Pious Ali
Program associate, Immigration is American Collaboration Network
Pious Ali is a dedicated public servant and a pragmatic, compassionate leader with expertise in community organizing, activism, and civic engagement.
He is deeply committed to creating spaces where underrepresented community members can share their voices and where young people are empowered to advocate for themselves. He believes in the importance of providing everyone—students, families, and community members—a platform for self-expression. Through his work, he aims to strengthen connections among these groups and enhance educational quality for all students.
During his time at Portland Empowered, Pious amplified student and parent voices in public school policy and practice, fostering meaningful dialogue across cultural, ethnic, socioeconomic, and faith-based communities.
Pious has served as a Family and Community Engagement Specialist at the Muskie School for Public Service, worked with Portland’s refugee services, and facilitated youth leadership at Seeds of Peace. He has also held roles with the Portland NAACP and the Opportunity Alliance.
In 2013, he became the first African-born Muslim American elected to public office in Maine. He founded Portland Empowered , co-founded youth organizations, including the King Fellows and I Am Your Neighbor ( a community based organization) . He currently serves as an at-large city councilor on the Portland City Council.