Author: Kirk Clay Sr.
Kirk Clay Sr. is a Senior Advisor, Analyst and Strategist. Currently, he leads many efforts. He is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of Capitol View Advisors. This includes publicly representing the collaborative, overseeing acquisition and guiding the overall program implementation with institutional and individual contributors.
Before that, Kirk Clay served as a Senior Advisor to PowerPAC+ where he built and led management systems, structures, and measures for the “start-up” business. Recently, he led an independent expenditure to elect U.S. Senator Cory Booker. Also, he served as the national field director during the 2008 primary season where he raised $10 million and led an effort that mobilized more than 500,000 voters in ten states.
Between 2008 and 2011, Mr. Clay was the National Civic Engagement Director for the NAACP where he was responsible for developing and implementing political research, advocacy and training agenda. Under his leadership, the NAACP executed three 4.0 style voter mobilization campaigns and a national census effort to increase civic participation rates in 2008, 2009, and 2010.
Mr. Clay’s background includes serving as the Treasurer for the PTA, Director of Outreach for Common Cause, Deputy Director for the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, Deputy Field Director for People For the American Way, Vice Chair of the Census Information Center Steering Committee, Lead Trainer / Administrator for Democratic National Committee, White House Intern and Senior Advisor.
He lives in Washington, DC with his wife and three children. His hobbies include traveling, cooking, and listening to jazz. He is a popular political blogger and is active on twitter @kirkclay and Blog: kirkclay.com capitolviewadvisors.com
#DefyTheFear Fear often leads us down the path of ‘woulda, shoulda, coulda.’ But you have the power to change that. Confront the feeling of emptiness, the anxiety of rejection. Face your fears today, and you’ll avoid the regret tomorrow. #Freedom #BeThe1st #RealRealty #Inspiration #HousingMarket
I’ve had the privilege of seeing firsthand the hopes and challenges of young Americans. The dream of owning your first home—a place to call your own, a foundation for your future—shouldn’t be out of reach. But today, the housing crisis and the fight for racial justice are making it tough, especially for young people of color. It’s time to make sure everyone has the opportunity to thrive. #Freedom #BeThe1st #RealRealty #Inspiration #HousingMarket
70 Days #B4uVote: Let’s choose HOPE over despair, ENGAGEMENT over apathy, KINDNESS over indifference, and LOVE over hate. Together, we can create a better future #BeThe1st #RealRealty #Freedom #GA123 #2r1wm #CelestialCoach #Election2024 #Debate2024 #VRA
Why You Can’t Find A Place to Live – Navigating Racial Justice and the Housing Crisis in Pennsylvania #Freedom#BeThe1st#RealRealty
I’ve had the privilege of seeing firsthand the aspirations and struggles of young Americans all across this country. And in Pennsylvania, I’ve seen those dreams turn into something far more challenging than they should ever be. The dream of owning your first home—a place you can call your own, a place where your future begins—is becoming harder to reach. The housing crisis we face today, intertwined with the ongoing fight for racial justice, is making it difficult for young people, particularly young people of color, to find a place where they can thrive.
We know that the journey to homeownership isn’t just about dollars and cents. It’s about security. It’s about finding a community where you feel you belong, where the schools are strong, where there are opportunities for your family and your future. But too often, for too many of you, these dreams are being dashed by systemic barriers that have been in place for far too long.
Consider this: 37% of Pennsylvania’s population identifies as people of color, and these communities are bearing the brunt of the housing crisis. In Philadelphia, where 42% of the voting-age population is of color, housing prices have surged by over 25% in the last decade. The same is happening in Pittsburgh, where many young people of color are finding it nearly impossible to afford a home in well-resourced neighborhoods. This isn’t just about housing—this is about justice.
The housing crisis in Pennsylvania is a reflection of broader racial inequities that have plagued this nation for generations. Communities of color have been systematically locked out of wealth-building opportunities. And let’s not kid ourselves—this didn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of policies that, whether intentionally or not, have kept certain neighborhoods white and affluent. Redlining, discriminatory lending, and unequal public investment have all played a part in creating the challenges we see today.
But here’s the good news: You are not powerless. You have a voice. And in this moment, more than any other, you have the power to shape the future. The fight for a better future, one where affordable housing and racial justice go hand in hand, is happening right now. It’s being led by people like you who refuse to settle for the status quo. You have the power to demand better from your leaders, to advocate for policies that promote equity and opportunity for all.
So let’s not give in to fear or frustration. Let’s stand up, let’s speak out, and let’s fight for the future we all deserve. Your dreams matter, your voices matter, and together, we can ensure that no one is forced to settle for anything less than the best this country has to offer. #Freedom #BeThe1st #RealRealty
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Kirk Clay leads Capitol View Advisors with a vision rooted deeply in our shared values, channeling our collective creativity and strategic insight to bridge communities with the essential information and resources they need to elevate and achieve their dreams.
KirkClay.com 