Afiya Watkins
~ A Refined Renaissance ~
Clarity, intention, and the quiet power of becoming define Afiya Watkins’ next chapter at the intersection of community, culture, and civic life.
A senior-level community development professional, housing industry insider, and advocate for stronger, more resilient communities, Afiya Watkins has built a reputation as a thoughtful voice at the intersection of policy, culture, and civic life. In a region where influence is both visible and deeply felt, she brings a rare blend of policy awareness, cultural fluency, and refined perspective to her work.
As a COPA Style correspondent and civic leader, Watkins moves seamlessly between conversations about community development, culture, and the art of living well. In this conversation for The Renaissance Issue, she reflects on the influences that shaped her, the balance of strength and femininity that defines her leadership style, and the intentional season she is stepping into now.
As a COPA Style correspondent and civic leader, Watkins moves seamlessly between conversations about community development, culture, and the art of living well. In this conversation for The Renaissance Issue, she reflects on the influences that shaped her, the balance of strength and femininity that defines her leadership style, and the intentional season she is stepping into now.
Copa: The Renaissance Issue is about renewal and reinvention. What feels different about this season of your life?
Afiya: What feels different is the clarity. I’m not expanding just for the sake of expansion — I’m moving with intention. Through my work in community development and civic engagement, I’ve learned that movement without alignment is just noise. This season feels more refined. Less hustle, more purpose. I’m building thoughtfully and trusting that what’s meant for me will unfold in its time.
Afiya: What feels different is the clarity. I’m not expanding just for the sake of expansion — I’m moving with intention. Through my work in community development and civic engagement, I’ve learned that movement without alignment is just noise. This season feels more refined. Less hustle, more purpose. I’m building thoughtfully and trusting that what’s meant for me will unfold in its time.
Copa: You operate at the intersection of community development, housing, and advocacy. How do you describe the work you do?
Afiya: At the core, I’m a communicator and connector. My work centers on strengthening communities and helping people navigate the systems that shape where and how we live. I’m focused on impact — not just visibility. Everything I do connects back to stewardship and community well-being.
Afiya: At the core, I’m a communicator and connector. My work centers on strengthening communities and helping people navigate the systems that shape where and how we live. I’m focused on impact — not just visibility. Everything I do connects back to stewardship and community well-being.
Copa: What impact have you been able to make through your work so far?
Afiya: My work has allowed me to engage with communities in meaningful ways — helping to bridge gaps between residents, developers, and local systems. Whether through direct engagement or broader conversations around housing and development, I’m focused on creating clarity and strengthening outcomes. It’s work that requires both empathy and structure.
Afiya: My work has allowed me to engage with communities in meaningful ways — helping to bridge gaps between residents, developers, and local systems. Whether through direct engagement or broader conversations around housing and development, I’m focused on creating clarity and strengthening outcomes. It’s work that requires both empathy and structure.
Copa: You're a proud Daughter of the DMV. When people hear you’re from DC, what do you hope they understand about that identity?
Afiya: Being from DC is special. It’s more than geography — it’s perspective. I left during my formative years, yet there was always a pull that drew me back. Something about the city resonates with me on a deeper level.
You grow up understanding that influence is visible here. The Capitol, the Monument, and the White House aren’t just landmarks — they’re part of your childhood backdrop. That proximity quietly shapes how you see leadership, responsibility, and possibility.
And in the DMV, Black excellence isn’t abstract — it’s embodied. Educated, cultured, politically aware, and stylish. That standard is palpable.
Afiya: Being from DC is special. It’s more than geography — it’s perspective. I left during my formative years, yet there was always a pull that drew me back. Something about the city resonates with me on a deeper level.
You grow up understanding that influence is visible here. The Capitol, the Monument, and the White House aren’t just landmarks — they’re part of your childhood backdrop. That proximity quietly shapes how you see leadership, responsibility, and possibility.
And in the DMV, Black excellence isn’t abstract — it’s embodied. Educated, cultured, politically aware, and stylish. That standard is palpable.
Copa: You were exposed to leadership early. How did that shape you?
Afiya: At the time, it simply felt like life. In retrospect, I understand how formative it was. I grew up around conversations about policy, culture, and civic responsibility.
My mother once had a radio program and was interviewing people like Bill Clinton and Vernon Jordan before they were nationally recognized. I also grew up with civil rights leader Daisy Bates as a close family friend and her presence left a strong imprint on my life. It was all around me long before I understood the significance. That exposure broadened my perspective early and taught me that advocacy is a civic duty.
Afiya: At the time, it simply felt like life. In retrospect, I understand how formative it was. I grew up around conversations about policy, culture, and civic responsibility.
My mother once had a radio program and was interviewing people like Bill Clinton and Vernon Jordan before they were nationally recognized. I also grew up with civil rights leader Daisy Bates as a close family friend and her presence left a strong imprint on my life. It was all around me long before I understood the significance. That exposure broadened my perspective early and taught me that advocacy is a civic duty.
Copa: Your aesthetic feels very intentional. Where does that sensibility come from?
Afiya: I think I’ve always had it in me — and I got it honestly. Both of my parents have a strong sense of style and an appreciation for quality, so I was exposed to that early.
It showed up in how I dressed, but also in how I lived. Long before homeownership, even in my earliest apartments, friends would often say they looked like something out of a magazine or a model home. At the time, my budget was more Ikea than heirloom, but I instinctively knew how to create atmosphere and put a look together.
That taught me that aesthetics aren’t about price — they’re about vision. I’ve always had an eye for curation and an understanding that your environment should reflect who you are and who you’re becoming.
Afiya: I think I’ve always had it in me — and I got it honestly. Both of my parents have a strong sense of style and an appreciation for quality, so I was exposed to that early.
It showed up in how I dressed, but also in how I lived. Long before homeownership, even in my earliest apartments, friends would often say they looked like something out of a magazine or a model home. At the time, my budget was more Ikea than heirloom, but I instinctively knew how to create atmosphere and put a look together.
That taught me that aesthetics aren’t about price — they’re about vision. I’ve always had an eye for curation and an understanding that your environment should reflect who you are and who you’re becoming.
Copa: How would you describe your personal style?
Afiya: My personal style leans classic more than flashy — flowy yet structured. I love dresses, but I’m equally drawn to tailored pieces, blazers, and soft cashmere. I gravitate toward beautifully structured coats — timeless silhouettes that transcend seasons and trends. I view my wardrobe as an investment, something that should evolve with me and stand the test of time.
Afiya: My personal style leans classic more than flashy — flowy yet structured. I love dresses, but I’m equally drawn to tailored pieces, blazers, and soft cashmere. I gravitate toward beautifully structured coats — timeless silhouettes that transcend seasons and trends. I view my wardrobe as an investment, something that should evolve with me and stand the test of time.
Copa: Who influenced your sense of style?
Afiya: My first style muse was my mother. She didn’t just dress beautifully — she could sew. There’s something powerful about a woman who can curate her own aesthetic.
I’ve also long admired Diahann Carroll. She embodied femininity with strength — elegance without fragility. That balance resonates with me deeply.
Afiya: My first style muse was my mother. She didn’t just dress beautifully — she could sew. There’s something powerful about a woman who can curate her own aesthetic.
I’ve also long admired Diahann Carroll. She embodied femininity with strength — elegance without fragility. That balance resonates with me deeply.
Copa: What art and culture are inspiring you right now?
Afiya: I’m drawn to Ghanaian artists like El Anatsui — his shimmering work feels graceful, almost feminine in texture. Cézanne for structure. I also appreciate artists like Nicholle Kobi, whose work reflects softness, identity, and the beauty of Black femininity. I had the pleasure of moderating her Parisian Experience exhibition in Washington, DC several years ago—an experience that deepened my appreciation for how artists translate identity, culture, and perspective into visual language.
I’m inspired by that balance — discipline and expression. I also admire Mara Brock Akil for the way she portrays Black life with softness and strength in beautifully layered ways. And lately, I can’t get enough of jazz — controlled yet expressive. That duality mirrors what I’m drawn to. It’s riveting without needing words — profound in its subtlety.
Afiya: I’m drawn to Ghanaian artists like El Anatsui — his shimmering work feels graceful, almost feminine in texture. Cézanne for structure. I also appreciate artists like Nicholle Kobi, whose work reflects softness, identity, and the beauty of Black femininity. I had the pleasure of moderating her Parisian Experience exhibition in Washington, DC several years ago—an experience that deepened my appreciation for how artists translate identity, culture, and perspective into visual language.
I’m inspired by that balance — discipline and expression. I also admire Mara Brock Akil for the way she portrays Black life with softness and strength in beautifully layered ways. And lately, I can’t get enough of jazz — controlled yet expressive. That duality mirrors what I’m drawn to. It’s riveting without needing words — profound in its subtlety.
Copa: What’s something you’ve outgrown?
Afiya: I’ve outgrown environments that require you to shrink so others remain comfortable. I don’t need permission to show up fully. Growth has taught me that clarity and intention matter more than approval. You can be gracious and still advocate for yourself and others.
Afiya: I’ve outgrown environments that require you to shrink so others remain comfortable. I don’t need permission to show up fully. Growth has taught me that clarity and intention matter more than approval. You can be gracious and still advocate for yourself and others.
Copa: Have there been moments when you felt underestimated?
Afiya: Earlier in my career, there were moments when I was underestimated. Those experiences strengthened my voice and reinforced the importance of preparation, self-advocacy, and staying focused on outcomes. Independence has always been a strength — I’ve never relied heavily on external validation.
Afiya: Earlier in my career, there were moments when I was underestimated. Those experiences strengthened my voice and reinforced the importance of preparation, self-advocacy, and staying focused on outcomes. Independence has always been a strength — I’ve never relied heavily on external validation.
Copa: When you travel, what kind of experience are you drawn to?
Afiya: I’m drawn to immersive travel — exploring the natural beauty, history, and architecture of a place — but I also appreciate a swanky spa, fine dining, shopping, and afternoon tea in a beautifully appointed hotel. There’s beauty in balance. Variety is the spice of life.
Afiya: I’m drawn to immersive travel — exploring the natural beauty, history, and architecture of a place — but I also appreciate a swanky spa, fine dining, shopping, and afternoon tea in a beautifully appointed hotel. There’s beauty in balance. Variety is the spice of life.
Copa: What travel experience left a lasting impression on you?
Afiya: The South of France left a lasting imprint — Marseille, Saint-Tropez, Nice, and Monaco during the Monaco Grand Prix and Cannes Film Festival. It was decades ago, long before curated social media feeds.
My aunt, my cousin, and I were simply present. The beauty, the opulence, the joie de vivre. People moved freely, unbothered. That experience widened my lens and reinforced that the world is accessible — and that living well is nothing to apologize for.
Reflecting on a different moment, standing on Robben Island in South Africa — inside the cell where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned — left a very different imprint. There was a weight to that experience. A quiet wave of sadness and triumph washed over me, difficult to fully articulate.
Moments like that ground you. They serve as a reminder that freedom, leadership, and progress come at a cost — and that perspective has stayed with me.
Afiya: The South of France left a lasting imprint — Marseille, Saint-Tropez, Nice, and Monaco during the Monaco Grand Prix and Cannes Film Festival. It was decades ago, long before curated social media feeds.
My aunt, my cousin, and I were simply present. The beauty, the opulence, the joie de vivre. People moved freely, unbothered. That experience widened my lens and reinforced that the world is accessible — and that living well is nothing to apologize for.
Reflecting on a different moment, standing on Robben Island in South Africa — inside the cell where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned — left a very different imprint. There was a weight to that experience. A quiet wave of sadness and triumph washed over me, difficult to fully articulate.
Moments like that ground you. They serve as a reminder that freedom, leadership, and progress come at a cost — and that perspective has stayed with me.
Copa: What kind of presence do you aim to bring into a room?
Afiya: I want to elevate every space I enter.
“Presence is about contribution — not performance.”
To me, presence is about contribution — making an environment more peaceful, more thoughtful, and more beautiful. I believe in leaving things better than I found them. Not in a performative way, but in a way that’s felt. If I’ve been in a room, I want there to be a sense that something shifted — that the energy was lifted, that a level of excellence and intention was present.
Afiya: I want to elevate every space I enter.
“Presence is about contribution — not performance.”
To me, presence is about contribution — making an environment more peaceful, more thoughtful, and more beautiful. I believe in leaving things better than I found them. Not in a performative way, but in a way that’s felt. If I’ve been in a room, I want there to be a sense that something shifted — that the energy was lifted, that a level of excellence and intention was present.
Copa: What’s next for you?
Afiya: I’m attracting more beauty into my life — intentionally. What’s next is deeper advocacy, more writing, and speaking.
With book projects underway, I’m building thoughtfully. I trust God with the order. The vision is clear.
This season is about alignment — a kind of personal renaissance
Afiya: I’m attracting more beauty into my life — intentionally. What’s next is deeper advocacy, more writing, and speaking.
With book projects underway, I’m building thoughtfully. I trust God with the order. The vision is clear.
This season is about alignment — a kind of personal renaissance
