![\"Malika](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Web-Photo-29-1024x683.png\")
Malika Harrison<\/p>\nMalika Harrison<\/p>\n
Courtesy of Malika Harrison<\/p>\n
The Apopka City Commission is set to vote\u00a0Wednesday\u00a0on Mayor Bryan Nelson\u2019s appointment\u00a0of\u00a0Malika Harrison to the Planning Commission. Harrison was recently a candidate for\u00a0City Commission Seat 4<\/a>, which Yesenia Baron won in\u00a0the March 10 election<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI am deeply honored by the\u00a0Mayor\u2019s\u00a0confidence in my abilities to serve on the Planning Commission, and my sincere thank you to the City Commissioners for entrusting me to serve in this capacity,\u201d Harrison said in a\u00a0statement\u00a0to The Apopka Chief. \u201cApopka is at a pivotal moment in determining the trajectory of its future, and I am eager to contribute to these efforts\u00a0\u2014\u00a0through my commitment to resident engagement, community development experience and collaborative spirit.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n If approved, Harrison would\u00a0serve\u00a0with six other members\u00a0for\u00a0a three-year term.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The\u00a0staff report<\/a>\u00a0describes the planning commission as \u201ca citizen board to review and recommend to the City Commission approval or denial of development plans, amendments to the zoning map, amendments to the Land Development Code, proposed subdivision plats, proposed site plans, and future land use map amendments.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Harrison currently\u00a0serves<\/a>\u00a0as president of MASH Consulting. She has previously\u00a0served<\/a>\u00a0as MENTOR Florida\u2019s president and CEO, Truist\u2019s senior vice president for philanthropy and workplace giving and social impact, and as\u00a0director\u00a0of\u00a0social responsibility\u00a0for the\u00a0Orlando Magic Youth Foundation.\u00a0<\/p>\n Harrison\u2019s local civic roles\u00a0include\u00a0serving as a\u00a0reading\u00a0tutor\u00a0at Apopka Elementary School\u00a0and\u00a0graduating from\u00a0the\u00a0Apopka\u00a0Police Department\u2019s Citizens Police Academy. She is also a licensed foster parent and\u00a0chairs\u00a0the\u00a0Orange County Parks and Recreation advisory board<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Nelson said in a phone interview with the Chief that\u00a0he appointed\u00a0Harrison\u00a0for her\u00a0knowledge, diversity, and residency in northwest Apopka.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u00a0ran for\u00a0[City\u00a0Commission] and was really informed about the issues, so although she didn\u2019t win, I thought she brought a lot to the table as far as a candidate,\u201d Nelson said in a phone interview with the Chief.\u00a0<\/p>\n If approved, Harrison will replace Howard Washington. Washington\u00a0resigned from the Planning Commission\u00a0\u201cdue to health reasons,\u201d according to\u00a0a March\u00a013\u00a0email<\/a>\u00a0to Nelson.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI look forward to working with fellow members of the Planning Commission to ensure Apopka\u2019s vitality for generations to come,\u201d Harrison said.<\/p>\n Sarah Merly is an editorial assistant and reporter for The Apopka Chief. She joined the Chief in May 2025 after graduating from Patrick Henry College’s journalism program in Washington, D.C. In her spare time, Sarah loves watching rom-coms, visiting Disney, and throwing parties.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2-1.png\")
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