About Clay

Clay Middleton is the Acting Director for the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). He was appointed in May of 2011.

In his role at CNCS, he works with the White House and other federal agencies to develop partnerships with faith-based and community-based organizations to tackle some of our nation’s most critical issues including supporting Veterans and Military Families, utilizing service as part of the solution to turning around the lowest performing schools, and expanding mentoring opportunities to increase academic engagement.

Prior to joining the Obama administration, Middleton served as the Lowcountry Coordinator for United States Congressman James E. Clyburn (D-SC). There, he worked with elected and appointed officials, municipalities as well as businesses, non-profits, state agencies, and other organizations, to ensure the delivery of effective and efficient government and private assistance to Charleston, Colleton, Berkeley, and Georgetown counties. He has been called upon frequently by the media and others to provide strategic advice and commentary on issues of importance.

In June of 2008, Middleton ran for a seat in the South Carolina House of Representatives, narrowly losing in the runoff election. That year, he also served as the South Carolina Political Director for the Obama for America Campaign. From 2005 to 2006, Middleton served as a Regional Field Organizer for the S.C. Democratic Party in a partnership with the Democratic National Committee.

A military veteran, Middleton enlisted in the South Carolina Army National Guard January 6, 2000. He served a yearlong tour of duty in Iraq in 2004 where he was the officer in charge at Taji. There he managed voice and data communications, critical post strategic commercialization projects, developed, oversaw, and dispersed a $200 million dollar budget and led 46 soldiers and civilian unit members. In 2006, Middleton did a stint along the Arizona-Mexico border as part of Operation Jump Start, a Bush administration initiative which dispatched 6,000 National Guard soldiers to assist Border Patrol agents. He oversaw 24-hour operation teams, monitored activity at checkpoints and offered miscellaneous support.  Middleton is currently a Captain in the S.C. Army National Guard as Bravo Company 198^th Signal Battalion Company Commander.

Middleton graduated from The Citadel with departmental honors in Political Science in 2003 and in 2011 he also earned his Master’s Degree and Graduate Certificate in Leadership from The Citadel. He received a diploma in Political Education from Morgan State University – Congressional Black Caucus Political Leadership Institute in 2005 and he is a 2011 graduate of Leadership Charleston.

Some of Middleton’s  awards and honors include: Designated an Outstanding Spokesman For Freedom by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Association, Proclamation from the City of Charleston, Bronze Star Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, MOJA Arts Festival Rising Star Award, Charleston Regional Business Journal Forty Under 40 Award, National Council of Negro Women, Inc Bethune-Leonard Section Innovator Under 35 Award,  Charleston Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Political Achievement Award,  NAACP Charleston Branch J. Arthur Brown Community Service Award, Charleston Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc Political Awareness and Involvement Award, and Morris Street Baptist Church Community Service Award.

Middleton is also an active member of the following organizations: the Charleston Development Academy Charter School Advisory Board, National Guard Association of South Carolina Resolutions Committee, Free and Accepted Mason – Gothic Lodge #212, Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity Inc. – Charleston Alumni Chapter, Life Member of The Citadel Alumni Association, and NAACP Charleston Branch Member.

Middleton firmly believes that it is best to live by making headway rather than headlines. “There is no need to worry about recognition; for the work you do will speak for you and what you do to the least of these you do unto the Creator. By staying true to this belief and commitment, the best is yet to come.”

Middleton is a native of Charleston, SC and is a member of St. Luke R.E. Church where Rev. Dr. Julius Barnes is pastor.

Click here to read the Charleston Post & Courier’s profile of Clay.