As the Democratic Party seeks to energize its base, mobilize voters, and combat misinformation, the appointment of new leaders is ever so critical.
Yesterday, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) elected a new slate of officers, ushering in a group of leaders poised to shape the party’s future. Among them is Pennsylvania State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta, who will serve as one of the DNC’s three vice chairs.
“Now let’s get to work rebuilding our party: for our future and for our working families!” Kenyatta shared on X.
Kenyatta has built a career defined by firsts. In 2018, he became the first openly LGBTQ+ person of color elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. He later made history again as the first openly LGBTQ+ person of color to run for U.S. Senate in 2022 and, in 2024, became the first openly LGBTQ+ person to win a statewide Democratic nomination in Pennsylvania when he secured the party’s backing for Auditor General.
Kenyatta has been a relentless advocate for workers’ rights, government accountability, and economic equity. Through his service on the State Government, Commerce, and Judiciary Committees, he also works to ensure that progressive policies are not just discussed but actively implemented.
In addition to his legislative work, Kenyatta was appointed by President Joe Biden in 2023 to chair the Presidential Advisory Commission on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans.
As outlined in its final report, the commission has shaped policies that have directly improved the lives of Black Americans:
- Economic Impact: The American Rescue Plan and the expanded Child Tax Credit lifted 4 million Black Americans, including 1.2 million Black children, out of poverty in 2021, cutting the Black child poverty rate by 43%.
- Education: Federal funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) has increased by over $5 billion since 2021, including $2.7 billion in pandemic relief and $2.3 billion in debt relief.
- Housing: Through executive action, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has been directed to address racial bias in home appraisals, potentially increasing the average value of a Black-owned home by $48,000.
- Criminal Justice: The full implementation of the First Step Act under this administration has resulted in the release of over 8,000 individuals from federal prisons, with 91% of sentence reductions for crack cocaine offenses involving Black Americans.
- Healthcare: The expansion of the Affordable Care Act has reduced the uninsured rate among Black Americans from 20% in 2020 to 12% in 2023.
His appointment as a DNC Vice Chair now positions him at the forefront of national party leadership, where he will have a direct hand in shaping Democratic strategy heading into the crucial 2026 midterm elections and the 2028 presidential race.
Democrats are ready to stand up and fight back for working families! https://t.co/URS0JwUP1R
— Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (@malcolmkenyatta) February 2, 2025
With his husband, Dr. Matthew Kenyatta, and their dog, Cleo, by his side, Kenyatta steps into his new role with a clear mission: to help guide the Democratic Party into its next era—one that reflects the voices of everyday Americans fights for justice and continues breaking barriers.
“Now there are folks who have written their obituaries of the Democratic Party. But I didn’t come all the way to the National Harbor for a funeral, I came for a revival,” Kenyatta said during his acceptance speech.
His election as Vice Chair of the DNC is not just a win for progressives—it’s a win for representation, resilience, and the future of American democracy.
Check out the full slate of DNC officers below.
- Chair: Ken Martin
- Vice Chair for Civic Engagement and Voter Participation (CEVP): Reyna Walters-Morgan
- Vice Chairs: Artie Blanco, Malcolm Kenyatta, David Hogg
- Secretary: Jason Rae
- Treasurer: Virginia McGregor
- National Finance Chair: Chris Korge
