2025 OCAAHS Eclipse Awardee Ayana Braxton-Thurston, Devoted Public Servant

Ayana Braxton-Thurston, VCA, is a lifelong resident of Orange County with deep roots in community service. Her engagement began in middle school as Youth President of the Orange County NAACP Branch and continued through high school as an intern at the Orange County Free Clinic with the Blue Ridge Virtual Governor’s School. After college, she returned home to continue her dedication to public

service and equitable governance.

In November 2024, Ayana was appointed Procurement Specialist and Grants Writer for the Town of Dumfries, overseeing compliance and securing strategic funding opportunities. She spent six years with the Albemarle County Attorney’s Office as Legal Services Coordinator and Paralegal, where she led fiscal initiatives saving the County $20,000 and launched the BIPOC Affinity Group, growing it to 50 members.

She also established a partnership with the UVA School of Law Roadmap Scholars Program to mentor first-generation students. A proud first-generation college graduate, Ayana earned her B.S. in Criminal Justice (Forensics concentration) and Global Education certification from VCU, where she pledged Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and held several leadership positions, including NRHH President and Cultural Ambassador with VCU Globe.

Now pursuing a Master of Public Administration with a Local Government Management certificate at Virginia Tech, she maintains a 4.0 GPA and participates in UVA’s Leading, Educating, and Developing Program. Ayana serves as Legal Redress Chair of the Orange Branch NAACP, Co-Chair of the VLGMA Winter Conference, and a member of ICMA and the Black Professional Network of Charlottesville. As Chairperson of Trustees at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, she has led capital projects, increased donations by 30%. Her lifelong goal is to advance equity and serve in leadership within Orange County’s local government.