Reynolds Graves is a seasoned public affairs and government relations executive, lobbyist, and political strategist based in Boston, Massachusetts. As the founder and CEO of The Graves Group, he leads a team that develops and executes lobbying, communications, and public affairs strategies for clients across industries and all levels of government.

Reynolds’ career in politics began at Hampton University, where in 2007 he founded Students for Barack Obama — a pioneering campus organization that mobilized volunteers across Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina and helped lay the groundwork for President Obama’s historic campaign. While still in college, he also served as a strategic advisor on several Virginia General Assembly campaigns, deepening his experience in grassroots organizing and local politics.

Since moving to Massachusetts, Reynolds has been an operative and strategist on winning campaigns for District and At-Large Boston City Council seats, the Massachusetts State Senate, County Sheriff, and District Attorney, as well as on ballot initiatives and independent expenditure efforts. In 2021, he was tapped to launch Harvard Professor Danielle Allen’s campaign for Governor of Massachusetts, leading early strategy, infrastructure, and outreach.

Over the course of his career, Reynolds has held leadership roles in government and advocacy at every level — including in The Obama White House, the administration of Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, the Mayor of Boston’s Office, the Boston City Council, the U.S. Congress, and the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Egypt. He has also served at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law in Washington, D.C.

Growing up in a family that made history in elected politics in Virginia, Reynolds was inspired from an early age to continue that legacy by helping elect the next generation of Black leadership to state and local office. His passion for local leadership and his commitment to increasing the diversity of representation in politics led him to found the 1866 Action Fund in 2023 — a Massachusetts-based Super PAC dedicated to supporting and electing Black candidates to state and local office.