You may think you know him from TV, stage, or radio, but in the years since he came to the public eye Clay Aiken has learned his voice makes people listen.
After rising to success as a singer back in 2003, Clay quickly discovered that his newfound fame and the platform that came with it could be used to bring attention to the needs of those who couldn’t always fight for themselves. A trained special educator and longtime advocate for children with disabilities, Clay used his national attention to start what would become the National Inclusion Project, an organization with a mission to train and assist youth programs in making their environments and activities welcoming and accessible for children with disabilities. Since its founding in 2003, the National Inclusion Project has become the national leader in promoting inclusion of children with disabilities into programs alongside their non-disabled peers. Under Clay’s guidance as chairman, the organization has provided resources, training and accreditation for afterschool programs, summer camps, community centers and municipal parks and recreation departments in over 35 states.
It’s that same passion for speaking up for those who aren’t able to that led UNICEF to appoint Clay as their Goodwill Ambassador for education and child protection — a position he served in for a decade. During his time as ambassador, Clay worked on behalf of the organization in Indonesia, Uganda, Afghanistan, Mexico, Kenya, and Somalia, assisting programs that protected and educated children in areas devastated by both wars and natural disasters.
A lifelong resident of North Carolina’s 4th District, Clay is ready to use his voice for the people of his home to deliver on the policies his constituents and those around the country so desperately need – from stopping climate change, systemic racism, income inequality and gun violence, to securing voting rights, free health care, and a woman’s right to choose. Congress has stopped listening – it’s time to send a new voice…
America must modernize its social policies. With the demands of a 21st century economy and the reality working families face, the fact is, too many Americans are forced to make difficult decisions between raising a child or caring for their family and their livelihoods. To support North Carolina families, Clay will use his voice to:
The stock market isn’t the only indicator of a strong economy. In America today we still have far too many people who are unable to find a job where they can support themselves and their family. That’s why investing in our workforce, lowering inflation, and creating opportunities for good-paying jobs is a top priority. To empower North Carolina’s workers, Clay will:
It still holds true that education is one of the best investments that can be made. But today, American investment in primary and secondary education is failing to set our students up for success, and the cost of higher education is unattainable for many and overly burdensome for almost all. To fulfill our promise to better educate North Carolina’s students, Clay will fight to:
Americans enjoy freedoms that citizens of other countries envy, but our nation’s past is filled with too many acts of racism, misogyny and bigotry; and our present is still healing from the scars. We are taught that America was founded on the principle of equality and opportunity, but for too many – especially women, Black, brown, and LGBT Americans – those promises remain unfulfilled. We must act to protect the lives and the liberties of ALL people, not just the privileged. To protect North Carolinian’s rights, Clay will speak up to:
The United States has the most advanced medical treatments and research in the whole world. Yet, far too many Americans don’t have access to basic healthcare needs. We’ve become far too comfortable with this obvious failure. To secure healthcare for North Carolinians, Clay will use his voice to:
Climate change is an existential threat that cannot continue to be ignored. The fact is, carbon neutral is both a necessity and the future of the global economy. The United States needs to lead it. To protect North Carolina’s environment and rescue the planet, Clay will speak up to:
America needs to continue its role in the world as the defender of freedom and democracy. Congress should insist upon a diplomacy first approach and work with our allies to cooperate on the world stage and promote our shared values. To help promote democracy and strengthen America’s leadership role in the world, Clay will encourage Congress to: