Black voters have long been the backbone of the Democratic Party, but remain underrepresented in the rooms where campaign money, messaging and strategy are controlled.
Ashley Etienne, a communications strategist who has been a senior advisor to several Democratic leaders, including former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, former Vice President Kamala Harris, says it’s beyond time that the party brings Black voters to the political table in an equitable way.
Etienne, who was also communications director and senior advisor to Nancy Pelosi, spoke with The Emancipator about how Black voters must recognize their leverage, make clear demands and insist on sustained investment in Black political infrastructure. She discusses how the structure of the Democratic Party has marginalized Black voters, the consequences of preserving the status quo in elections and what Democrats must do to rebuild trust before the 2026 midterm elections. Check out more from this Emancipator interview with Etienne, which was edited and condensed for clarity.
