Our Founder

Venkayla Haynes is a dedicated organizer and change-maker whose life’s work is grounded in lived experience and a deep commitment to movement building. For more than a decade, she has championed the rights of marginalized communities impacted by sexual violence, police brutality, voter suppression, homelessness, gentrification, and more.

 

Her activism has taken her into K–12 classrooms and university campuses nationwide, where she has led initiatives in educational programming, community outreach, digital organizing, strategic marketing, content creation, and partnership development. She has influenced systems at every level, collaborating with school administrators, informing policy conversations with local and statewide officials, and advocating for survivors of violence in settings ranging from small-group discussions to national conferences. Her work has resonated at institutions such as the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Eastern Michigan University, Morehouse College, Emory University, and Stanford Law School, establishing her as a trusted voice in the national dialogue on safety, justice, and survivor empowerment.

 

Collaboration is central to her approach. Venkayla has partnered with local and national organizations, grassroots networks, and public figures to build initiatives rooted in healing, equity, and action. As Director of Communications at Black Voters Matter, she shapes the organization’s public narrative and uplifts Black communities through strategic communications, strong movement infrastructure, and direct support for grassroots partners across the country. Her work has been recognized by leaders including former Vice President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama, and honored by Forbes, the NBA, NBC News, and others for her contributions to social justice. After years on the frontlines, Venkayla recognized how transformative strategic storytelling can be and how often nonprofits lack communications partners who understand the urgency and realities of movement work. Too many organizations driving change go unheard, their impact diluted by limited messaging capacity and inadequate advocacy tools.

 

She created EH Strategies to change that. Named in honor of her father, Edwin Haynes, whose life embodied strength, compassion, and purpose—the agency was built to close this gap. Venkayla believes nonprofits deserve partners who truly understand the stakes and can translate lived experience into compelling narratives that drive engagement and results. EH Strategies amplifies the work of mission-driven leaders and organizations, blending creative strategy with proven communications expertise to spark change, build momentum, and ensure vital voices are not lost.