"The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman."
- Malcolm X
Inspiration.
About La'Tasha
The leader of the great deed is a woman!
Leader. Visionary. Organizer. Politico. Speaker.
La'Tasha D. Mayes, MSPPM is a nationally recognized leader in the field of Reproductive Justice, Human Rights and leadership development for Black women and girls. La'Tasha is the Founder and Executive Director of New Voices for Reproductive Justice, a multi-state organization in Pennsylvania and Ohio dedicated to the health and well-being of Black women, femmes and girls headquartered in Pittsburgh with offices in Cleveland and Philadelphia.
New Voices advocates at the local, state and national level for Reproductive Justice - the Human Right of all people to control their bodies, sexuality, gender, work, reproduction and ability to form our families. New Voices celebrates its 18th anniversary this year having served 200,000+ Black women, femmes, girls and gender-expansive folx, women of color and LGBTQ+ people of color through New Voices Pittsburgh, New Voices Cleveland and New Voices Philadelphia. In January 2015, New Voices co-launched the national policy initiative, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda, as a founding partner.
La’Tasha is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and she earned a Master of Science in Public Policy and Management at the Heinz School of Carnegie Mellon University. La'Tasha served on the Board of Directors of the Groundswell Fund - the largest funder of Reproductive Justice and women of color - and she completed a second term on the Pennsylvania Governor's Advisory Commission on African American Affairs ending in 2021. La'Tasha is past National Board Chair of SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective - the largest Human Rights advocacy group for Indigenous women and women of color based in Atlanta.
La'Tasha has served the Pittsburgh community as an inaugural Allegheny County Human Relations Commission Vice Chair, Social Action Chair of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. - Pittsburgh Alumnae Chapter and President of the Urban League Young Professionals of Greater Pittsburgh. La'Tasha has received numerous honors including the 2022 She Can Win Building Bridges Award, 2021 KYW Newsradio GameChanger Award, 2018 ATHENA Award nomination, 2017 NAACP East Boroughs Phenomenal Woman Social Justice Award and 2016 Coro Center for Civic Leadership Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Alumni Award. La'Tasha also completed the Rockwood Leadership Institute Reproductive Health, Rights and Justice Fellowship in 2016, the Executive Program for Social Impact Strategy at the University of Pennsylvania in 2019 and the Higher Heights Senior Leadership Fellowship in 2021.
In 2017, La'Tasha was published in the books, "Reproductive Justice: An Introduction" by Loretta J. Ross and Rickie Solinger (University of California Press), "Radical Reproductive Anthology" by Loretta J. Ross (Feminist Press), Lynn Roberts et al and in the In Our Own Voice Policy Report, "Our Bodies, Our Lives, Our Voices: The State of Black Women and Reproductive Justice" with her article, "Building the Next Generation of Black Reproductive Justice Leaders." La'Tasha has been published and featured in numerous media platforms including ColorLines, Essence Magazine, NBCNews.com, Rewire, Slate Magazine, The Nation and Time.com.
In the Pennsylvania Primary Election 2015, La'Tasha ran for Pittsburgh City Council - District 7 and earned 35% of the vote against an incumbent in her first major campaign for elected public office. La'Tasha is a passionate Reproductive Justice activist, native of West Philadelphia and believes in the indefatigable spirit of women.
Follow La'Tasha on Social Media: @duxfemfac | #LaTashaDMayes
In the News
Read about La'Tasha in the news!
La'Tasha D. Mayes for State Rep
I'm officially throwing my hat in the ring!
(January 19, 2022) Good Morning Everyone! I have an exciting announcement to make. I wanted to share that I am featured in the Pittsburgh City Paper's latest issue because I am running for Pennsylvania State Rep. in the 24th Legislative District! (Mayor Ed Gainey formerly served in this seat).
I have decided to throw my hat in the ring because, "We need leadership at this time that can weather the storm, [both] the political storm that's always going on in Harrisburg and the storm of these political times where we are boldly confronting race, gender, and class injustice and oppression."
There will be more information to come in early February -- along with ways you can follow and support this journey -- so please stay tuned!
#LDMayesPA24 #MayesForPA24 #NextPhaseWithMayes #BlackWomenRun #TrustBlackWomen #Pittsburgh
Speaking Engagements
Never miss a dynamic and electrifying keynote, speech or talk from La'Tasha!
Spring 2022 Speaking Engagements
MORE DATES COMING SOON!
To book La'Tasha for Spring and Summer,
email duxfemfac@gmail.com.
UPCOMING SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Stay tuned for more dates.
PAST SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
All Access 2016
Allegheny County Health Department All-for-One Conference
Center for Reproductive Rights
Clean Air Collaborative
Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference
Coro Center for Civic Leadership
Groundswell Fund
Gwen's Girls
In Our Own Voice:
National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda
Higher Heights for America
Kinks, Locks & Twists:
Environmental and Reproductive Justice Conference
Masculine of Center Conference
NARAL Pro-Choice America
NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio
Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics
Pennsylvania National Organization for Women
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective
The Afiya Center
The Heinz Endowments / Clean Air Collaborative
The Heinz Endowments / p4 Conference
The Pittsburgh Foundation
THRIVE
Trapped Film Screening
Urban Kind Institute
University of Pittsburgh / Campus Women's Organization
University of Pittsburgh / Department of Geology & Environmental Studies
University of Pittsburgh / Graduate School of Public Health
University of Pittsburgh / Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies
University of Pittsburgh / School of Law
Women and Girls Foundation
Women's Donor Network
Women's Health Conversations
Women of Color HERStory Month
Women's Voices for the Earth
WORDPLAY
WURD Radio
Speaking Topics
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Reproductive Justice
Human Rights
Sexual & Reproductive Health
Black Women's Health
Black Girls' Health
Black Feminism
Black Women's Lives Matter
Women of Color and the New American Majority
Women Running for Elected Office
Building a Social Justice Movement
LGBTQ+ Rights
Affordable Care Act / Health Care Access
Ending Gender-Based Violence
Incarceration
Environmental Justice
Leadership Development
Community Organizing
Public Policy Advocacy
Executive Directors Anonymous
Starting a Non-Profit from the Ground Up
The Black Joy Sabbatical
Social Media, Communications & Non-Profits
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Featured Video
Take a look and enjoy!
I AM A VOTER
Campaign
October 10, 2018
#MIDTERMSMATTER
August 26, 2018
La'Tasha Speaks at Pittsburgh Vigil for #Orlando Shooting
June 12, 2016
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"Neither hate nor terrorism can deny the Human Right to exist." La'Tasha served as MC for the City-Wide Candlelight Vigil for Orlando Victims organized by The Pittsburgh Clergy Consortium. This gathering brought 2,000 people to Downtown Pittsburgh to mourn the lives lost in the Pulse Nightclub shooting. La'Tasha and other LGBTQ leaders met with U.S. Senator Bob Casey regarding the Hate Crimes Protection Act he introduced as well as his support for the Equality Act.
Copyright 2015-2018