Rodriquez Wright II is an American political organizer, media entrepreneur and hip-hop recording artist based in Nashville, Tennessee. He founded the political consulting and media firm Leo Operations, he is the founder and editor-in-chief of Washington DC Magazine, and he records and produces music under the name Rod212.
Early life and education
Wright grew up in Chicago and moved to Nashville to attend Tennessee State University, the historically Black university, where he studied English and was named to the dean's list. He went on to earn a Master of Public Administration at Tennessee State.
His first job in politics came at the State Capitol. During the 2012 session of the 107th Tennessee General Assembly he served as a legislative intern for State Senator Ophelia Ford. The legislature recognized that work in Senate Joint Resolution 905, which commended him for his service. He also interned with the Tennessee Democratic Party.
A career in three parts
The strategist
Since 2012 Wright has organized, managed and advised campaigns from Nashville school board races to statewide ballot measures and a presidential primary. He was Tennessee organizing director for Michael Bloomberg's 2020 presidential campaign, managed Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk's 2022 re-election, and has directed field programs in more than two dozen states. The full record is on the campaigns page.
The publisher
Wright founded Washington DC Magazine, an independent publication covering politics, business, culture and the people shaping the capital, and he serves as its editor-in-chief. He reports and photographs for the magazine himself, and he is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists. More on the publisher page.
The artist
As Rod212, Wright writes, produces and shoots independent hip-hop and R&B. His songs have passed 2.8 million streams on Spotify, and his music has been covered by The Source, EarMilk and Wordplay Magazine. More on the Rod212 page.
Behind the camera
Much of Leo Operations' work is visual. Wright has photographed more than 1,000 events, from campaign launches and legislative sessions to galas and HBCU homecomings, and the firm's photo and video clients have included Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell, members of the Tennessee General Assembly, the Memphis Grizzlies, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators and Meharry Medical College.