Kate Starks brings a diverse background of legal research and advocacy, education, and the arts to her role at The Opportunity Agenda, where she supports the advancement team with research and strategy.
Prior to joining TOA, Kate served for seven years as a paralegal in Akron, Ohio, focusing on research and appellate work for incarcerated youth and adults. She also provided administrative assistance to the local legal aid office for immigration support. Her firsthand exposure to the systemic inequities within the court and prison systems became a driving force behind her commitment to social justice and equity. Kate deeply understands the critical role narrative plays in shaping perceptions of justice, influencing policy, and humanizing those most impacted by these systems.
Kate also has experience in educational and mental health programming. She supported initiatives at a local wellness center, with a focus on alternatives to incarceration, and worked closely with the LeBron James I PROMISE School as a trainer, where she assisted teachers in implementing innovative learning strategies. She also supported families with scholarship applications, IEP management, and securing essential student accommodations.
When she is not working, Kate finds deep gratitude and inspiration in the vibrant arts communities of Cleveland and Akron—a creative home where theater, dance, juggling, and movement-based art forms become powerful tools for storytelling, connection, and activism. To Kate, creative expression and skill-sharing are not just acts of art but acts of care—pathways to healing, understanding, and autonomy. During the summer months, Kate volunteers with the Consent Culture Initiative traveling to various events to curate safer, more inclusive arts and entertainment spaces.
Across her diverse career, Kate has remained deeply committed to collective care—ensuring individuals and communities have access to the resources they need to thrive, from food and education to mental health support, creative outlets, and access to legal aid.
