Veteran public affairs expert and Obama Administration appointee brings decades of experience and inspired strategic visioning
WASHINGTON — Hip Hop Caucus announces today Tanya Clay House as the Executive Vice President, Campaigns and Advocacy. Hip Hop Caucus is a national nonprofit and nonpartisan organization that uses the power of hip-hop culture to advance civil and human rights. Hip Hop Caucus has grown exponentially in recent years to extend its leadership across the country. As the Executive Vice President, Campaigns and Advocacy, Tanya will spearhead the strategic direction of Hip Hop Caucus’ portfolio of award-winning campaigns and new advocacy initiatives.
“Hip Hop Caucus is thrilled and fortunate to have Tanya Clay House join the team,” said Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., Hip Hop Caucus President and CEO. “This moment in our history where we are striving not only for equity and justice, but for existence, calls for bold action, increased collaboration and inspired leadership. Tanya’s breadth of experience and knowledge will elevate our work and strengthen the political power of our communities. It is an incredible privilege to have Tanya’s leadership on the team and I am excited about the path we build ahead.”
Tanya joins Hip Hop Caucus from State Infrastructure Fund (SIF) where she managed the voting rights portfolio, including all national voting rights litigation funding. Tanya’s work at SIF included management of the Voting Rights Working Group, a collective of twelve of the nation’s premier civil rights organizations engaged in voting rights litigation, and the development and management of the Election Protection Mapping Project, a tool that provides a comprehensive landscape of the state and national voter protection activities across the country.
As an Obama Administration appointee, Tanya served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for P-12 Education in the Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development (OPEPD) at the U.S. Department of Education. In her role, she provided policy recommendations to senior Department officials, oversaw the development of policy in the P-12 budget and spending plan, and was responsible for decisions for major grant competitions. Tanya also led high priority policy initiatives across the Department, including work on school diversity, discipline practices, and the racial justice implications of policies throughout the Department.
“This is such an exciting time to join the Hip Hop Caucus as it celebrates 18 years in the social justice movement.” said Tanya Clay House, Executive Vice President, Campaigns and Advocacy. “I am thrilled to become a member of the leadership team lending my expertise, passion and support in shepherding its expansion on critical civil rights and social justice issues such as voting rights, women’s rights, climate justice, economic justice, criminal justice and more. At its core, the Hip Hop Caucus has consistently focused on addressing the critical issues impacting Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) and underserved communities, and it is this incredible commitment that has encouraged me to return to my roots of over two decades in the civil rights coalition, as we continue to confront the significant challenges ahead.”
Tanya has worked in Congress and within the nonprofit coalition space, and has testified numerous times before the U.S. Congress, State Legislatures, and Federal and State Agencies. Tanya has been interviewed and quoted by national television, print and radio media, including NBC Nightly News, Associated Press, National Public Radio, C-SPAN, BET News and The New York Times. Tanya has also received numerous awards for her work, including from the National Bar Association, Rainbow Push Coalition, The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Women Engaged, and the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation.
Tanya graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in political science and earned her J.D. from the University of Texas, School of Law. Tanya resides outside of Washington, D.C.
For more information about Hip Hop Caucus and Tanya Clay House, visit hiphopcaucus.org.
About Hip Hop Caucus
Formed in 2004, the Hip Hop Caucus (HHC) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that leverages Hip Hop culture to encourage young people to participate in the democratic process. Through a collaborative leadership network, HHC addresses core issues affecting underserved communities. HHC programs and campaigns support solution-driven community organizing led by today’s young leaders.
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