Councilor Nichole L. Rogers is a trailblazing public servant, community advocate, and the first Black woman elected to the Albuquerque City Council. A proud graduate of the Emerge New Mexico Class of 2023, she represents Albuquerque’s District 6 with a commitment to courageous leadership, equitable opportunity, and building bridges across communities to deliver meaningful results.
Since taking office, Councilor Rogers has earned a reputation as a collaborative and effective policymaker, maintaining a 90% legislative pass rate while receiving support from her conservative colleagues on 66% of the legislation she sponsors. She believes principled leadership and bipartisan collaboration are not mutually exclusive, they are essential to creating lasting change.
Before joining the City Council, Rogers served as the City of Albuquerque’s African American Community and Business Liaison, where she strengthened partnerships between government, businesses, and historically underserved communities. Her career has also included leadership in healthcare, workforce development, financial empowerment, and community engagement.
As Councilor, Rogers has become a leading voice on housing, economic mobility, public safety, and equitable development. She has championed efforts to expand housing opportunities for families at every income level, strengthen behavioral health investments, and ensure major redevelopment projects create lasting benefits for surrounding neighborhoods. She led the creation of Albuquerque’s African American Advisory Board, launched Participatory Budgeting to give residents a direct voice in how public dollars are invested, and has worked to advance community-centered redevelopment of the New Mexico State Fairgrounds through transparency, accountability, and equitable economic growth.
Over the last 6 years, Nichole has been one of the lead organizers of NM Juneteenth, helping grow it into one of the state’s largest celebrations of Black history, culture, entrepreneurship, and community. Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to creating spaces where every resident feels seen, valued, and empowered.
Nationally recognized for her leadership, Rogers was selected to the 2026 Champions Institute, joining leaders from across the country advancing innovative solutions to strengthen healthy, resilient, and equitable communities.
A proud New Mexican, mother, and lifelong advocate for public service, Councilor Rogers believes government works best when it listens, collaborates, and delivers results for the people it serves. She is deeply honored to represent Emerge, an organization that helped shape her journey into elected office and continues to inspire women to lead with courage, integrity, and purpose.