Whitney Bunts

Senior Director of Public Policy

Pronouns: she/her

Whitney is the Senior Director of Public Policy at True Colors United. Before joining the True Colors United family, she was a policy analyst at the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), where she worked on an array of issues such as Mental health, Education Justice, workforce development, and juvenile justice. Whitney led the decriminalization efforts at the organization to eradicate carceral and white supremacist structures that permeate through Black and Brown communities. She developed and led a coalition of over 20 members that continues to advocate for a transformed mental health system that does not involve the criminal legal system and law enforcement but creates a safe, accessible, developmentally appropriate, and equitable space for all young people. Moreover, Whitney has provided technical assistance to states and localities, sat on several advisory groups and task forces, and published nationally recognized reports and articles. Additionally, she was selected to participate in the 2021-2022 Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP), where she gained extensive knowledge about leadership and education policy. Whitney is passionate about leveraging policy to shift narratives and dismantle systems that harm marginalized communities.

Whitney was born and raised in Muskegon, MI. She is an alum of Clark Atlanta University, Georgia State University, and Washington University in St. Louis. When Whitney is not working, she enjoys exercising, spending time with friends, traveling, and watching movies. She currently resides in Chicago, IL, with her dog Denali.