Na’ilah Amaru has spent more than two decades building grassroots governing power and strengthening inclusive democracy—from local neighborhoods to city halls and state capitols.
She has led mobilization efforts, built coalitions, and developed civic engagement strategies that expand participation in the democratic process, particularly among communities historically excluded from government decision-making.
As a founding member of New York’s first BIPOC Democracy Table, she helped launch a statewide coalition focused on embedding racial equity into democracy reforms. That commitment carried into her role as a key leader in the campaign to bring early voting to New York State, where she mobilized advocates across the state and coordinated direct engagement with legislators through the #LetNYVote coalition. Her efforts contributed to expanded early voting access for millions of New Yorkers and laid the groundwork for long-term voter participation reforms.
Throughout her career, Na’ilah has advised nonprofits, advocacy campaigns, and government bodies on strategy, organizing, and movement-building. She has held senior roles as Executive Director of the New York City Council’s Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus; policy advisor to former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed; and legislative aide to the late Congressman John Lewis. Through her work as a national trainer with Vote Run Lead, she trained women across the ideological spectrum to run for office and lead in their communities, broadening civic leadership and strengthening representative democracy.
Her work at the intersection of advocacy, organizing, and policy has earned national recognition. She was named a Top Grassroots Professional by the National Institute of Lobbying and Ethics, received the Women Serving Women Award from Women in Government Relations, and was selected to deliver a historic nomination speech at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.
A US Army veteran and recipient of the Army Commendation Medal for exemplary service during her deployment in Iraq, Na’ilah holds three master’s degrees—in public administration, public policy, and urban affairs, along with dual bachelor’s degrees in political science and criminal justice. She is currently pursuing a PhD in political science at the CUNY Graduate Center, where her research focuses on political participation, governing coalitions, and agenda-setting.