who is

whitley yates 

Whitley Yates is an award-winning political power player, publicist, and entrepreneur. Her journey is a testament to her versatility and impact in both politics and media. She is a respected commentator on influential local and national media platforms, including Newsmax, FOX News, WISH-TV, MSNBC, Politico, The Hill, and REVOLT TV.

Her path into the world of politics began during her college years at Indiana University, where she served as the president of her residence hall for four years. Fueled by her passion for politics, she masterfully managed a campaign that led to the election of the third Black student body president in the university's history.

Building on this foundation, Whitley ventured to Los Angeles, where she offered her expertise as a consultant to mayoral candidate Marc Little, marking her first major campaign in a different political landscape. Upon returning to her home state of Indiana, Whitley diligently worked to bridge the gap between conservative principles and the Black community. Her community show, 'Yeah, I Said It,' not only garnered thousands of views but also unearthed local political corruption and was honored with the 'Best News Podcast' award from PopCon.

Whitley is also the founder and owner of The Niche Agency, a public relations and advertising firm specializing in multicultural marketing and storytelling. Over the past decade, she has been instrumental in shaping the identity of major brands in the fashion and entertainment industries. Her portfolio includes working with brands such as Motions Hair Care, spearheading a national campaign at Macy’s, and orchestrating the cover of Essence Magazine in 2019, featuring Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs.

What sets Whitley apart is her unique approach, deviating from traditional media to focus on strategic, creative concepts. Her career is defined by the creation of culture-shifting moments, with a viral photoshoot in February 2022, paying homage to the legacy of Madam C.J. Walker, garnering millions of views and gaining recognition from celebrities like Viola Davis, India Arie, and Megan Good.

In her role as the Director of Diversity and Engagement at the Indiana Republican Party, Whitley pioneered the Indiana Republican Diversity Leadership Series. This groundbreaking seminar and leadership training program aims to attract, train, and support minority Republicans across Indiana. Her emphasis on creating coalitions and fostering authentic relationships has propelled the program to national recognition and success at all levels of Republican politics in Indiana, setting a prototype and national model for political diversity initiatives and GOP engagement. Before her tenure at the Indiana Republican Party, Whitley ventured into new development real estate, overseeing multi-million-dollar construction endeavors.

Whitley's remarkable achievements have not gone unnoticed. In 2023, she was named one of the 'Top 40 Professionals Under 40' by the Indianapolis Business Journal. In 2022, she was honored with the 'Black Rising Star' award by Innopower & JP Morgan Chase, the 'RNC Emerging Leader Award,' and was inducted into the Young Republican Federation's '1856 Society.' She was also recognized as a 'Rising Star' in 2020 by the RNC and is an active member of the AEI Leadership Network.

With a Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies and a minor in legal studies from Indiana University Bloomington, Whitley is currently a J.D. candidate at the Indiana University McKinney School of Law. She is an alumnus of the Indiana Leadership Forum. She contributes to her community as a board member of the YMCA, Steward Speaker Series, the Indianapolis Black Chamber of Commerce, and a board member of the American Marketing Association and the member of Public Relations Society of America.

Whitley Yates is not just a political powerhouse but also a dynamic and influential voice in both the world of politics and entertainment media.