Black History Month is the perfect time to learn about Nastasha Raisley, a powerful person who is making a substantial difference in our community. Nastasha Raisley has a full plate of responsibilities that she manages brilliantly and a full-to-bursting heart that compassionately addresses some of the most important issues of our time.
She describes herself as “really energetic and full of life, fun, dedicated, protective and always cheering on the people I love and believe in. I’m outgoing, outspoken and don’t shy away from anything. I lead with passion and purpose and am relentless.”
Her family brings her joy and are among the most important reasons she stepped onto the path that inexorably led to where she is now.
Raisley tells a story from her childhood, growing up in New Jersey. She had an eye-opening experience when she was somewhere between 10 and 12 as she recalls. It was Election Day, and a friend of her grandfather named Bud Simmons was running for office as the first Black person to be on the ballot for that role. Mr. Simmons served as the first Black police officer for the Borough of Roselle, as well as the first Black police commissioner. He also served as a Roselle councilman, council president, so Raisley was in fine company.
She says, “My grandfather’s friend paid me to hand out literature at the polling place. Some adults came out and told me to leave. I remained the appropriate distance away from the entrance. The next thing I know, police cars pulled up. One officer talked to me and asked me where I lived. My grandfather’s friend showed up right at that time and was protective of me. He went off on the cops. I had never seen that; Black men speaking to police officers that way.” She was allowed to stay.
That inspired her to stand up for the rights of others who might not have a voice.
The last time I saw her was at a beautifully blended winter holiday celebration at the Mercer in Doylestown where Kwanzaa and Hanukkah overlapped and were feted together. Raisley shared that she grew up celebrating Jewish holidays because her mother worked at a Jewish Y and felt a deep connection to Jewish culture. Raisley attended day care there and learned rituals and prayers. She recited a perfectly accented version of the blessing over the Shabbos candles during the interview.
Her grandfather was one of her earliest role models for social justice activism. He created a summer golf program for children in the area. She hated waking up early in the morning and going there with him but discovered that what was once a chore became a window into the world in which she now thrives.
“He listened to talk radio in the car, and they were often talking about politics. We would have conversations about what was being said. He would then share stories about inequities in the world.”
Raisley now listens to talk radio in her car. She has learned about fighting for what she believes in. Strong Black women like Michelle Obama inspire her to continue that fight, as well as local leaders like Linda Bobrin.
DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives are on shaky ground as a result of the values of the new administration. Raisley shared ideas for community members to continue to reinforce the values of DEI.
She says that we should, “properly define it. I think people don’t know what it is. It is not putting unqualified people in jobs. It is about putting qualified people in and leveling the playing field. We need to recognize inequalities around it and take steps to correct it in hiring and in our circles. We all benefit from it. It is not just Black people who need to know. If you are in a position to give someone an opportunity, do it. Educate about what DEI is and what it isn’t.”
Raisley is the Director of Partnerships for the Voter Project Fund, which she describes as “a non-partisan, non-profit organization. The goal is to be sure that all registered Pennsylvanians get to vote. The focus in the 140th District in Bucks County Special Election in 2024 was 18–43-year-olds. Show Up Strong’s goal was to amplify and empower the voice of a generation. We held fun events including concerts, basketball games, free manicures, and food in a local strip mall. A band performed. We asked people if they were registered and if they weren’t we helped them to register. There was a concert at Snipes Farm in Morrisville. A few hundred people were there. This increased voter turnout.”
She adds, “That role ended in November, so I am looking for my next opportunity to do my work in the world.”
Raisley is an elected committee member in Falls Township, and volunteer coordinator. She is the Director of DEI for the Bucks County Democratic Committee, as well as taking her place on Falls Township Zoning Board and as Chair of Bucks County Young Democrats.
Much of her time is spent working with the NAACP, which she learned about while in college. “I just needed to do something to make a difference. They fight for Civil Rights and Racial Justice, which I am passionate about. I first got involved as a member and became increasingly actively involved. I wanted to do more and got elected as the chair of their Political Action Committee. One thing I am proud of and will continue doing is registering voters in the Bucks County Jail.”
I had noticed something on her Facebook page where she said that she was just trying to save the world which is an admirable intention. I wondered how she handled disappointment when she didn’t quite reach that goal.
She laughed and explained, “I captioned it that way because I took a picture with Don Cheadle and Mark Ruffalo while I was working for the Voter Project. They played superheroes, ‘War Machine’ and ‘The Hulk’ in the film Avengers: Infinity War. With all my activism I am trying to take steps to change the world, literally. When I don’t quite make it, I cry and just keep going. I have to. I have done this my entire life. I’m used to disappointment. My kids are my motivation. My oldest is 22. The others are 12, 7 and 5.”
READ: A New Era of Leadership for Bucks County’s NAACP Begins: Adrienne King’s Vision for Equity and Unity
She told a story about an experience her 22-year-old had that could have turned out in an entirely different way. “He left his house and immediately got stopped by the cops. He called me and I asked him for his location and told him to stay on the phone.”
The reason for the stop was a light that was out on his car. He was able to return home safely which she is grateful for, but this isn’t the case for other mothers of Black men.
Raisley shared ideas for helping Bucks County and the country as a whole face the challenges ahead including action steps and self-care ideas.
She says, “After November, I have traveled. Self-care for me would be to take a break and take a step back and then get back to it. We can turn the grief and pain we are feeling into action. Join groups and causes you believe in. Be an advocate. Be in community. Perhaps we can change things in our individual relationships by having open conversations. I am going to continue helping Bucks County by not shying away from things and keep showing up and volunteering.”
Raisley adds, “I am an eternal optimist. I know change doesn’t come easily and setbacks come with the territory. I believe that the work I am doing is helping to move the ball toward social justice.”
She invites people to join NAACP to help them continue to make a positive difference in the world.
