Angela Rye, Esq.
I met Angela Rye through a close colleague over 8 years ago, and since that time, we have shared numerous client accounts, as well as her invitation for me to lead the PR/Media management & panelist booking of the Emerging Leaders Town Hall at the Congressional Black Caucus Convention over several years in the past. A tough, no-nonsense attorney by trade, Angela balances the challenges of working in politics through her spiritual foundation and civic outreach.
Angela Rye is one of the most dynamic young leaders on Capitol Hill. She has been featured in The Root 100, MSNBC’s “BLTWY Power List: 35 Under 35 Who Changed DC”, the Washington Post’s “Who Runs Gov”, and recognized as one of DC’s Most Influential, among others. Ms. Rye currently serves as Principal of IMPACT Strategies.
Most recently, she served as the Executive Director and General Counsel to the Congressional Black Caucus. In her role as executive director, Rye was tasked with developing the overall legislative and political strategy for the caucus. Prior to this appointment, Ms. Rye was Senior Advisor and Counsel to the House Committee on Homeland Security under the leadership of Congressman Bennie G. Thompson, Chairman. There, she was charged with developing the general political strategy for the Committee with a focus on assisting disenfranchised, small minority owned businesses.
Upon moving to the Nation’s Capital, Rye co-founded IMPACT, an organization that seeks to encourage young professionals in three core areas: economic empowerment, civic engagement, and political involvement. The five year-old organization has quickly become a powerful voice and advocate for today’s young professionals of color nationwide. Rye continues to serve as IMPACT’s Director of Strategic Partnerships. During her tenure with the organization, IMPACT has formed partnerships with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Rainbow PUSH’s Wall Street Project, Young & Powerful, Congressional Black Caucus Political Education and Leadership Institute, Black Leadership Forum, and others.
Rye began her career in legislative advocacy upon graduating from Seattle University School of Law, at the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO), which is the umbrella association for the Nation’s 120 historically and predominately black colleges and universities on Capitol Hill and with the Executive Branch. At NAFEO, she served as the Coordinator of Advocacy and Legislative Affairs. Prior to NAFEO, Rye had the privilege of serving as a Legal Extern in Congresswoman Maxine Waters’ Los Angeles office. While working in the district office, Rye learned about legislative procedure and organization, as well as developed favorable public policy for constituents, and assisted in the mobilization and organization of community members to make a difference locally.
Team IMPACT (Angela Rye, Esq. center)
Rye also served as the Western Region Director for the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) where she managed and supervised the Western Region Executive Board. Formerly the Legislative Affairs Chair of the Greater Washington Area Chapter (GWAC) for the Women’s Law Division of the NBA, Rye is committed to shoring up efforts to increase knowledge of the political processes for her colleagues and peers. Rye’s reputation for advocacy led to her recent appointment to the American Bar Association’s Government Affairs Committee, where she serves as the YLD Liaison. She is also Vice Chair of the National Bar Association Young Lawyers Division.
Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Rye learned the importance of advocacy through her family’s political and community activism. She now resides in Bowie, Maryland and is a member of Reid Temple AME Church.
For your persevering work as a necessary voice for this generation…cheers, Angela.
Find Angela as a featured blogger on The Huffington Post, as well as providing political commentary on MSNBC & TVOne. Find her on Facebook & Twitter @Angela_Rye.
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