Amber Taylor is the Strategic Communications Director at the ACLU of the District of Columbia, where she has led the organization’s communications strategy since 2021. She leads the organization’s comprehensive communications strategy, overseeing media relations, publications, digital content, and community outreach initiatives.
Before joining the ACLU-D.C., Amber served as the Digital Communications Strategist for the ACLU of Maryland, where she helped drive advocacy campaigns to end Baltimore’s aerial surveillance program, advance historic police reform, defend the rights of Harlem Park residents following a weeklong police lockdown, and expand access to the ballot box.
Amber is a proud Baltimore native and graduate of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Media and Communication Studies. She’s passionate about amplifying stories that highlight justice, equity, and community resilience.
Alicia Yass, serves as the Policy Advocacy Director. Before coming to the ACLU-DC, Alicia was Chief Counsel for the Democrats on the House of Representatives, Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic. There, she led work investigating COVID origins, NIH grant processes, and NY State’s COVID response in nursing homes. Prior to that, she was Deputy Executive Director for the DC Office of Police Complaints, providing oversight and guidance to DC’s MPD and HAPD. She was previously with the American Constitution Society (ACS), leading the lawyer chapters. Alicia started her legal career as a trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, and was co-assigned as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, where she prosecuted child pornography and child sex trafficking crimes. Alicia received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from George Washington University, and her law degree from New York University School of Law. In her free time Alicia teaches barre and puts on shows with the St. Mark’s Players.
In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about voting in Washington, D.C. Whether you plan to vote by mail, use a drop box, or cast your ballot in person, we’ll help you make a plan to vote with confidence. Host Amber Taylor, Strategic Communications Director, is joined by Alicia Yass, Policy Advocacy Director, to discuss responses from candidates who completed the ACLU of D.C.’s primary election questionnaire and what voters should know heading into the election.
We also speak with Brandon Bush-Thompson of the League of Women Voters of DC about ranked-choice voting, how it works in D.C., and practical guidance to help voters cast their ballots successfully.