# Tarrah Cooper Wright

> Tarrah Cooper Wright is the Chicago-based CEO and founder of Rise Strategy Group, a communications and public affairs firm founded in 2016. A journalism graduate and former television reporter, she worked on the 2008 Obama-Biden campaign, in the Department of Homeland Security and as press secretary to Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel before moving into consulting. Her civic work includes museum governance and developing Black public affairs leadership.

- **Role:** CEO and Founder at Rise Strategy Group
- **Organizations:** Rise Strategy Group, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Black Bench Chicago, Loyola University Chicago Council of Regents, Economic Club of Chicago, Business Leadership Council, National Association of Black Journalists, Chicago Club, Mercury (former), Office of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel (former), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (former), Obama-Biden presidential campaign (2008), KOMU-NBC 8 (former), Breakthrough Urban Ministries (former board chair), Illinois Sports Facilities Authority
- **Education:** Journalism; graduated cum laude, University of Missouri-Columbia
- **Known for:** Graduated cum laude in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia., Handled communications for major Chicago events including the 2012 NATO Summit and 2015 NFL Draft., Founded and leads Rise Strategy Group.

## Career timeline

- **—** — Began her career as a general assignment reporter at KOMU-NBC 8 in Columbia, Missouri.
- **2008** — Worked on the Obama-Biden presidential campaign in Florida, organizing community leaders and volunteers.
- **—** — Worked in the Obama administration at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security before joining Emanuel’s campaign.
- **2010** — Joined Rahm Emanuel’s Chicago mayoral campaign as deputy press secretary.
- **2011** — Became press secretary to Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel; her official biography describes five years in the role.
- **—** — Served as managing director at Mercury’s Chicago office before founding Rise.
- **2016** — Founded Rise Strategy Group with Tara Swords, according to the Cook County Land Bank Authority’s 2019 announcement.
- **2019** — Rise and Rudd Resources were selected as agencies of record for the Cook County Land Bank Authority.
- **2020** — Joined Stephanie Izard for the Chicago #ShareTheMicNow initiative.
- **2022** — Illinois Senate confirmed her appointment to the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority on March 28.
- **2026** — Coordinated Jesse Jackson homegoing events with Alexandra Sims-Jones; listed as MCA Chicago trustee secretary as of June 30.

## Achievements

- Graduated cum laude in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
- Handled communications for major Chicago events including the 2012 NATO Summit and 2015 NFL Draft.
- Founded and leads Rise Strategy Group.
- Included in Better’s 2023 feature on ten Chicago Black women of impact.
- Serves as secretary of the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago’s trustees, listed June 30, 2026.

## Latest updates

- **2026-06** — MCA Chicago’s leadership list, dated June 30, identifies her as secretary of its trustees.
- **2026-03** — Coverage dated March 6 identifies her and Alexandra Sims-Jones as coordinators of Jesse Jackson’s homegoing events; the Illinois governor’s schedule lists her as the media RSVP contact.

## Links

- Website: https://www.risestrategygroup.com/tarrah-cooper-wright
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarrah-cooper-wright-5b665a57

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/tarrah-cooper-wright
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-24