Markyel Pittman is a native of Grenada, Mississippi, and graduate of Grenada High School, Holmes Community College, and Jackson State University. While at Jackson State University, Mr. Pittman majored in Political Science, obtaining his Bachelor's and Master’s Degrees. Mr. Pittman is currently laser focused on obtaining his Ed.D. in Leadership Studies.

During his undergraduate tenure, Mr. Pittman embodied the role of a campus leader and community servant. He served as Mr. Junior and MS NAACP Youth & College President, Fannie-Lou Hamer Pre-Law Society President, Pre-Alumni Council President, and Men of Excellence Vice President. Mr. Pittman is a proud member of Intervarsity, Collegiate 100, CEO Ambassador, Service Ambassador, Welcome Week Leaders, and Campus Ministry Lead. Additionally, Mr. Pittman is a proud Spring 24’ Initiate of the Rho Xi Lambda of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., JSU Presidential & Dean’s Scholar, Political Science Fannie-Lou Hamer Award Recipient, and Mississippi Votes Emerging Trailblazer Award Recipient, JSU Alpha Class Top 40 Under 40 cohort member and a member of Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society and a Youth Minister.

Mr Pittman has proudly served as an intern for the Honorable Bennie G. Thompson in Greenwood and Jackson, MS. He now serves as the Programs Manager at Institute for Advancing Minority Health. His unique leadership positions have provided him with the desire to uplift his community as an advocate, activist and trailblazer for civil rights and health disparities, such as advocating U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and his staff continue student debt relief and cancellation efforts, registering more than 1,000 Mississippians to vote, and educating youth on the importance of voting across the state.

Mr. Pittman believes that God has given him the voice, connections, and knowledge to stand on behalf of the oppressed. His guiding scripture is Romans 8:31. “What then shall we say in response to these things, if God be for us, who can be against us?”