From Public Policy to Community Engagement
Hi everyone!
My name is Kayla Joyner, the newest member of Perch’s team, specializing in community engagement. But let me rewind a bit. In 2023, I earned my BA in international relations and political science, however, I soon found myself on a career path that was quite different from what I envisioned during my college years…
Throughout my college career, my focus was primarily on researching and writing about global issues, from the complexities of world democracies and humanitarian crises to the intricacies of foreign affairs and public policies. During my junior year, I was fortunate to land an internship at a respected lobbying firm in Washington D.C.. Suddenly, I was navigating the world of federal politics, dreaming of a future on Capitol Hill. But life had other plans…
My trajectory took an unexpected turn when I secured my next internship at a NYC-based lobbying and public relations firm. Here, my focus shifted to the dynamic landscape of NYC and NYS politics, where I immersed myself in monitoring New York City Council hearings and tracking local legislation. This was a major shift from my prior role, which solely focused on monitoring federal legislation and U.S. elected officials. My new position felt much more personal, as I faced issues directly impacting New York City daily, such as homelessness, substance abuse, and climate change. Contrasting my experiences in D.C., where I monitored congressional hearings on bills with long timelines for passage, the immediacy of local politics was palpable. Despite initial disillusionment with the slow pace of federal change, my time at the NYC firm illuminated the impactful strides achievable in local governance.
I spent nearly two years interning at this firm, specializing in public policy and government relations. Over this time, my role underwent significant changes. Being the sole intern (we’ve all been there, haven’t we?), I found myself frequently assigned to random tasks unrelated to my actual role. But hey, experience is experience, right? The tasks began with managing significant databases full of “AVs,” “BBLs,” and other terms I didn’t understand. My supervisor eventually clarified that these databases were for something called a “BID.” Luckily, at the time, I was enrolled in a NYC Politics class, where we analyzed Samuel Stein’s book, Capital City: Gentrification and the Real Estate State, which included an extensive section on the history and purpose of BIDs.
As my supervisor required additional help with their BID projects, I found myself regularly attending Steering Committee meetings and working on other BID-related projects. Gradually, as I became more involved, I began to grasp the positive impact BIDs had on communities. Alongside this experience, I was collaborating with a client deeply committed to their community, which was truly inspiring. Witnessing their genuine care of businesses, residents, and the community opened my eyes to the potential for meaningful impact in community engagement. It became clear that I could make a far greater difference in this field than I ever could in Washington.
Joining Perch Advisors has been an incredible opportunity for me to advocate for positive change and contribute to building stronger, more vibrant communities. From navigating the complexities of federal politics to immersing myself in the world of local governance, I’ve come to realize the profound impact that grassroots efforts can have on shaping our communities.
