Waikinya Clanton
for DNC Vice Chair
Transparency
Rebuilding Trust with the People
Transparency is the foundation of trust, and trust is essential for progress. The Democratic Party must prioritize open, honest communication with voters, stakeholders, and leaders.
- Clarity in Decision-Making
- Financial Transparency
- Living by Our Values
Transformation
Expanding the Map and Fighting on All Fronts
Transformation is not just about change—it is about strategic growth that delivers tangible results. The Democratic Party must evolve to meet the needs of the people and win in every community.
- A 50+ State Strategy
- Fighting on All Fronts
- Messaging the Resonates
A Platform for
Leadership and Progress
Teamwork
Building a Stronger Democratic Party Together
Teamwork is about collaboration, inclusion, and creating a culture where every Democrat feels they have a role to play in our shared success.
- Organizing Everywhere
- Supporting Unions and Workers
- Developing Local Leaders
- Sustaining Relations with Communities
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About the Candidate
Waikinya J. S. Clanton is a gifted, young trailblazer who is a highly sought-after strategic, political, and campaign investments advisor and community engagement strategist.
Waikinya is the Founder of Black Women For Kamala– a grassroots community of nearly 300,000 Black women volunteers dedicated to supporting Vice President Kamala Harris in her bid for the presidency. As Founder, Waikinya has led the charge to help elect Vice President Kamala Harris as the first African American woman president and strengthen and support communities by educating and empowering emerging activists and advocates.
Having previously served as Senior Advisor to the Chairman as well as served as the Associate Director of African American and Women’s Outreach and Engagement of the Democratic National Committee, Executive Director of the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women as well as a Congressional aide to Congressman Bennie G. Thompson,(MS-2) Waikinya has dedicated more than a decade of her career to public service and leadership. Waikinya is most commonly known for her role as the chief architect of the leading democratic organizing campaign -- Seat at the Table, a program that galvanized thousands of Black women throughout the country to secure key electoral victories in 2018, 2019, and 2020.
Waikinya is a graduate of the historic Tougaloo College, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with an emphasis in Pre-Law. She also holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, as well as certifications in Strategic Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University, Community Engagement & Participatory Design from Duke University, Campaign Management from the Campaign School at Yale University and most recently received her Executive Certification in Social Impact Strategy from the University of Pennsylvania. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, where she serves at both the local and National levels and is a member of the Jackson (MS) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.
She is the recipient of many distinct awards and honors including the inaugural Tougaloo College’s 40 Under 40, The Root 100 Top Influential African Americans, the Judge Constance Slaughter Harvey Champion Award, and being named as one of Mississippi’s Top 50 Women in Business by the Mississippi Business Journal. Waikinya was recently chosen as an Eric H. Holder Public Policy Fellow for the Reuben V. Anderson Social Justice Institute. She was selected by Women for Progress of Mississippi as the 2024 Woman of the Year and is a 2024 recipient of the Joseph R. Biden Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.
