hero background image

Blair Wriston

Senior Government Affairs Manager

Blair serves as senior government affairs manager, working alongside the director of government affairs and other members of the partnerships and engagement team to develop and execute The Education Trust’s equity agenda at both the federal and state level. In this role, he helps advance the organization’s legislative, regulatory, and advocacy strategy across early childhood, P-12, and higher education, helping to improve the lives and educational outcomes of our nation’s most vulnerable students.

Prior to joining The Education Trust, Blair worked on Capitol Hill for nearly five years in the office of U.S. Representative A. Donald McEachin (D-VA), where, as senior policy advisor, he managed a diverse legislative portfolio. Before that, Blair served as deputy finance director for then-Virginia State Senator A. Donald McEachin’s successful bid for Congress in 2016.

A native of Richmond, Virginia, Blair holds a bachelor’s degree in government from the University of Virginia.

What are people most surprised to learn about you?

Growing up, my dad had a goal for my brothers and me to climb the highest mountain in every state. I’ve currently climbed over 40!

Why are you passionate about working at Ed Trust?

The Education Trust is a fierce and tireless advocate for improving the lives and educational outcomes of every student, particularly our nation’s most vulnerable. During my time on Capitol Hill, I was fortunate enough to work alongside The Education Trust and others to protect the civil rights of students, particularly students of color and students with disabilities, and I am extremely excited to continue that work and more.

Blair Wriston

Author Archives

Introducing Our Graduate Student Advisory Council

April 11, 2024 by Blair Wriston, Jiaxin Jessie Wang

Announcing the formation of our Graduate Student Advisory Council to support our work on race, disability, and equity.

Focusing on the Intersection of Race, Disability, and Equity

April 11, 2024 by Jiaxin Jessie Wang, Blair Wriston

EdTrust announces a yearlong line of work on race, disability, and equity that will cover students of color in special education.

How Mental Health Supports Impact Social, Emotional, and Academic Development (SEAD)

September 27, 2023 by Blair Wriston, Nancy Duchesneau, Manny Zapata

Millions of students across the country, especially students of color, students from low-income backgrounds, and students with disabilities, lack access to critical school-based mental health services.

How School Discipline Impacts Students’ Social, Emotional and, Academic Development (SEAD)

April 06, 2023 by Blair Wriston, Nancy Duchesneau

Last year, Mississippi schools used corporal punishment 4,300 times — and the impact affects more than the students experiencing…

Learning Honest History Isn’t Criminal — It’s What Students Deserve to Know

February 08, 2022 by Blair Wriston

Amid the debate surrounding so-called Critical Race Theory (CRT), Republican lawmakers in 37 states have introduced legislation or taken significant steps to limit an educator’s ability to discuss race and…