Sharday Urtarte

Sharday Urtarte is a Dominican Communication Strategist from the South Bronx, operating at the intersection of digital communications, political campaigning, and community organizing. A graduate of The Ohio State University with a degree in Strategic Communications, she leads transformative initiatives at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, championing Black and Latina maternal health within the reproductive rights movement. She spearheaded Planned Parenthood's 2022 midterm "Get Out the Vote" campaign and led Apple’s WARD (We’re Against Racism and Discrimination) Program, reflecting her commitment to civic engagement and equity.

Sharday has presented at Planned Parenthood’s Development Officers Council (DOC) Conference and the Association of Donor Relations Professionals (ADRP), demonstrating expertise in social media engagement and inclusive donor communications. Her advocacy also extends to empowering incarcerated women through her collaboration with the Frederick Douglass Foundation.

As Chair of the National Black Association Employees Relations Group, Sharday fosters workplace inclusion and advocates for marginalized communities. She authored the Abortion Rights & Black Maternal Health Civic Engagement Initiative for the National Urban League Young Professionals, impacting over 10,000 members nationwide. Her leadership earned her a place in the 2024-2025 National Urban League Congressional Advocacy Program cohort and the 2024 New York County Democratic Committee Independent Screening Panel.

Recognized as a 2024 Memorial Foundation Social Justice Fellow and a graduate of Georgetown University's Emerging Leaders Program, Sharday leverages communication and grassroots organizing to drive meaningful change, believing that community-led efforts are the key to achieving equity and justice for all.

Writing Samples

1. Original Piece: The Power of Names: A Sign of Leadership and Inclusion

Published on: Linkedin

2. Original Piece: The Sacrifices Women Make for Systemic Change

Published on: Linkedin

Conference: State of Young Black New York (SOYBNY)

The State of Young Black New York (SOYBNY) conference, held on June 22, 2024, at the New Settlement Community Center, was a powerful event designed to amplify voices and shape futures. Organized by Sharday Urtarte, the Civics & Economics Chair of the New York Urban League Young Professionals, the conference provided a dynamic platform for young Black New Yorkers to engage in important conversations about mental well-being, intersectionality, and the critical need for political participation in the 2024 elections.

Workshop Facilitator: Leading with Equity and Inclusion in Donor Communications

Sharday Urtarte co-facilitated a 2-hour workshop at the Association of Donor Relations Professionals titled "Leading with Equity and Inclusion in Donor Communications" where she shared her expertise on fostering inclusive and equitable donor relations within nonprofit communications. Watch the video of the session here. As the organizer, Sharday Urtarte took the lead in encouraging participants to take immediate action—urging them to engage in the political process, register to vote, and become active advocates for change in their communities. Her leadership and powerful message underscored the importance of collective action in shaping a better future for all.

Interviews

Illmatic Podcast: Surviving Beats, Overcoming Breaks: Dear Momma

In this episode of the Illmatic Podcast, Sharday Urtarte, a dedicated community activist and advocate for Black maternal health, shares her poignant story of growing up with an incarcerated mother. Together, we explore how these formative experiences influenced her life's journey and fueled her passion for advocacy.

Interview conducted by Louis L. Reed.