Biography
Andrea is the first Black state senator for Indiana Senate District 46, winning the race in November 2022. For nearly two decades she served families in our public schools as a teacher and as a principal.
She was in foster care, then adopted at a young age, growing up in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She graduated from Fort Wayne Snider, receiving the Senior Superlative “Most Likely to Become the First Woman President.” Leadership, championing the rights of others, and working for the common good are values that she publicly espouses.
Andrea moved to Indianapolis after graduating from IU Bloomington to pursue her first teaching job on Indy’s west side in Ben Davis High School. For 10 years, she served as principal of award-winning K-8 Indianapolis Public School #2. Andrea earned a Master’s Degree in Language Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education from Indiana University, and holds a K-12 School Administrator license, license to teach middle and high school English, and a license to teach English as a New Language.
Andrea is a member of Hoosier Women Forward, a leadership program that prepares and propels Democratic women into influential public and private sector roles. She participated in the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series, which is designed to help emerging community leaders connect with one another, become more informed about the issues facing Central Indiana, and more motivated to address those issues, all in service to the broader community. She has served as a board member for the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis and Indianapolis Art Center. Additionally, Andrea is a member of the Christ Church Cathedral Vestry.
In her current role as state senator, she advocates for the residents of Senate District 46, which encompasses the heart of Indianapolis and extends from the Old Northside to Garfield Park and from Central State to Irvington. Her district includes Mile Square, the central business district, and IUPUI. She serves as the ranking minority member on Homeland and Transportation Committee and Veterans Affairs and the Military. In addition, she serves on Commerce and Technology, Education and Career Development, Elections, Family and Children Services, Pensions and Labor, and Utilities. Andrea is also the chaplain and a member of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus.
She married her husband Ryan in 2007. He is the owner and art director of Second Street Creative. Andrea and Ryan enjoy biking on the Cultural Trail with their two school-age children.