Jazmin Kay

Storyteller

@JazminLKay

Passionate about making politics + policy more accessible through communications. *Click "View By Section" for writing by publication.

Jazmin Kay

Storyteller

@JazminLKay

Passionate about making politics + policy more accessible through communications. *Click "View By Section" for writing by publication.

Celebrating United Nations Day: Here’s How You Can Help Make a Difference
Seventy-one years ago, the world came together after two world wars to move forward and strengthen international cooperation, creating a better, more connected world. Today, we reflect on the progress we’ve made since then to promote international peace and prosperity and celebrate the work we’ve done to address some of the most important issues of our time.
The White House
The White House
#DadsAndDaughters: Celebrating International Day of the Girl
Take a look at the progress we've made on behalf of girls around the world under the Obama administration. “I didn’t run for President so that the dreams of our daughters could be deferred or denied. I didn’t run for President to see inequality and injustice persist in our time. I ran for President to put the same rights, the same opportunities, and the same dreams within the reach for our daughters and our sons alike. Today is International Day of the Girl. That means countries around the world are honoring the importance of empowering girls so they can reach their full potential.
The White House
The White House
Follow Along: South by South Lawn
Here's what's happening at #SXSL, a White House festival of ideas, art, and action. Today at the White House, we’re hosting the South by South Lawn Festival -- and all day long, we'll be keeping you updated right here on everything #SXSL and how you can use your voice to help make a difference. SXSL is all about celebrating America’s spirit of innovation and bringing together changemakers for a festival of ideas, art, and action.
The White House
The White House
Get Help Paying for College: Fill Out Your FAFSA Application
Now more than ever, students have the opportunity to receive financial aid to assist them in their pursuit of higher education. Every young person deserves the opportunity to have access to a high-quality education. That's why President Obama has made a historic investment in student aid and implemented reforms to make sure earning a college degree is within reach for all students willing to work for it. Today, more students are graduating college than ever before -- and many historically underserved students are enrolling in college for the first time with fewer student loans and other barriers.
The White House
The White House
Welcoming #TeamUSA to the White House
Today, the White House welcomed members of the 2016 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams to the White House to honor their participation and success in this year’s Games in Rio. As the President said at the reception, this is the last time during his presidency that he'll welcome Olympians and Paralympians at the White House.
The White House
The White House
What They're Saying: South by South Lawn
Next week, the White House will bring together innovators and organizers who work to create change at the first-ever South by South Lawn. Last month, the White House announced the first-ever South by South Lawn (SXSL), a festival to celebrate the spirit of innovation and bring together creative thinkers and entrepreneurs from across the country to discuss how we can tackle some of our biggest challenges. Since then, we have received over 20,000 nominations of people who are helping to improve the lives of their fellow Americans and people around the world. SXSL is an opportunity for us to celebrate the inspiring work of changemakers across the nation, and to leverage our collective efforts into creating positive change going forward.
The White House
The White House
Here's How the Private Sector Is Addressing the Global Refugee Crisis
"We have to open our hearts and do more to help refugees who are desperate for a home." -- President Obama, September 20, 2016 There are currently more than 21 million refugees across the globe, part of the largest mass displacement on record since World War II. To address this global crisis, President Obama put forward a call to action in June, challenging private sector companies to provide the following:
U.S. Department of State
State Department
Here's How the Private Sector Is Addressing the Global Refugee Crisis
Today, businesses from across the nation committed to helping aid refugees in the United States and around the world. There are currently more than 21 million refugees across the globe, part of the largest mass displacement on record since World War II. To address this global crisis, President Obama put forward a call to action in June, challenging private sector companies to provide the following: Support for more than 6.3 million refugees across more than 20 countries.
The White House
The White House
Taking Action on Climate: President Obama's Trip to Nevada and the Pacific
Yesterday, President Obama headed west to speak at the 20th anniversary of the Annual Lake Tahoe Summit and the Pacific Island Conference of Leaders in his home state of Hawaii. In both remarks, he shared his personal views on why combating climate change and protecting our nation's lands and waters is more important than ever.
The White House
The White House
Sweet 16: The Case for Lowering the Voting Age
For Mattan Berner-Kadish, the fight for lowering the voting age is personal. Growing up in Takoma Park, Maryland, Berner-Kadish, 19, remembers eagerly going to the polls with his parents. Until finally, the day came for him to cast his own vote sooner than he expected. He was only 17. “That day it was never really about whether I was making a huge difference or not. It was that I think voting is an incredibly meaningful and important thing to do in our society and as a part of our democracy,” said Berner-Kadish. While there was only one person running for his ward in Takoma Park that day, to Berner-Kadish, casting a vote was part of a bigger commitment he had to civic engagement.
The Nation
The Nation
What I’ve Learned From Reporting On Voting Rights
I started covering voting rights when I was too young to cast a ballot myself, and deemed too young by my elder peers to care. Yet, for me, voting has always been considered a central pillar to the belief that my generation deserves a stake in shaping the issues that matter to us.
Generation Progress
Generation Progress
Why I’m Hesitant To Tell People What My Major Is
Going into your freshman year of college, “What is your major?”. often becomes the question that defines your identity. Going into your freshman year of college, “What is your major?”. often becomes the question that defines your identity. This is why, when going through the end of high school and beginning of college, I was always hesitant to answer.
MTV
MTV
"How I Learned to Love My Stretch Marks"
It's every young woman's worse nightmare: looking down and finding those pinkish-purple lines emerging on fresh skin. It's the surprise no one ever really wants. Welcome to the world of stretch marks. I'll admit, when I first saw stretch marks on my upper thighs during my sophomore year of high school, I thought they were hideous.
Seventeen
Seventeen Magazine
Disabled And Denied: The Fight for Voting Rights For People With Disabilities
Voting is often viewed as one of the most tangible—and most important—exercises of human rights. Yet for the 33.7 million Americans with disabilities who are of voting age, this hallmark human right is far too often made extremely difficult or denied. The lack of coverage and action to ensure full voting agency to citizens with intellectual and physical disabilities is astounding.
Generation Progress
Generation Progress
State Of The (Millennial) Union: Voting Rights And Civic Engagement
The President’s last State of the Union address re-enforced not only the need to ensure the right to vote as one of the most sacred duties as a citizen, but also helped remind some of the nation’s most disenfranchised groups, including young people, that their voices matter.
Generation Progress
Generation Progress
The Three Questions You Should Be Asking College Students
Now that back-to-school season is here, college students everywhere are likely being asked the same annoying questions. Postgraduates love to recycle the same-old conversation starters, and they’ve overstayed their welcome! we’re not about to leave you hanging. Below, allow us to offer some clarity on which questions, exactly, college students have answered a zillion times (often via four words: "I don’t know yet!")
Fast Company

About

Jazmin Kay

Writing

Blogging

Editing

Nonprofits

Social Media

Adobe InDesign

Microsoft Office

Digital Content

Political Communications

Political Organizing

Research

Political Strategy

Data Journalism

HTML

Analytics

Impact Strategy

Driven by a passion for making policy more accessible through innovative communications and strengthening local communities, Jazmin has served as a nonprofit leader, government consultant, and government appointee. She most recently served as a Government & Public Services Senior Consultant at Deloitte, where she supported state and local governments and led a go-to-market strategy team, growing revenue by 30%. Prior to joining Deloitte, Jazmin worked with state, local, and municipal government organizations, serving as Deputy Communications Director for the Ulster County Executive in the Hudson Valley, New York. In this role, she supported strategic communications and external affairs for 25 County departments and helped facilitate the development and presentation of a $333.8 million budget. Jazmin represented the Executive’s Office to stakeholders, leading public engagement, media relations, and digital marketing.

She is the former Executive Director of 18by Vote, a non-partisan non-profit organization that aims to help teen voters understand how to vote, when to vote and why to vote. Her writing and personal essays have been published in The Wall Street Journal, The Nation, HuffPost, MTV, Seventeen Magazine, VICE, i-D, Rookie Magazine, Fast Company, Mic, The Center for American Progress, The U.S. Department of State Official Blog, and The White House Blog under President Barack Obama. She has been featured on the TODAY Show, BBC World News, Good Morning America, CNN, CBS News, Shondaland, Teen Vogue, and more, frequently commenting as a youth voting expert.

Jazmin graduated Summa Cum Laude with Special Honors from The George Washington University with a B.A. in Political Science. Jazmin received her M.P.A. in Public & Nonprofit Management & Policy at New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service as a Bohnett Public Service Fellow. She has served in digital and communications roles at The Obama White House in the Office of Digital Strategy, The Office of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, The Office of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), The New York Times, and The Center for American Progress.

She is a two-time New York Women in Communications Scholar and was named a Hearst Magazines Scholar for her work as a writer and digital content creator.