Every movement has voices that rise quietly at first, shaped by family, community, and the times they live in. Yolanda H. Caraway, Founder of The Caraway Group, grew up in Rochester, New York, where the civil rights struggle was not a distant story but part of her own household. Her brother-in-law, Rev. Wendell H. Phillips, an ordained minister and president of the Rochester NAACP, had marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Such exposure in her teenage years sparked a passion for social equity and political engagement.
That passion took root early. At just fourteen, she volunteered on Robert Kennedy’s Senate campaign in New York, knocking on doors and stuffing envelopes. It was her first glimpse of politics as a force for change. Kennedy’s victory brought her a signed letter of thanks, a keepsake that still hangs in her office as a reminder of those first steps.
Her journey soon expanded from local campaigns in Maryland to the national stage in Washington. Each role she took, from Capitol Hill to the Democratic National Committee, reflected the same conviction she discovered as a teenager: politics could open the door to lasting equity.
Building the Caraway Group
From the beginning, Yolanda carried an entrepreneurial spirit. “I always knew I wanted to have my own business, even as a kid,” she says. After years in politics, she used her network to launch The Caraway Group, first as an event management firm and later expanding into public relations and public affairs.
The shift proved wise, fueling success through the 1990s and 2000s. Along the way, she mentored dozens of young professionals who went on to lead in their own right. At its core, the firm reflected her belief in true workplace diversity, a value she championed daily.
Core Services and Impact
The Caraway Group specializes in public relations, public affairs, community engagement, and event management. Each service is designed to help organizations connect meaningfully with their audiences. What distinguishes the firm, Yolanda Caraway explains, is its focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in every strategy.
“Understanding DEI is not just a principle; it shapes how clients relate to their consumers,” she says. By blending strategic insight with an inclusive perspective, the company helps organizations build trust and engagement while reflecting the communities they serve. This approach ensures that every campaign, event, or initiative resonates authentically.
Advocating for Women and Communities of Color
Yolanda has devoted much of her career to supporting women and communities of color. These groups bring energy, ambition, and purpose, not problems. The real challenge often comes from clients who need guidance on why diversity, equity, and inclusion strengthen an organization. “It is not just the right thing to do; it is smart business,” she emphasizes.
Through her work, Yolanda shows leaders that fostering inclusion can improve culture, innovation, and results. Her approach combines patience with conviction, helping organizations move beyond obligation to see representation as an opportunity for growth and long-term success.
Leading with Purpose
For more than thirty years, Yolanda led The Caraway Group with energy and focus, building a firm recognized for both its strategy and impact. Today, she works independently as a consultant after downsizing her staff, continuing to guide clients with the same insight that has defined her career.
Yolanda believes deeply in the power and responsibility of mentorship. Throughout her career, she has guided and championed young professionals, instilling in them the importance of “paying it forward”—a lesson many have carried into their own remarkable journeys. Her commitment to nurturing emerging leaders was shaped by the extraordinary mentors who invested in her long before she fully recognized her own potential.
One of the earliest was former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown, with whom she worked alongside at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) in the early 1980s. Through her work at the DNC, she also crossed paths with two aspiring presidential hopefuls—William Jefferson Clinton and the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson. She later served as Deputy Chair of President Clinton’s first inaugural committee and, following Jackson’s 1984 presidential campaign, was appointed as the first political director of the Rainbow Coalition before becoming his Chief of Staff during his 1988 bid.
Last year, she launched Rise United, a nonprofit that empowers content creators across the country to engage in conversations about national, state, and local issues. “I want young people to use their voices to shape the conversations that matter,” she says. For Yolanda, every project is a chance to connect strategy with civic engagement and lasting change.
Defining Impact and Success
For Yolanda, success is measured not by awards or recognition but by tangible transformation in people’s lives. She recalls a program she helped design for Microsoft in partnership with the National Urban League called the “Build Your Business Tour.” High school juniors and seniors in urban areas were challenged to build a business with $2,000 using technology. Every Saturday, they met at a local Microsoft office with volunteers to develop their business plans. Teams then presented their ideas at the NUL conference, with winners receiving $2,000 and computer equipment.
“The impact this program had on these kids’ lives was amazing,” Yolanda says. Parents shared stories of change: a son discovering a love for technology, another learning responsibility and initiative, and one student finding motivation to pursue his goals. Moments like these, where guidance turns into real opportunity, define her idea of true impact.
Breaking Barriers and Building Trust
Yolanda’s journey as a Black woman in leadership has come with its share of challenges. Navigating high-stakes political environments, building influence, and becoming a trusted voice required patience, strategy, and persistence. She also had to manage public perception and reputation while transitioning across eras of advocacy, moving from traditional political operations to today’s creator-driven, digital-first activism. Resource limitations and capacity constraints added another layer of complexity.
“Emotional and personal resilience became as important as any skill,” Yolanda reflects. For her, overcoming these obstacles meant learning to adapt, lead with integrity, and remain committed to the communities she serves. Each challenge strengthened her ability to guide others and create opportunities where impact could thrive.
Driving Inclusion at the Corporate Level
Yolanda has worked with major corporations such as Apple, Google, and AT&T, guiding them on racial parity, diversity, and inclusion. Her approach goes beyond statements and policies; it blends business imperatives, measurable accountability, and cultural transformation. “The most effective strategy combines performance metrics with cultural change,” she explains.
Executives respond to results, not just intentions, and Yolanda ensures that inclusion initiatives align with organizational goals. By tying diversity to tangible outcomes, she helps companies build workplaces that are both equitable and high-performing, creating environments where employees feel seen, valued, and empowered to contribute their best work.
Looking Ahead and Staying Grounded
Yolanda Caraway believes leadership is not just about personal success but about bringing others along. In her book, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Politics, which she co-authored with longtime friends Donna Brazile, Leah Daughtry, and Minyon Moore, Yolanda emphasizes the importance of holding the door open for others. “Leadership is meaningful when it lifts people up and creates space for them to thrive,” she says.
Today, she dedicates her time to Rise United, the nonprofit she founded to empower content creators and foster conversations about civic issues nationwide. Outside of her work, Yolanda finds balance in cooking, entertaining friends, and traveling to new places to experience different cultures. These moments allow her to recharge, gain a fresh perspective, and return to her work with renewed energy and focus.
Advice for Emerging Changemakers
Yolanda speaks with the clarity and care of someone who has navigated decades of high-stakes leadership and civic engagement. Her message to young leaders, particularly women of color, is both practical and inspiring. “Dream big and follow your instincts,” she says. She reflects on her own experiences, noting that she has rarely gone wrong when trusting her first gut reaction. At the same time, she urges emerging changemakers to prepare a Plan B, understanding that even the best-laid plans sometimes need adjustment.
“Knowing your own worth” is central to Yolanda’s guidance. She encourages young leaders to advocate for themselves, whether it is asking for a promotion, a contract, or a raise. “The worst they can say is no,” she reminds them, highlighting that confidence paired with preparation is a powerful combination. She also emphasizes integrity, urging them to keep their moral compass intact and avoid letting others sway their values.
Finally, she offers a modern caution: “Not everything requires public display. Some victories, some growth, and some hard work are meant to be personal.” In her words, success is as much about self-respect and authenticity as it is about achievement, and she hopes the next generation carries that forward.
Quotes
“Always know what you want and don’t be afraid to ask for it, whether it’s a promotion, a contract, or a raise – ask.”
“Keep your moral compass intact – don’t let others convince you otherwise.”
Also Read: The 10 Most Influential Black Women Leaders of 2025, Vol-2
