News

Following The Release Of Civil Rights Groups Senate Scorecard Detailing Policy Shortcomings, National Action Network (NAN) Announces Promotion to Ebonie C. Riley as Senior Vice President of Policy and Strategic Partnerships

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Nov 17, 2021

New York, NY (November 17, 2021) – National Action Network (NAN) and Reverend Sharpton are proud to announce the promotion of Ebonie C. Riley to Senior Vice President of Policy and Strategic Partnerships for National Action Network’s Washington, D.C. Bureau.

This announcement comes directly after a coalition of civil rights organizations released its first-ever Senate scorecard, which grades every U.S. Senator on performance based on their votes on the American Recovery Act, Freedom to Vote Act, John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act as well as their support for eliminating the filibuster in the 117th U.S. Congress. The scorecard release comes on the heels of a minority of U.S. Senators repeatedly blocking widely popular legislation that is critical to defending free and fair access to the ballot box for communities of color.

Reverend Sharpton has committed to expanding the diversity of the organization’s leadership in the near future with him and the National Action Network Board expected to nominate a female Vice-Chair of the Board in the months to come.

Ebonie C. Riley said: “While other civil rights organizers and I continue to advocate and organize for communities on voting rights, police brutality, and criminal justice reform. We must also underscore that some young people are doing this work through legacy organizations. I am proud to walk in the spirit and tradition of Dr. King with the women leaders at NAN.

“Working with Reverend Al Sharpton for many years, I have seen firsthand the ins and outs of a political system that is not designed to work for us. The halls of congress often neglect to represent the people, specifically monitories groups that these policies disproportionally negatively affect, National Action Network and Reverend Sharpton continue to invite women of color to the table and even create new seats.

“As we continue to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the institution that is NAN, I encourage the next generations to keep the fight alive as our voices will only be heard if we use them in numbers.

“Thank you to Reverend Sharpton, the National Action Network board, Attorney Michael A. Hardy, and my colleagues who work tirelessly for a change. I am honored to work with civil rights groups and leaders that not only ask for better from others but do better themselves.”

Reverend Sharpton said: “When I founded National Action Network it was a promise and commitment to devote my work and life to continuing the work and legacy of the civil rights leaders that came before me and create equal opportunity for our people.

“Over the past 30 years, we have been joined by thousands of people who heard a call to action. Ebonie Riley is one of those people who not only heard the call but has risen time and time to the occasion on advocating for us in legislative policy.

“National Action Network is proud to call Ebonie our Senior Vice President of Policy and Strategic Partnerships for our Washington, D.C. Bureau, and just as I did when NAN began, I will continue to commit to increasing opportunities for women and those that often haven’t been afforded it.”

Ms. Riley began at NAN as a research and policy associate and has been an integral part of the civil rights efforts to move forward legislation on voting rights, police brutality, minority access to healthcare and, criminal justice reform.

About National Action Network

National Action Network is one of the leading civil rights organizations in the Nation with chapters throughout the entire United States. Founded in 1991 by Reverend Al Sharpton, NAN works within the spirit and tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to promote a modern civil rights agenda that includes the fight for one standard of justice, decency and equal opportunities for all people regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, citizenship, criminal record, economic status, gender, gender expression, or sexuality. For more information, visit www.nationalactionnetwork.net

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