Aaliyah grew up in Centreville, Virginia, with her four sisters and two brothers.

Aaliyah says that she was angered by the killings of Trevon Martin, Michael Brown, and George Floyd and motivated to ask how she could effect change and foster social justice. With the help of an adult mentor, she discovered a worldwide online-forum focused on discussing policing and racial injustice. Aaliyah spent weeks reading and thinking about the history of racism and white supremacy. She talked with teachers, family, and friends about their views on social unrest, justice, and police brutality. She was motivated by her reading to march in a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest in Northern Virginia honoring George Floyd, an event which she says she will never forget for the passion and unity of the crowd.

After the march, she wanted to do more. She decided to write an article for her school newspaper. Several years earlier, her older brother had been killed in a violent crime. According to Aaliyah, the memory of her brother inspired her to finish the article knowing that her brother would support her advocacy and be proud of her for making her thoughts known to her school community.

On November 17, 2022,  her article, “White Supremacy” was published in the Mountain View Mirror. She writes, “Peace is freedom from violence and hatred. Peace is justice and equity.” Aaliyah says that she loves writing, plans to continue speaking out, and believes in the power of the pen.

Aaliyah is honored to be a recipient of the Peace Award but knows there is more work to be done. She says, “Nothing changes overnight but I believe together we can create equity for all by standing up and speaking out.”