings and trials, and working to ensure that everyday people have access to fair and effective justice. Beyond the courtroom, I’ve served as a community leaders- organizing legal clinics, leading civic engagement initiatives, and mentoring the next generation of change-makers. What I’m most proud of is the way that I’ve used every role I’ve been in– whether Attorney, President, Precinct Chair, Organizer, or Community member– to center justice, equity, and compassion.
What sets me apart is my ability to reimagine possibilities, not just for myself, but for the systems and communities I serve. As a candidate for Justice of the Peace, I see the court not simply as a place where cases are decided, but as a space where justice is restorative and resources are readily available for those in need. I believe as Judge I will do more than process cases… I can build a bench that connects residents of Precinct 7 to supportive services, second chances and ensure everyone understands their rights. I’m running to bring that vision to life — to reimagine what’s possible in local justice.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I believe preparation, faith and perseverance have played a much greater role in my life than luck ever could. As a candidate for Justice of the Peace, I’m running not because of chance, but because of choice– the choice to serve, to advocate, and to lead with integrity. That said, I recognize the blessing that have come from being raised by a dedicated mother and devoted sisters, along with being supported by a community of mentors, colleagues, and neighbors who saw something in me even before I saw it in myself. If there’s any “luck” in my story, it is the kind that come from being blessed with relationships and the ability to be grounded in my purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.markiabordeaux.com
- Instagram: @markiabordeaux
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarkiaforJP
- Twitter: https://x.com/markiabordeaux
- Other: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/markia-bordeaux
