Tamara L. Bates

Tamara L. Bates is a powerhouse in civic engagement, social justice advocacy, and political strategy. With a career dedicated to mobilizing communities, amplifying marginalized voices, and shaping policy, she has played pivotal roles in historic elections, voting rights initiatives, and leadership development programs across the South.

As the National Director of Government Relations and HBCU Partnerships Consultant for the National College Resources Foundation, Tamara bridges education and civic empowerment to cultivate the next generation of leaders. From organizing students across the Southeast to working on felon rights restoration, she has been relentless in her mission to build Black political power and create equitable systems of governance.

Her advocacy journey began at Philander Smith College, where she was mentored by Dr. Walter Kimbrough, instilling in her the belief that leadership is an active, intentional force for change. As a White House HBCU Scholar and a seasoned political strategist, she has led game-changing voter mobilization efforts, founded Rock AR Vote, shaped civic education curricula, and mentored young organizers through her Power of Your Voice initiative.

Tamara’s work is deeply rooted in challenging traditional narratives of leadership and representation. Through Owning the Room: Leading When You Don’t Fit the Mold, she empowers others to embrace their authenticity and step into their power—reshaping the systems that were never built with them in mind.

A voice of resilience, impact, and transformation, Tamara Bates is a leader unapologetically forging new paths in politics, education, and community empowerment.