We're Not OK: A Community of Healing

Hosts Justin Stewart and Dr. Antija Allen are joined by Tasha Cole--the inaugural Deputy Executive Director and Chief Diversity Officer for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). Through her vast experience working on presidential campaigns, political conventions, statewide ballot initiatives and as deputy campaign manager for a U.S. Senate campaign in Florida, they unpack topics including her participation in this year’s Power Rising Summit, anti-DEI legislation, the need for safe spaces, and the 2024 election.

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Key Episode Topics:

• Power Rising Summit

• Anti-DEI Legislation

• The Need for Safe Spaces​

• 2024 Election

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Tasha Cole is a transformational leader when it comes to the issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in Democratic politics. Her distinct professional pedigree is informed by a dynamic career as a journalist, campaign operative, senior advisor and chief of staff to members of Congress, fundraiser, and organization leader. She’s a graduate of the famed HBCU, Florida A&M University, and a member of the historic Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Taken together, her life’s experience means she is particularly adept at solving intractable problems, bringing people together, and leading with empathy.

As the DCCC’s Deputy Executive Director for Stakeholder Engagement and Chief Diversity Officer, the first person in the committee's history to hold the role, she’s brought her prolific experiences to bear. Her leadership has been acknowledged in the expansion of work including managing the Committee’s involvement with some of its most critical stakeholders that support and guide the Committee’s work including Members of Congress and Partners and Allies.

Cole understands the value of increasing cultural competency and has worked to inform how it is applied across the organization, such as polling and analytics to engage distinct voter audiences. She and her team have developed training for the workforce on issues ranging from racial justice to mitigating bias in the workplace. Under her leadership the creation of new accountability mechanisms have been implemented allowing the committee to track its progress and be held to account for its performance going forward.

Her successful leadership means the committee spent more than $30 million with people of color owned and led firms during the 2020 and 2022 cycle – up from $700,000 in 2014. The committee achieved nearly 50% people of color and more than 50% women identifying staff at the committee. It’s also expanded its data tracking mechanisms to include additional identities, such as LGBTQ+ and the disability community.

Cole’s leadership has been celebrated in national media outlets, led to new partnerships with third-party allies and new vendor relationships. The DCCC’s approach to DEI is being adopted and replicated by other Democratic party structures and progressive organizations in the Democratic ecosystem. Her transformational leadership means House Democrats are building, training, and investing in diverse professionals, systems and organizations – shaping the face of politics for the next generation.