NY E. WHITAKER
Ny, age 49, New York
Connect with her on LinkedIn // Website
How did you find your spark?
I remember my mother, who was a member of 1199 union, taking me to rallies when I was a kid and I watched in awe as she stood in solidarity with her fellow healthcare workers to advocate for fair wages and worker protections at the city, state, and federal levels. And then, as an adult, I heard a former community organizer named Barack Obama speak in 2004, and my whole world changed. I was inspired to lead the Harlem team for his campaigns in 2008 and 2012 and joined Harlem Mamas for Obama. I was selected to introduce President Obama on stage at The Apollo Theater in Harlem where I was raised.
Looking back, in 4th grade, I ran for class president and my classmates teased me by calling me "Whitaker Whitehouse.” Who would have known that advocacy, policy, and politics would be in my future? My lived experiences have allowed me to witness firsthand both the power of the pen, and the power of the people, to move our country forward.
What fires have you started in your life or in the lives of others?
As a single mother of a young Black male college student, I am acutely focused on contributing to the improvement of, and investment in, the communities where I live, serve, and work. I have been blessed with a career that has taken me from the public housing projects of East Harlem, to the lecterns of New York University, and from the halls of the Executive Chambers in Albany to the wings of the White House. I recently completed a two-year White House Presidential Appointment and returned to my home in New York to leverage my personal and professional networks to identify ways to improve access to quality education, housing, healthcare, as well as increase the capital needed for entrepreneurs of color. I care deeply about the outcomes for single mothers and families living in underserved communities because I know their plight and their dreams.
I am a champion for education reform and galvanized 3000 parents to protect against school funding cuts in New York, and then traveled to teach other parents how to do the same work. I worked on the Obama, Clinton, Biden, James, Haaland, Brouk, and Roem campaigns to mobilize new voters and served as NYS Co-Chair of VoteMama and the Women’s Vote Director for the NYS Dems to encourage mothers of young children and women to run for office. In 2019, I founded New York for Biden+Harris, a grassroots coalition that is now 70,000 members strong and has never stopped working on races large and small in NYS and swing states. Our grassroots group delivered the second highest, national, virtual GOTV campaign during the pandemic when traditional voter turnout methods were halted.
I also helped the Let NY Vote coalition pass the plain language bill through my work with the New York Democratic Lawyers Council to make sure future ballot initiatives are written and translated for ease of voter understanding and am part of a coalition that helped launch the NYS Equal Rights Amendment which will be a ballot initiative in NYS in November 2024 to protect against a broad range of discriminations including age, ethnicity, faith, gender identity, immigration status, and pregnancy status and outcomes.
My son has lost too many friends to count to gun violence, so we volunteer with Kings Against Violence and Guns Down, Life Up. I won't stop until we reclaim our sanity, our humanity, and our democracy because our children's futures can't wait. Normally, I stand back and don't seek the limelight, but I am in awe of Shannon and believe that grassroots volunteers, giving circle groups, and individual donors like me are shifting the political landscape and it's time for coalition-building to be at the forefront of the conversation if we want to end the divisions and move towards progress. To do so, ordinary people like me will have to lead by stepping into the limelight to share our best practices and knowledge and inspire the masses to effect change by exhibiting moral courage.
What obstacles have you had to overcome?
As a single mother and woman of color, I was often ridiculed for being outspoken as people commented that I should be home with my child instead of at meetings, and when I brought my son due to lack of childcare, they would say that politics is no place for a child. This perpetuated a huge double standard. I look young, so people often dismissed my level of experience and knowledge. But womanhood, sisterhood, and motherhood are my superpowers and I lean into who I am and where I come from.
When I ran for office, I was sued to prevent me from taking the seat I had won as a volunteer, elected, unpaid local leader. This led to me volunteering to bring about change because elected officials, corporate, and campaigns often hire those without children or students which means it was often hard to make a living doing what I love. Speaking up and speaking out for what’s right can be a challenging road, but it is also inspiring as I meet so many women, especially young women of color, who are searching for someone who looks like them in this field. I know our ancestors are giving me the fuel to press on. So, I try my best to lead with authenticity, humility, respect, equity, and inclusivity, no matter what. My hard-earned reputation speaks for itself.
What new fires are you starting?
This month, I was named Executive Director of the W. E. B. Du Bois Center for Freedom and Democracy in Great Barrington and will spend my time between Harlem and The Berkshires. Our Board has selected the theme of “Reflections on Democracy” and will highlight the teaching of Du Bois and his hope for America. I teach at NYU and curate a virtual Pop-Up Politics session where communities and students can select a topic and we bring an elected official, industry expert, celebrity, and grassroots volunteer together for an educational discussion and to share bite-sized ways people can take immediate action to influence change. I think breaking these complex policy issues down so our young people and voters can understand them will improve civic engagement. I helped launch participatory budgeting in NYC and now it's expanding across the country. I want to see this with civic education and engagement as well.
I am a phoenix. It is my priority to care for my son and my community. I will continue to rise from the ashes because as the descendent of Indigenous people and ancestors stolen from their lands, I owe it to those who came before me and those who will come after me. If we don't, who will? I also believe that hope and change are active verbs in a democracy run by the people for the people so we can't sit on the sidelines.
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I am also in awe of you, Shannon, but also Ny Whitaker!