A Farewell to Aja Taylor: Reflecting on 12 Years of Advocacy and Change

As Bread for the City bids farewell to our Advocacy Director, Aja Taylor, we celebrate not just her remarkable contributions to our organization but also the DC community and beyond. After 12 years of tireless leadership, Aja is stepping down, leaving behind a legacy that has shaped both our advocacy efforts and the larger movement for social justice in our nation’s capital. We sat down with Aja to capture her reflections.

Q: You’ve been with Bread for the City for 12 years. What has this experience meant to you?

Aja: It’s been transformative. When I joined Bread for the City, I knew I wanted to make an impact, but I didn’t realize how much I would grow personally and professionally. Advocacy here isn’t just about policy or protests—it’s about building relationships, centering community voices, and creating systems that allow people to thrive.

I’ve always believed that organizing is relational. It’s about showing up for people, building trust, and sharing power. That’s what I’ve tried to bring to Bread for the City.



Q: What are some of the accomplishments you’re most proud of during your time here?

Aja: One of my biggest joys has been bridging the gap between our direct services and advocacy work. At Bread for the City, we provide wraparound services—helping people access food, housing, healthcare, and more—but it’s also essential that we empower them to advocate for systemic change.

I’m proud of the campaigns we’ve organized, the coalitions we’ve built, and the ways we’ve shown that advocacy can be accessible and impactful for everyone. Seeing community members step into leadership roles and fight for the changes they deserve—that’s the work that makes my heart sing.

Q: You’ve talked about the importance of joy in organizing. Can you share more about that?

Aja: Joy is essential. Advocacy can be heavy—it’s about tackling big, systemic issues like affordable housing, healthcare, and racial justice. But in the midst of it all, we have to find joy.

For me, joy comes from the relationships we build and the victories we achieve, no matter how small. It’s in the laughter during a late-night strategy meeting or the celebration when a policy change comes through. Joy sustains us in this work, and it reminds us why we fight for justice in the first place.

 

 

Q: What has influenced your approach to organizing over the years?

Aja: Science fiction has been a huge inspiration for me. Organizing requires an immense amount of imagination—you have to envision a future that doesn’t yet exist and then work to make it real.

Books like Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler and Liberated to the Bone by Susan Raffo have shaped how I think about resilience, community, and the possibilities of collective action. They’ve taught me that even in the face of impossible odds, we can build something beautiful together.

Q: What are your hopes for the future of advocacy at Bread for the City?

Aja: My hope is that Bread for the City continues to center power-sharing and leadership development. We’ve built a strong foundation, but there’s so much more to do.

I want to see our advocacy work resourced in ways that truly support community organizing. That means trusting the communities we serve, providing them with more of the tools they need, and continuing to stand alongside them as they lead the fight for change.

 

 

Q: What’s next for you?

Aja: I’m transitioning out of Bread for the City to focus on my consultancy work with Two Brown Girls and my role on the board of BOLD (Black Organizing for Leadership and Dignity). These spaces allow me to continue supporting justice-centered work while exploring new ways to build collective power.

Q: Any parting words for the Bread for the City community?

Aja: Thank you. I’ve learned so much from the people I’ve worked with, from our clients to my colleagues to our community partners. Bread for the City is a special place because it’s about more than services—it’s about relationships, trust, and the belief that we can create a better world together.

While I’m stepping away, I know the advocacy work here is in incredible hands. This is not goodbye; it’s “see you soon.” I’ll always be cheering Bread for the City on from wherever I am.

Aja’s Legacy

As Aja Taylor moves on to new endeavors, her impact will continue to resonate throughout Bread for the City. Her leadership has transformed our approach to advocacy and inspired countless community members to find their voices and fight for justice.

Thank you, Aja, for 12 years of visionary leadership. We look forward to carrying your work forward and honoring the legacy you’ve built.

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