Shaniqua McClendon’s journey from rural North Carolina to the forefront of political strategy and media advocacy is a powerful story of purpose, commitment, and impact—one that began with INROADS.

While studying at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Shaniqua completed her first INROADS internship in 2006 as a bank teller with RBC Centura Bank (now PNC). Through her internship experience, Shaniqua built critical skills in communication, customer service, and problem-solving. “INROADS was my first professional development opportunity,” she recalls. “It taught me how to remain calm while helping people resolve their frustrations,” a foundational lesson for her future career in politics. In her second INROADS internship role as a Market Research and Analysis intern with RBC Centura Bank, Shaniqua was responsible for identifying trends that revealed what was effective, what wasn’t, and where strategic interventions were needed. That analytical approach is how she now views politics overall—whether crafting policy or working to win an election.

Shaniqua’s path was shaped by early life experiences, including witnessing the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and the historic election of President Barack Obama. Those pivotal moments ignited her understanding of how policy directly affects communities like her own. According to an article featuring Shaniqua in Essence Magazine, she started to see that “growing up poor was a byproduct of decisions made by elected officials.” It was then that she became passionate about politics, rooted in a firm belief that policy is a way to improve people’s lives.

After graduating from UNC’s School of Media and Journalism with a degree in journalism and public relations, and a BS in business administration from UNC’s Keenan Flagler School of Business, Shaniqua went on to earn her Master’s Degree in public policy from Harvard Kennedy School.

Her career in public service began with roles including a White House internship during the Obama presidency, policy aide for U.S. Senator Kay Hagan, and legislative director for Congresswoman Alma S. Adams—where she helped launch the bipartisan HBCU Caucus. She has also been a Spring Fellow at the USC Center for the Political Future.

Today, Shaniqua serves as Vice President of Political Strategy at Crooked Media, a media network that showcases stories, voices, and opportunities for activism that inform, entertain, and inspire action. There, she leverages her expertise to influence public discourse and drive impactful change. In her role, Shaniqua created Vote Save America, a groundbreaking civic engagement program that has mobilized over 600,000 volunteers and raised more than $57 million to support grassroots organizations and voter outreach, according to Essence Magazine. Her strategy emphasizes long-term partnerships with community-based organizations, not just election-cycle involvement.

Shaniqua’s accolades speak to her dedication and impact. She has received the inaugural Anthem Awards Leader of the Year Award for Human and Civil Rights and the prestigious Robert F. Kennedy Award for Excellence in Public Service from Harvard Kennedy School for her capstone on pro-voter policies in North Carolina.

Throughout her career journey, Shaniqua McClendon has never lost sight of her roots—or her purpose. Shaniqua’s path lights the way forward for the next generation: lead with purpose, build meaningful relationships, and never underestimate the power of using your voice to create lasting change.