Emerson Twins: How Policy and Pop Culture Inspire Change

The Emerson Twins—Taylor and Hayley Emerson—are redefining how storytelling fuels democracy. After leaving their posts in the Biden-Harris Administration, the identical twins turned public service into performance art. Through music, theatre, and digital storytelling, they bridge politics and pop culture, showing how creativity can mobilize communities and defend democratic values. Their latest project, #EDMatters: Why We Have a U.S. Department of Education, fuses melody with mission to celebrate public education and inspire civic action.

How Policy and Art Collide in #EDMatters

At its heart, #EDMatters is more than a music video—it’s a protest, a love letter, and a history lesson wrapped in song. Written by Taylor Emerson during her time at the Department of Education, the track honors 46 years of educational progress while spotlighting threats facing federal institutions under new political pressures. The project, amplified by Dr. Jill Biden, highlights how storytelling and sound can turn policy into something deeply personal—and powerfully public.

Why Inclusion Drives the Emerson Twins’ Mission

Inclusion sits at the core of every Emerson production. From casting performers with disabilities to using historical imagery across administrations, the twins ensure that diversity isn’t a backdrop—it’s the story. As they put it, “You can’t tell one administration from another in the chorus—just the people who make up American education.” Their approach shows how policy storytelling can connect generations, making civic issues accessible and emotionally resonant through music and film.

How the Emerson Twins Are Inspiring Civic Action Through Art

The Emerson Twins view art as a civic blueprint. Through projects like #EDMatters and TradesForce—a campaign to recruit one million Americans into clean economy jobs—they remind citizens that democracy depends on participation. Their message is clear: Vote. Advocate. Create. In a world of polarization, they’re using harmony to build unity, proving that pop culture isn’t just entertainment—it’s a force for democratic renewal.