Commissioner Angel Rich
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
The Wealth Factory and #BlackTechMatters
angel@getwealthylife.com
Creating an algorithm for the stock market to win Goldman Sachs Portfolio Challenge, selling her first marketing plan to Prudential, becoming a founding employee of FINRA, authoring the first ever African American Financial Experience study, inventing the top financial literacy product in the world, and being named the “Next Steve Jobs” by Forbes – all by age 30, Angel Rich has earned the title Wealth Pioneer.
As a former Global Market Research Analyst for Prudential Financial, Rich conducted over 70 financial behavior studies including President Obama’s Veterans Initiative to help design the plan to bring the troops home and Problem Resolution Study where she saved the company $6 billion. Rich left with a mission to provide equal access to financial literacy to everyone, everywhere through financial education technology.
Releasing the first financial literacy mobile game on the market, CreditStacker. CreditStacker exceeded 200,000 downloads in 60 countries within two weeks and climbed to #1 education app in 14 countries and top 5 in 40 countries. The app was named the best financial literacy product in the country by The White House, Department of Education, and JP Morgan Chase.
Rich is also the author of the bestseller History of the Black Dollar, Black Woman Politics, and WealthyLife Financial Literacy Textbook. She has been awarded Hamptonian of the Year, HBCU 30 Under 30, Hampton 40 Under 40, and Google Top 30 Black Female Founders.
The United Nations named her one of the Top 5 Most Influential People in the African Diaspora and the following year she was honored as a historic figure by the Sandy Spring Slave Museum. Rich is former Vice Chair of the DC Financial Literacy Council, co-authoring Fiscally Fit and the financial literacy recommendations.
Rich is a graduate of the HillVets Lead program and founder of #BlackTechMatters PAC. She is the co-creator of MIT Hacking Racism Challenge producing the largest Black hackathon in the country and connecting IVY League schools with HBCUs.
Angel Rich-Jones is the founder of CreditRich, the first Black woman owned neo-bank and first Black company to have an institutional partner with a credit bureau. In partnership with VISA to deliver debit and credit cards, CreditRich’s valuation was announced to exceed $1.5 billion.
Expanding her passion for golf Rich co-founded 4tee Acres, a signature HBCU program in partnership with PGA Reach, to drive for diversity.
Leah McGowen-Hare is Senior Vice President of the Trailblazer Community at Salesforce where she creates access, enablement, and support for the 15 million developers, admins, architects, and data analysts succeeding in the Salesforce Ecosystem.
Leah is dedicated to empowering others to launch their careers in technology by making technology accessible to all. She has a Master of Science in Education and Technology and over 25 years of experience, having served in various technical and leadership roles including consultant, software developer, curriculum developer, technical trainer, and most recently as a technology executive.
In her current role, she leads global community strategy, enablement, and operations alignment developing impactful programs that fuel innovation and trust within the community and the industry.
As a dynamic Master Technical Trainer at Salesforce, Leah is one of the driving forces behind
the "Be a Multiplier" program, which inspires individuals to skill up for the jobs of today and
tomorrow through Trailhead, Salesforce's free online learning platform. She also served as the
host for the award-winning series "Leading Through Change'' and co-produced the Trailblazer
Series on Salesforce+, Salesforce's streaming platform. She is a celebrated keynote speaker on
topics such as leading edge technologies, building lasting communities, Salesforce enablement,
and driving representation by empowering the future technologists.
Her commitment to accessible education is further demonstrated through her involvement with
organizations such as The Hidden Genius Project, Girls Who Code, and Salesforce's Trailhead
Military, where she works to demystify technology and create access to youth, communities of
color, and veterans.
Arian Simone is an accomplished entrepreneur, philanthropist, investor, best-selling author, and highly sought-after international speaker. She is widely recognized as a trailblazer in her industry, making significant contributions and empowering others along the way.
Arian is the Founding Partner and CEO of the Fearless Fund, a groundbreaking venture capital fund that is the first Venture Capital Fund built for WOC by WOC with a focus on investing in pre-seed, seed level, and series A financing which includes institutional investors such as J.P. Morgan Chase, Bank of America, Mastercard, Ally Bank, and more.
With an MBA from Florida A&M University, Arian has demonstrated her expertise and acumen in strategic business management. She established a highly successful public relations and marketing firm, boasting an impressive portfolio of billion dollar corporate clients including Sony Pictures, Walt Disney, Universal, and other renowned Hollywood studios.
Recognized for her exceptional ability to guide strategic growth and increase company value, Arian's remarkable resilience and achievements led to her appointment to the Board of Directors for the esteemed Steve Madden Company. Her invaluable insights also extend to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, where she actively serves on the board, as well as advisory roles for Amazon and Mastercard.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Arian has embraced a regal role as the Queen of Dawa Grand Bereby in Côte D'Ivoire. In this capacity, she collaborates closely with Ivorian government officials to improve the welfare and uplift the lives of the people in her region.
Arian's impact and influence have garnered widespread recognition, with Entrepreneur Magazine naming her as one of the "100 Women of Impact." Her unwavering commitment to creating opportunities for women of color and her exceptional achievements in various fields truly set her apart as a dynamic and inspiring leader.
Armed with a license in cosmetology and a few small acting roles, Malinda
Williams left her home state of New Jersey and ambitiously set her sights on
Hollywood. Branded one of the entertainment industry's most well respected
actresses, Malinda is known for having a career spanning more than 40 years.
Twice nominated for an NAACP Image Award for "outstanding actress in a
drama series", the determined young beauty made a name for herself,
grabbing lead roles in films such as “The Wood “(MTV/Paramount), “High
School High” “A Thin Line Between Love and Hate” and the television series
SoulFood.
Malinda Williams has also embraced lifelong learning to create numerous
roles and opportunities for herself outside of entertainment. In 2019, she
launched She’s Got A Habit, empowering women to achieve wellness and
economic security through entrepreneurship.
Rather than rely solely on outside contractors and vendors, Malinda taught
herself to code (HTML, CSS, Javascript, etc.) and built multiple e-commerce
platforms from the ground up-- She used the platforms to launch her first
book, The Game of Life & How To Slay It and the wildly popular Words that
Work, Self-empowerment Affirmation Card Deck.
Intent on serving her supportive community, Malinda recently founded The
Arise and Shine Foundation,Inc a (501(c)(3) non-profit organization that
helps fulfill Malinda's vision to be a conduit of information, inspiration, and
empowerment to underserved, underrepresented women.
The E.S.T.E.A.M. Project (an acronym for Entrepreneurship, Science,
Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) will launch it’s first HBCU Coding
Bootcamp and Scholarship Program, bringing together a cohort of young
women from multiple HBCU’s. The program will underscore, among other
things the importance of tech skills no matter the field of endeavor and
demonstrate how technology training and cultivating soft skills can empower.
AUTHOR:
The Game of Life And How To Slay It! - 2022
Words That Work: Self Empowerment Affirmation Card Deck - 2022
Born in Charlotte, North Carolina and raised in Grand Prairie, Texas, Laya DeLeon Hayes grew up participating in school plays and talent shows. This fueled her passion to perform and eventually lead to a move to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. Laya is best known for her role in CBS’s “The Equalizer” where she plays 'Delilah,' the boundary pushing teen daughter of Robyn McCall played by the incomparable Queen Latifah. Laya is also known for voicing the titular role in the BAFTA, Emmy, and Peabody Award nominated animated series, "Doc McStuffins," in which she won her first individual NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television). Laya also recently starred as the lead of IFC Films “The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster” for which she garnered her 3rd NAACP Image Award nomination in addition to the film’s nomination with the prestigious award show. She also voiced the character ‘Angrboda’ in the extraordinarily popular video game “God Of War: Ragnarök," for which she won a BAFTA Game Award in 2023 for “Best Supporting Actor.”
Laya's additional television credits include "Just Add Magic," “Liv & Maddie" and "Raven's Home." Laya has also guest starred on "Grey's Anatomy,” "Quantico" and "Code Black" as well as Nickelodeon’s "Santa Hunters.”
Laya has established a successful voiceover career, and in addition to voicing "God Of War: Ragnarök,” Laya has also voiced roles in "Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny,” "Hey Arnold: The Jungle Movie," and Rell, the “Iron Maiden” in the popular video game series "League of Legends."
Her most exciting project to date was the lead role as ‘Vicaria’ in "The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster” which premiered at SXSW. She played the role of ‘Vicaria,' a brilliant teenager who believes death is a disease that can be cured. The film follows her journey after the brutal and sudden murder of her brother. In the film, she embarks on a dangerous journey to bring him back to life. Inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, "The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster" thematically challenges our ideas of life and death.
Laya also loves theater, watching movies, creating videos and hopes to develop, write, direct, and produce her own projects. To keep up with all that’s going on with Laya, please follow her social media accounts below.
Instagram: @layadeleonhayes
Tik Tok: @layahayes22
Facebook: @layadeleonhayes
Terayle is an American Actor, Producer, Rapper, and Entrepreneur. He was born in Pomona, California in 1994 and raised in Moreno Valley, California – before venturing over to Atlanta, Georgia where he and graduated from Clark Atlanta University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts – for Television and Film. He’s most known for his work on Step Up on Starz, Judas and the Black Messiah, Cobra Kai, Block Party, and various television shows and movies over the span on the last 7 years.
Outside of acting, Terayle engages his time and energy in other areas of the entertainment industry. Since 2014, he’s been directing and producing films that have garnered much attention and recognition in yearly film-festival circuits. Terayle has also brought his first love, rapping, to the main stage of television and film. He’s landed a few musical placements in the film industry. He most notably wrote and performed a levy of music Step Up on STARZ Network. Terayle recently released a new EP called Wesside Luv Storie which is now available everywhere!
Terayle also has crossed over to the stage! During the Summer of 2022, Terayle made his theater debut in the World Premiere of “Lambs to Slaughter” at Cherry Lane Theater (The Negro Ensemble) in New York City.
Terayle has come a long way and has no intention on stopping any time soon. He is on a daily pursuit of mastering his filmmaking abilities, as well as being a full-time entrepreneur! Terayle is the co-founder of the mulit-media enterprise, “Everybodies Inc.” For more information on Everybodies Inc., head over to www.EverybodiesInc.com.
Dr. Jazmine Nicholson is a passionate advocate for environmental sustainability and community empowerment. With a Ph.D in environmental science from Florida AeM University, Dr. Nicholson has dedicated her career to leverage her expertise for positive change. Currently serving as the Executive Director of the EARTHANG Foundation and Chief Operating Officer of the ABiE Agency. Dr. Nicholson embodies an entrepreneurial spirit to make a difference in the world
Jacquie is Division Director, Health Equity, Diversity and inclusion Services for MercyOne Iowa. Her area of responsibilities include language access services and health equity initiatives for the organization. Jacquie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota and a certification in Human Resource Law from the Society of Human Resources.
Jacquie is Vice Chair of the United Way Board of Directors where she leads the Early Childhood cabinet. She also chairs the Directors Council/One Economy health strategic team and is the Iowa Nebraska NAACP Conference of Branches health chair. She has served as Chair of the Greater Des Moines partnership Diversity Council and Central Iowa Regional Workforce Investment Board, which oversees the planning and programming for workforce development for seven central Iowa counties
Elected in 1990, Jacquie was the first African American female to serve on the Des Moines School Board, the largest school district in Iowa. She served two terms, held the office of President, and was unanimously appointed by the School Board in 2000 to fill a vacancy.
Among her honors and awards are the following:
Remarkable Woman Central Iowa 2023, Nexstar Media
Corporate Citizen of the Year, 2022 Des Moines NAACP
Inductee, Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame
Inductee, Iowa African American Hall of Fame
Inductee, Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame
Inductee, Iowa Lifelong Learner Hall of Fame
Des Moines Human Rights Commission Mary Louise Smith Diversity and Inclusion Award
Metro Women’s Association Woman of the Year
Business Record Woman of Influence
Dollars and Sense Magazine Outstanding Business and Professional Award
Iowa Jaycees’ Outstanding Young Iowan
YWCA Woman of Achievement
Outstanding Service to Youth by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority
Judge Luther Glanton Award for Outstanding Public Service
Outstanding Community member Junior League of Greater Des Moines
Des Moines University Community Diversity Champion
US Bank Board of Directors member
Terrance Woodbury, co-founder & CEO of HIT Strategies, is widely recognized as one of America’s foremost pollsters and political strategists. Terrance spearheads research initiatives at HIT Strategies and drives business growth by cultivating a team of millennial strategists bent on challenging conventional approaches to public opinion research and analysis.
Acknowledged as a prominent emerging figure in political strategy, Terrance recently earned esteemed accolades, including being named to POLITICO’s Recast 2023 Power List and selected for the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) 2023 Class of 40 Under 40. He has established himself as a leading authority on the socio-political attitudes of young people, diverse Americans, and Democratic voters. Terrance’s insights on American politics are featured in reputable outlets like the Washington Post, Politico, Wall Street Journal, The Hill, USA Today, NPR, and TV segments on MSNBC and Showtime’s “The Circus”
Before co-founding HIT Strategies, Terrance served as the Research Director at Brilliant Corners Research (a public opinion data firm). He also gained valuable experience at the Brookings Institution, where he conducted research on economic and demographic trends. Prior to deciding to specialize in data research, Terrance contributed to numerous local, state, national, and international campaigns, performing all roles, including management, fundraising, organizing, and communications.
Under Terrance’s leadership, HIT Strategies has experienced remarkable growth, expanding from a small team to 30 professionals within a four-year span and attracting numerous clients seeking innovative methodologies and interpretations of public opinion data. Terrance notably pioneered BLACKtrack, the nation’s sole monthly poll tracking the attitudes of Black voters over time. His unwavering dedication to amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities is a testament to his commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and upbringing by his late mother, Shanna Monique Woodbury.
Terrance received his Bachelor’s Degree at Morehouse College.
Elisha “EJ” Williams made his television lead debut as ‘Dean Williams’ in ABC’s reimagining of “The Wonder Years”- created by Saladin K. Patterson, produced by Lee Daniels and directed by Ken Whittingham which airs Netflix, Disney+ and Hulu. Williams, who is affectionately known as EJ, alongside the narration of Oscar winner, Don Cheadle, takes on the role of the youngest Black male lead of a network TV show in decades. At the young age of 15, EJ has been nominated for a Hollywood Critics Association Award and is a five- time NAACP Image Award nominee, nominated for both Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Performance by a Youth. He is a winner of a Peabody Award and an honoree of a Critic’s Choice Ensemble Award. Most recently, EJ, alongside his father, has been credited as an Executive Producer of an episode of the series “The Real Stories of Basketball”- a docuseries with executive producers Lebron James and Mavrick Carter. EJ is a rising star shining bright!
EJ started his career at the young age of eight and has recurred on “Henry Danger” and “Danger Force.” He’s also an accomplished young voice over actor, starring as ‘Bingo’ on Disney Junior’s “Puppy Dog Pals” and voicing ‘Dirk’ on Nickelodeon’s “The Loud House” as well as ‘Flash’ on Disney’s “Firebuds”. An avid basketball player with Harlem Globetrotters lineage, EJ also spends his time supporting his family’s Dare2Dream foundation, which was recently honored by the NBA’s G-League team the Wisconsin Herd (Milwaukee Bucks’ affiliate), encouraging the next generation of world-changers through sports, educational and character development programs. When he is not working, he is spending time with his family. He enjoys reading, singing, playing competitive sports, as well as coding and programming apps. Although his favorite subject in school is currently science, he has a passion for directing. He also says he would like to go to law school one day.
Gabrielle Nevaeh is a groundbreaking actress and producer, known for her versatility and talent. Leaving a lasting impact on kids and family entertainment, she made history as one of the first black female leads in a Nickelodeon series, achieving record premiere ratings for the network. She also broke barriers in sports broadcasting as the first female and first Black female to call an NFL Wildcard Game on CBS. With extensive hosting experience and acclaimed voice-over work, Gabrielle continues to engage audiences of all ages. Her numerous nominations and awards, including the Kids Choice Awards and an Emmy nomination, reflect her impact and excellence in the entertainment industry.
Diya Wynn leads Responsible AI for Amazon Web Services. She leads a team that engages with customers to go from principles to practice - operationalizing standards for responsible Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning and data. Diya leads discussions globally on taking intentional action to uncover potential unintended impacts, and mitigate risks related to the development, deployment, and use of their AI/ML systems. She leverages her over 25 years of experience as a technologist scaling products for acquisition; driving inclusion, diversity & equity initiatives; leading operational transformation across industries; and understanding historical and systemic contexts to guide customers in establishing an AI/ML operating model. Additionally, she serves on non-profit boards including the AWS Health Equity Initiative Review Committee; mentors at Tulane University, Spelman College, and GMI; was a mayoral appointee in Environment Affairs for 6 consecutive years and guest lectures regularly on responsible and inclusive technology. Diya studied Computer Science at Spelman College, the Management of Technology at New York University, and AI & Ethics at Harvard University Professional School and MIT Sloan School of Management.
Sandy Gordon has dedicated over 20 years to driving positive change and innovation at some of the world's most recognized companies. As Vice President of Employee Experience and Relations for Global Operations at Amazon, she leads a team focused on fostering an inclusive, supportive, and thriving work environment for the company's 1.3 million-strong operations workforce worldwide.
Sandy's career began in the airline industry, where she rose through the ranks from flight attendant to Senior Vice President of Domestic Airport Operations at Delta Air Lines. In this role, she oversaw daily operations and customer service delivery in 224 U.S. airports, championing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives during some of the industry's most challenging disruptions including the global pandemic, The Great Recession, and 9/11.
A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Sandy is deeply committed to community service. She serves as a Trustee on the Agnes Scott College Board and is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. When she's not spearheading organizational transformations, you can find Sandy cheering on the Atlanta Falcons or traveling to destinations with sun and sand.
With her extensive operational expertise, data-driven approach, and unwavering dedication to empowering employees, Sandy is a true trailblazer, inspiring positive change within the corporate landscape and beyond.
Dr. Chris T. Pernell is a dynamic physician leader and social change agent. In her practice, she focuses on health justice, community-based advocacy, and population-wide health promotion and disease prevention. A celebrated visionary and apostle of public health, Dr. Chris serves as the Director of the NAACP Center for Health Equity. The Center is charged with driving equitable health outcomes and transforming healthcare systems while valuing the whole person. Prior to joining the nation's oldest and most venerable civil rights organization, she launched The Esther Group, a public health consulting and health equity strategy firm. As founder of The Esther Group, she lives the mandate to dare a future where organizations, communities and systems can innovate for a better world and humanity.
Previously, she served as the first Chief Strategic Integration and Health Equity Officer at University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey. Dr. Pernell oversaw a portfolio which included Population Health, Strategic Planning, Community Affairs, and the Human Experience. Her office was responsible for leading health equity strategy development and integrating diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism initiatives across all system operations.
Prior to joining University Hospital, she led the 1199SEIU/League Labor Management Initiatives (LMI) Workplace and Community Health Program. Working with 1199SEIU leaders and frontline workers-the nation's largest healthcare union-and executive partners across NYC healthcare institutions, her efforts centered on workplace health strategies, worker empowerment, health equity, and health system transformation.
Dr. Chris is a charismatic and leading voice in preventive medicine and public health. Singled out both for her business acumen and public health expertise, her list of honors include: ROI-NJ Top 150 Business Leaders; The Greenleaf Center Hall of Fame Servant-Leader; The New Jersey Public Health Association Dr. Ezra Mundy Hunt Award for distinctive leadership in the field; an NJBiz Best 50 Women in Business Award; a ROI-NJ Women in Business Influencer; The American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM) Ron Davis Special Recognition Award; an NJBiz Public Health Hero Award; and the NAACP NJ State Conference 100 Black People Who Changed the World Honoree.
Dr. Pernell has spearheaded issues such as criminal justice reform, care for justice-impacted populations, evidence-based wellness programs, civic health, and high-quality education. Known for her community work in the Greater Newark, New Jersey area, she serves on the Essex County Civilian Task Force as a medical expert. On Juneteenth 2023, she was tapped to join the New Jersey Reparations Council as a member of their health equity committee. Dr. Pernell is a frequent contributor across television, radio, and print media leveraging her lived experiences and insights as a public health physician and health equity champion. She regularly speaks at professional symposia and social forums and advises community, state, regional, and national leaders on health equity, racial justice, population health, community wellbeing, and faith-based initiatives.
Dr. Chris graduated cum laude from Princeton University before attending Duke University School of Medicine. She received her Master of Public Health from the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health and completed the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health General Preventive Medicine Residency. Dr. Pernell is a fellow and Regent-at-Large for the American College of Preventive Medicine. She holds an appointment as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. Previously, she taught as an adjunct associate professor at the NYU College of Global Public Health. She labors as a faith leader in a groundbreaking assembly, BET HaSHEM YHWH Worldwide Ministries, and travels domestically and overseas helping to transform lives through love, truth, creativity, and inspiration.
Brandi Richard Thompson is an experienced and seasoned public relations and communication strategist, emergency manager, and leader with a diverse background in the public and private sectors. She currently serves as the Interim External Affairs Director and spokeswoman for FEMA Region 9 and has held various leadership roles within FEMA and other government organizations. She represents Emmy-award-winning actor Kerwin Thompson, who starred in the film Tight, which debuted at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. Brandi is skilled in crisis communication, public speaking, and diversity and inclusion initiatives. She is also an accomplished entrepreneur and community leader, having founded the Operation Growth Institute and served as National President of the Urban League’s Young Professionals. Brandi's dedication to service and leadership has earned her numerous awards and accolades throughout her career.
Jerry Lawson is National Manager, ENERGY STAR for Small Business & Congregations, US EPA.
Previously, Lawson served as:
Executive Director for Conservation, Customer Service, Rates & Forecasting at the Lower Colorado River Authority, which generates electricity for cities and rural electric co-ops, and provides water for agriculture in the 30,000 square mile service area surrounding Austin, Texas.
Director of the City of Austin Resource Management Department, which successfully substituted utility customer energy efficiency to prevent construction of a new 500-megawatt coal-fired power plant, and with water efficiency delayed construction of a fourth city water treatment plant. These construction delays protected City bonding capacity. Targeted water efficiency helped maintain water service pressure and firefighting capability during simultaneous historic growth and a 100-year drought.
Deputy Director for Conservation and Renewable Resources at the Arkansas Department of Energy. Managed federally funded state programs and worked with business and industry on energy efficiency.
Education includes a Master of Public Affairs degree from Arizona State University and a BA degree from the University of Arkansas.
Dr. Ebonee R. Mayo-Mitchell is a dedicated college choice advocate and HBCU enthusiast, who founded College Prep 365 Consulting, Inc. in 2014. This educational consulting firm is designed to assist students and parents in navigating the college choice process to find the perfect fit. Her primary focus is on increasing enrollment numbers and ensuring students and parents make informed choices about institutions.
Dr. Mayo-Mitchell specializes in connecting college choice theories to everyday practices, emphasizing the importance of HBCUs. She is an expert on university admission processes, college readiness, choice, and retention. Her experience includes serving as a liaison between minority-serving institutions and the National Park Service, where she developed training and employment opportunities for students, benefiting both internal and external partners.
As a mentor and consultant, Dr. Mayo-Mitchell collaborates with numerous institutions, including high schools, church groups, and service organizations, providing guidance on the admission process. She participates as keynote in local and national college fairs, such as the Congressional Black Caucus, Alfred Street HBCU Fair, and Black College Expo.
Dr. Mayo-Mitchell is experienced in academic and student affairs, including athletics, student support services, institutional advancement, and student success. She has organized annual scholarship galas, raising significant funds for students, and is a published author with contributions to scholarly journals and book chapters.
She serves as a subject matter expert for families and organizations on college preparation, test preparation, scholarship and financial aid, and other educational and career-related topics. Dr. Mayo-Mitchell has managed a yearly caseload of 140 students, with over 7302 served since 2014, achieving a 98% acceptance rate to top-priority schools. She conducts numerous workshops monthly, covering topics such as test preparation and financial aid, and provides critical feedback through individual and group sessions.
Dr. Mayo-Mitchell holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Morgan State University, with a dissertation on African American students' decisions to attend college and their choice of HBCUs. She also has advanced degrees from Howard University and Johnson C. Smith University.
Her professional memberships include IECA, YEPDC, AERA, Phi Delta Kappa, and Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. She volunteers as a mentor for the College Bound DC program and participates in college tours organized by Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. Prince George's County, MD Alumnae Chapter.
Dominik Whitehead serves as the Vice President of Campaigns for the NAACP where he leads and strengthens efforts in strategic advocacy and electoral campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels. Whitehead's career began with NAACP in 2019 as the National Civic Engagement Director where he worked to increase African-American voter turn-out through voter registration, voter mobilization, GOTV field efforts, and volunteer engagement. During the 2022 electoral cycle he was responsible for managing a $12 million Black voter mobilization program across 10 states. Under Whitehead's leadership, NAACP launched the Building Community Voice Fund grants program, where in 2022 NAACP granted $7.5 million to NAACP units and Black/Brown organizations focused on increasing civic participation through voter registration, voter turnout, and voter education. During the 2020 Presidential election cycle, Whitehead managed the largest independent Black voter mobilization at $16.5 million.
Dominik joins the NAACP out of the labor movement at the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) where he was Political Action Representative in AFSCMEs Political Department. As a political action representative, Whitehead was responsible for developing, implementing, and leading political campaigns and electoral programs that support AFSCME's goals and objectives of electing lawmakers who support working families.
Whitehead has assumed lead roles on many electoral and advocacy campaigns and projects including the 2014 Michigan governor's race where he was the GOTV director in the Worker's Voice Independent Expenditure Program; the 2015 Philadelphia, PA, AFSCME member-to-member program as the assistant manager; the 2015 gubernatorial race in Kentucky as state director; and the 2016 presidential primary in various roles in Iowa, Nevada, Florida and Pennsylvania for. In 2018, Whitehead was the GOTV Director for a $15 million statewide independent expenditure program for the Michigan gubernatorial race. He is known for his strategic planning and program implementation and managing and cultivating national, state, and local relationships with key stakeholders in the progressive, labor, and civil rights movements.
In 2017, Whitehead was the creator and campaign strategist of the Stop DeVos campaign at Bethune Cookman University, which garnered 60,000 petition signers through Change.org and Color of Change. The campaign led the students to protest in collective action, turning their backs to Secretary Betsy DeVos during the commencement speech.
Whitehead earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Bethune-Cookman University. He also holds a Master of Public Administration from Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University. Whitehead attended the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Public Policy, Senior Executives in Local and State Politics program, where he completed a certification in government.
He is native of Portsmouth, VA and currently resides in Washington, DC.
In his role as Vice President, Policy and Legislative Affairs, Cedric is responsible for leading the process to develop, grow, and maintain an influential position for the NAACP, impacting federal and state public policy initiatives.
Cedric started his journey in public policy via the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Emerging Leaders program in 2009. Since then, he has worked with Congressman Bennie G. Thompson, including the House Homeland Security Committee offices. Cedric has varied policy experience in the private sector, having consulted with numerous startups and long-established businesses on issues including entertainment, micro mobility, housing, transportation infrastructure, and energy.
He is a graduate of Tougaloo College and Mississippi College School of Law. Prior to joining the NAACP, Cedric served as the Associate Vice President of Public Affairs for WM Technology.
Kelly Crawford is Senior Advisor for Energy and Environmental Justice at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Economic Impact and Diversity. Crawford is an award-winning subject matter expert with more than a decade of technical experience in environmental science and engineering, energy policy, climate change, emergency management and response, and environmental justice and equity. Kelly, a native Washingtonian, has been at the forefront of developing innovative strategies that promote pollution reduction to mitigate environmental impacts to vulnerable communities through a comprehensive understanding of regulatory frameworks, coupled with technical expertise and a firm commitment to inclusive decision-making processes. She works within DOE to craft policies that not only prioritizes environmental protection but also facilitates equitable access to the benefits of clean energy. Prior to joining DOE Crawford served as the State Air pollution control officer for the District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment as Associate Director of the Air Quality Division where she established and led the Department’s inaugural equity committee, developing and implementing a Racial Equity Framework, a racial equity impact tool, and conducted Environmental Justice and Racial Equity training within the department.
Abre' Conner oversees the strategy and collaboration across the Association to dismantle environmental racism. She has taught Education Law and is currently faculty in the Environmental Policy and Management Program at the University of California-Davis.
A native of Lakeland, FL, Abre' served as the Directing Attorney of Health at the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley where she led the litigation, direct legal services work, and advocacy regarding health equity and the social determinants of health that impact historically excluded communities across the Silicon Valley. Abre' sat on the Law Foundation's race, equity, and inclusion steering committee and led work regarding jail conditions, encampment sweeps, alternatives to involuntary medical and psychiatric treatment for individuals in Santa Clara County, and advocacy to close an airport that allowed planes to use lead fuel. Prior to joining the Law Foundation, Abre' was a staff attorney with the ACLU Foundation of Northern California, where she advocated for the civil rights and liberties of Central Valley and Northern California residents, including an emphasis on issues that impact people of color in rural communities such as environmental justice.
As a staff attorney at the Center on Race, Poverty, and the Environment in Delano, CA, Abre' primarily worked with migrant farmworkers and in unincorporated communities. She has worked at numerous civil rights entities including the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights, and Capitol Hill. She was also an associate in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel in the Obama Administration. Abre' served as the elected Assembly Speaker for the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, the chief policy officer for the Division, and is an appointed member of the ABA's Commission on Youth at Risk Advisory Board and Children's Rights Litigation Working Group. Under her leadership, the Division adopted a resolution declaring racism as a public health crisis which is now ABA policy.
A graduate of American University, Washington College of Law, and the University of Florida, Abre' has been named a top 40 under 40 Nation's Best Advocate by the National Bar Association, top 100 leader by Fresno Black Chamber of Commerce, top 40 On the Rise Attorneys by the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, Community Champion by Fresno Building Healthy Communities, 40 under 40 alumni by the University of Florida, and has appeared in the New York Times' The Daily, American Bar Association Journal, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated's National Magazine, The Archon, and Cosmopolitan Magazine.
Greg Jackson serves as Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Greg has been a gun violence prevention leader for over ten years. A survivor of gun violence, Greg has led Community Justice Action Fund, a national, survivor-led gun violence prevention organization focused exclusively on the impact to Black and brown communities. Greg has testified before Congress and has regularly appeared in an array of media outlets including Time, CNN, Vice News, The Problem with Jon Stewart, The Washington Post, MSNBC and “Price of Freedom” HBO Documentary. Greg holds a B.A. from the University of Virginia.
Angela serves as the pioneering Executive Director of Moms Demand Action. Her lifelong dedication to community organizing, coupled with her role as a mother of four based in Washington, DC, underscores her passionate commitment to uniting people. Over the past two decades, Angela has actively volunteered and organized grassroots efforts across a spectrum of causes: women’s rights, civil rights, LGBTQ+ rights, immigration, reproductive rights, racial justice, and education.
The experience of motherhood deepened Angela's determination to safeguard not only her own children but all children in America.
In 2019, Angela joined Everytown for Gun Safety as Senior Vice President of Movement Building. In this influential position, she witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers. Angela has played a pivotal role in advancing critical cultural, corporate, and national initiatives and partnerships.
Throughout her tenure, Angela has found inspiration and strength from the resilience, courage, and grace of gun violence survivors, who continually motivate her to persevere in this vital work.
Growing up in the midst of challenges, RuQuan Brown found solace and purpose through sports and community activism during his high school years. His passion for both football and social justice ignited a flame that would continue to burn brightly as he transitioned into college at Harvard University. During his undergraduate experience, not only has he found his place as a
multidisciplinary artist, but as a revolutionary committed to uplifting students across the country.
Throughout his collegiate career, RuQuan Brown has excelled in the classroom, and also dedicated himself to advocating for marginalized communities, amplifying their voices and championing their causes. His commitment to making a difference didn't end with graduation; instead, it propelled him into the world of communications where he founded his own Communications Consulting Firm: Student Targeted Solutions (STS).
Today, RuQuan Brown leads STS, where he combines his knack for storytelling with his drive for social change, but his talents don't stop there. You may have caught glimpses of him on TikTok, where he seamlessly blends inspiration with advocacy, reaching audiences far and wide. Additionally his work as artist mell hooks can be heard on SoundCloud, where his unique sound brings music and soul to the movement.
RuQuan's journey, from his humble beginnings as the child of parents who weathered the storm of the crack epidemic, serves as a testament to the power of innovation and resilience. Through his leadership, advocacy, and artistic endeavors, RuQuan Brown continues to inspire others to create positive change in their communities and beyond.
Dorien Rogers is from Clarksburg, Maryland, located 1 hour from Washington DC. As a graduate of Clarksburg HighSchool, Dorien pursued his undergraduate studies at Salisbury University located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. With a double major of Political Science and International Studies with a History Minor, Dorien interconnected his academics to serving his school community. Dorien got involved in organizations including but not limited to Student Government Association, Model United Nations, Black Student Union, and of course-the Salisbury University NAACP chapter serving as the 2021-2022 Chapter President.
Through this work, Dorien and his peers successfully advanced general education reform 40 years in the making, secure funding for staff/programming for Multicultural Student Services, and more. After graduating spring 2022, Dorien alongside his fellow peers successfully reactivated the NAACP Maryland State Conference Youth/College Division June 2022. While rebuilding Dorien worked with members across the state to uplift our intersectional black communities including but not limited to student debt advocacy, protecting DE&I in our schools, financial literacy education/awareness, food/housing insecurities, and combating gun violence.
In July of 2023, Dorien was elected as the NAACP National Youth Works Rep for Region VIl. As a graduate student seeking a masters in Public Administration, Dorien served as a substitute teacher in Montgomery County Public Schools and also a Doordasher. In addition to NAACP, Dorien serves in the FreetheDegree Coalition and is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated. Through these intersections, Dorien has received honors from his peers, government officials, and was speaker for TEDx in 2023.
Olivia Watkins (she/her) serves as Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director at Black Farmer Fund. Olivia is a social entrepreneur and impact investor. For the past seven years, she has financed, developed, and operated environmental and social projects across the US. She also serves as a board member for Soul Fire Farm Institute.
Prior to founding Black Farmer Fund in 2017, Olivia worked in several production roles at Soul Fire Farm Institute and Kahumana Organic Farms, leveraging her environmental biology background to manage and grow environmentally regenerative and socially impactful business operations.
Olivia has an MBA from North Carolina State University in Financial Management, and a BA from Barnard College, Columbia University in Environmental Biology. She was also recognized on the 2021 Forbes 30 under 30 Social Impact list and The Grist 50.
Scot Esdaile is a member of the NAACP National Board of Directors from New Haven, CT, and is president of the Connecticut State Conference.
Karen Boykin-Towns built a reputation as a visionary and driver of strategic results. She brings demonstrated success in the areas of policy, advocacy, communications, and proactive change management to the NAACP in her role as Vice Chair of the National Board of Directors.
Her goal is to apply and share her experience to make positive change. She now serves as Founder and President/CEO of Encore Strategies LLC, a boutique consultancy focusing on integrating business and public affairs initiatives. A distinguished strategist, global business, and civic leader, Boykin-Towns previously contributed her expertise across government, the nonprofit sector, and Pfizer, a Fortune 50 global biopharmaceutical company, while also championing civil rights and social justice issues.
At Pfizer, Boykin-Towns advanced quickly into executive management roles. She was recruited as a senior legislative analyst based on her reputation for success in state government and held key leadership roles in public affairs, government relations, global policy, and human resources. Based on her positive impact in driving change across the organization, she was selected by Pfizer's CEO to serve as its first Chief Diversity Officer in 2008. In this role, she successfully developed an integrated, global strategy resulting in internal progress and external recognition of the company's advances in diversity and inclusion as a competitive advantage. Boykin-Towns concluded her time at Pfizer as Vice President of Corporate Affairs for their $34 billion Innovative Medicines business where she served as a member of the Senior Leadership Committee which consisted of the top 200 leaders in the global organization.
Embracing her passion for policy and politics, Boykin-Towns' early career involved serving as legislative director and then chief of staff to New York State Senator David Paterson who later became the 55th Governor of New York. In this role, she led the strategy and execution of legislative efforts related to civil and human rights, community development, and environmental issues.
Boykin-Towns leverages her talent as a coalition builder and social change agent through her active participation in various organizations. Along with her work with the NAACP where she is a diamond life member, Karen serves on the boards of several organizations including American Airlines Community Council; Visiting Nurse Services, and independent director for iFIT, maker of NordicTrack. She also serves as Senior Advisor for FGS Global and was co-executive producer for the 53rd and 54th NAACP Image Awards shows.
Karen has been featured in Black Enterprise, Bloomberg Businessweek, Black Entertainment Television, PR Week, Essence Magazine, WWD, Ebony Magazine, Crain's, African American Career World, Network Journal, and The Cut. Savoy Magazine named her a "Top Influential Woman in Corporate America" in 2016. In 2020, she was named "Woman of the Year" by Seeds of Fortune and named by City & State as one of New York's Power Players in Politics and Government. In 2021 Karen was selected for Lafayette 148's Unordinary Women Campaign and in 2023 featured by City & State for their Above and Beyond Women award.
Karen Boykin-Towns holds an MBA degree from the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College of the City University of New York (CUNY), as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Mount Saint Vincent. A mother of two young women engineers, Boykin-Towns is married to former State Assemblyman Darryl Towns and lives in Brooklyn, NY, and Charlotte, NC.
Leon W. Russell has dedicated his life to fighting for human rights and has served on the National Board of Directors since 1990 in various roles, including Assistant Secretary, Chair of the Convention Planning Committee, and Vice Chair. His peers recognized his decades of work and leadership when they elected him as chair in 2017.
Before joining the board, Russell served as president of the NAACP Florida State Conference of Branches for 4 years after serving for 15 years as the first vice president.
After 35 years of public service as the Director of the Office of Human Rights for Pinellas County in Clearwater, Florida, Russell retired in 2012. During his time as a civil servant he was responsible for implementing the county's affirmative action and human rights ordinances. These ordinances continue to ensure a racially and sexually diverse workforce and support the implementation of the county's equal employment opportunity programs.
From 2007 to 2011, Russell served as President of the International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies (IAOHRA). The IAOHRA membership consists of statutory human and civil rights agencies throughout the United States and Canada and other nations. These agencies enforce state and local civil rights laws and are actively engaged in reducing and resolving intergroup tension and promoting intergroup relations.
As part of his lifelong work and leadership, Russell has served as a member of several organizations including the International City Management Association and the National Forum for Black Public Administrators. He served as a board member of the Pinellas Opportunity Council, president and board member of the National Association of Human Rights Workers, and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Children's Campaign of Florida.
As the Chairman of Floridians Representing Equity and Equality (FREE), a statewide coalition, Russel worked to oppose the Florida Civil Rights Initiative, an anti-affirmative action proposal. Ultimately, the initiative failed to get on the Florida ballot for voter consideration, because of the strong legal challenge spearheaded by FREE.
Russell has received numerous civic awards and citations for his work ensuring equality and equity across the U.S.
Michael S. Regan was sworn in as the 16th Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency on March 11, 2021, becoming the first Black man and second person of color to lead the U.S. EPA.
Administrator Regan is a native of Goldsboro, North Carolina, where he developed a passion for the environment while hunting and fishing with his father and grandfather, and exploring the vast lands, waters, and inner Coastal Plain of North Carolina.
As the son of two public servants - his mother, a nurse for nearly 30 years, and his father, a retired Colonel with the North Carolina National Guard, Vietnam veteran, and former agricultural extension agent - Michael Regan went on to follow in his parents' footsteps and pursue a life of public service.
Prior to his nomination as EPA Administrator, Michael Regan served as the Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
As Secretary, he spearheaded the development and implementation of North Carolina's seminal plan to address climate change and transition the state to a clean energy economy. Under his leadership, he secured the largest coal ash clean-up in United States history. He led complex negotiations regarding the clean-up of the Cape Fear River, which had been contaminated for years by the toxic chemicals per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS). In addition, he established North Carolina's first-of-its-kind Environmental Justice and Equity Advisory board to better align social inequities, environmental protection, and community empowerment.
Previously, Administrator Regan served as Associate Vice President of U.S. Climate and Energy, and as Southeast Regional Director of the Environmental Defense Fund where he convened energy companies, business leaders, environmental and industry groups, and elected officials across the country to achieve pragmatic solutions to the climate crisis.
He began his career with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, eventually becoming a national program manager responsible for designing strategic solutions with industry and corporate stakeholders to reduce air pollution, improve energy efficiency and address climate change.
Throughout his career, he has been guided by a belief in forming consensus, fostering an open dialogue rooted in respect for science and the law, and an understanding that environmental protection and economic prosperity go hand in hand.
Administrator Regan is a graduate of the North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, making him the first EPA Administrator to have graduated from a Historically Black College and University. He earned a master's degree in Public Administration from The George Washington University.
He and his wife Melvina are proud parents to their son, Matthew.
Janaye M. Ingram is the Director of Community Partner Programs and Engagement for Airbnb, a global platform that connects travelers with unique homes and experiences around the world, while creating economic and entrepreneurship opportunities for Hosts. In this role, she oversees the company’s strategic engagement with multicultural communities, organizations and stakeholders including leading the company's civil rights engagement and leads the company’s $100M Community Fund. She previously served as Director of National Partnerships and Director of 21st Century Communities Initiatives with the company.
Prior to her roles at Airbnb, Janaye planned the original Women's March on Washington in 2017, serving as the Head of Logistics for the global actions, in addition to being a founder of Women’s March, Inc. She also previously served as the National Executive Director of the civil rights organization National Action Network (NAN), Senior Development Officer with Project Enterprise, a microfinance nonprofit in New York City, and held positions with an EducationWorks, an educational and family support nonprofit in New Jersey and AmeriHealth Caritas (formerly AmeriHealth Mercy), a multi-state Medicaid insurance company in Philadelphia.
Janaye’s work has landed her on many lists, including being named one of the 2017 Glamour Magazine Women of the Year along with her fellow Women’s March organizers, The #Woke100 by ESSENCE Magazine and christened one of the Female Faces of the New Civil Rights Movement by Black Entertainment Television in addition to appearances and features in media outlets, including: NBC, ABC, CBS, MSNBC, Vogue, Elle, The Cut, New York Magazine, Forbes, Refinery 29, W Magazine, ESPN, TV One, The Huffington Post, and Newsone, among others.
Janaye holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Clark Atlanta University and a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from The New School University. She currently serves as a member of the AARP Innovators Council, a Sephora Equity Advisor, has been a fellow with National Urban Fellows: America’s Leaders of Change, a global fellow with the international leadership program, Give1 Project and is a board member for several nonprofit organizations.
George “Conscious” Lee is a dynamic orator, innovator, educator, and influential content creator. His work sits at the intersection of media, socio-political issues, and popular culture. Lee is “purposefully provocative” as a tool to elevate and educate around pertinent topics of his generation through social media content, speaking engagement, lectures and online courses. Lee believes: You cannot change what you don’t know needs to be changed. His work aids people in uncovering what needs to be changed and equips them with the tools on how to change. The starting point is “consciousness.” His style provokes dialogue and conflict meant to inspire transformation. Lee has developed a brand of educational entertainment that translates an understanding of oppression, consciousness, intersectionality, and gender identity to both the TikTok generation and baby Boomers alike.
Born in Bryan, Texas to incarcerated parents, Lee overcame childhood adversity to attend the University of Oklahoma where he received a Bachelor’s and two Master’s degrees while becoming one of the top college debaters in the country. He was a member of the first African-American duo to become number one seed in the National Debate Tournament, where they were touted for their unique introduction of hip hop to to sustain sophisticated arguments. Lee’s masterful knowledge of Hip Hop culture and his academic expertise across African-American Studies, Human Relations and Higher Education enable him to connect across audiences and deliver impactful results through Conscious University. Lee has also led dozens of workshops and taught at more than six educational institutions.
Conscious Lee has a dedicated, engaged audience of over 3M across TikTok, IG, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. His work was recognized as a 2022 receipt of YouTube’s Content Creator Choice award. In 2022, he was also nominated for his first NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Social Media Personality and was selected in the second creator class of YouTube’s Black Voices Fund. . His views have garnered millions of views and been featured in Forbes, Essence, the Washington Post, Yahoo Life, The Atlantic, Business Insider and The New York Times. He has partnered with organizations including BET, YouTube, University of Kentucky, and many more! In his free time Lee enjoys traveling, attending trail rides in rural Texas and creating memories with his family.
Garrison Hayes is an award-winning filmmaker, journalist, and entrepreneur amplifying stories that change the world.
With over 600,000 followers across platforms, Garrison has emerged as an influential voice at the intersection of history, culture and progress, earning him a 2024 Webby Award for Best Creator on Social Media.
Garrison’s innovative storytelling situates the headlines of today within the historical context that informs them, landing appearances on MSNBC’s The Reid Out, Yahoo! News, Forbes and more.
Garrison Hayes is a Correspondent for the Mother Jones newsroom, covering race, politics and progress. When not creating, Garrison enjoys spending time with his family, on the golf course with friends, and playing pickleball with his lovely wife, Simone.
Kimberlé W. Crenshaw, Co-founder and Executive Director of AAPF and Faculty
Director of the Center for Intersectionality and Social Policy Studies (CISPS) is a
pioneering scholar and writer on civil rights, critical race theory, Black feminist legal theory, race, racism, and the law. She is the Isidor and Seville Sulzbacher Professor of Law at Columbia Law School and the Promise Institute Chair on Human Rights at UCLA Law School.
Crenshaw is a widely cited scholar whose writing has appeared in the Harvard Law Review, Yale Law Review, the National Black Law Journal, the Stanford Law Review, and the Southern California Law Review. Crenshaw’s groundbreaking work on Intersectionality was influential in the drafting of the equality clause in the South African Constitution. She was the special rapporteur for the Expert Meeting on Gender and Race Discrimination and coordinated NGO efforts to ensure the inclusion of gender in the World Conference in Racism’s Conference Declaration.
Crenshaw is a co-editor of Critical Race Theory: The Key Writings That Formed the Movement and assisted on the legal team representing Anita Hill at the confirmation hearing of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
Crenshaw is also the author of Say Her Name, Black Women’s Stories of State
Violence and Public Silence, and co-author of Black Girls Matter: Pushed Out,
Overpoliced, and Underprotected. Crenshaw is a sought-after speaker who conducts workshops and trainings on intersectionality and structural racism around the world. Crenshaw has facilitated workshops for human rights activists in Brazil and India and for constitutional court judges in South Africa and elsewhere.
Crenshaw received AALS Triennial Award for Lifetime Service to Legal Education from the Association of American Law Schools, the 2021 Ruth Bader Ginsburg Lifetime Achievement Award by the Women's Section of the Association of American Law Schools, and Lifetime Achievement Aways from Planned Parenthood, the ERA Coalition, and was voted one of the ten most important thinkers in the world by Prospect Magazine. She also received the 2023 Winslow Medal from the Yale School of Public Health, has been named the 2023 W.E.B Du Bois Medalist at Harvard University, and was the recipient of the New Press Social Justice Award. Crenshaw’s Intersectionality Matters! ranks among the top 5 percent of podcasts, and her internet series “Under the Blacklight: The Intersectional Vulnerabilities that Covid Laid Bare,” received a WEBBIE recognition. She is a frequent contributor on MSNBC and NPR. She currently sits on the boards of Sundance Institute and the Algorithmic Justice
League.
Kristin McGuire is the Executive Director for Young Invincibles, a national nonprofit dedicated to amplifying the voices of young adults in the political process. Kristin brings years of community organizing and policy change expertise to her role. As a first-generation college student from a single-parent household — she is driven by a deep understanding of the needs of under- resourced communities and has helped shift power to young adults from these communities over the last decade. An active member of her community, Kristin is the first Black school board member elected to the Charter Oak Unified School Board, and currently serves as board president. Her upbringing, family values, and commitment to the community ensure educational success for youth at every level and from diverse backgrounds.
Gia Greenidge is the Region 2 Youth Board Member of the National Board of Directors. Greenidge is from Saint Albans, Queens, and has been a part of the NAACP since she was thirteen years old in the Jamaica Youth Council Unit 2810. Greenidge then went on to charter a chapter at SUNY Cortland Unit 29AW.
Commissioner William McCurdy II was elected to the Clark County Commission in 2020 and sworn in for his first term on Jan. 4, 2021. He was selected by his peers to serve as vice-chairman of the Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 2, 2024. Commissioner McCurdy previously served two terms (2016-2020) in the Nevada State Legislature as the representative for Assembly District 6.
During his tenure as Assemblyman, he was elected as the first African American and youngest chair of the Nevada State Democratic Party. Significant legislation introduced by McCurdy improved Education, Public Safety, Healthcare and Economic Development. While at the Legislature, he served as vice chairman of the Government Affairs Committee and was a member of the Commerce and Labor and Legislative Operations and Elections committees. Additionally, he served on the Homeland Security Commission.
Prior to his service in the Nevada Legislature, McCurdy was an organizer with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) where he elevated to state political director. He also was very engaged during his years at the College of Southern Nevada where he was elected student body president. While there he fought against tuition increases and worked to secure thousands of dollars in student scholarships to ensure education was within reach for many desiring to achieve their dreams.
McCurdy is a native Las Vegan, born in the very Commission District he now proudly represents. He holds an Associate’s degree from the College of Southern Nevada and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Urban Studies from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He plans to attain a law degree in the future.
McCurdy enjoys spending time with family, especially attending sporting events with his two sons.
Aalayah Eastmond is a 2019 graduate of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL. On February 14, 2018, she was in the third classroom attacked by a gunman who murdered 17 students and staff. Turning pain to action, Aalayah has dedicated her life to preventing gun violence in America. She has been specifically vocal about the chronic gun violence that affects young Black people daily, which is particularly important to her because her uncle was shot and killed in Brooklyn, NY. She has spoken at the March For Our Lives, testified before the Senate and House Judiciary Committees, and participated in the March on Washington. She is currently the Culture & Community Engagement Manager for Team ENOUGH & Brady, as well as national spokesperson. Aalayah is also the co-founder of Concerned Citizens D.C., and a graduate of Trinity Washington University in Washington, D.C.
Food-styling guru Elle Simone Scott is a trailblazer who manages to
make food both stunning and approachable. She shapes the visual
aesthetic for the Cook’s Country brand and her work appears across ATK
media platforms. Elle was recently a judge on America’s Test Kitchen:
The Next Generation, which aired on Amazon Freevee, and is an
on-screen test cook for America’s Test Kitchen. Elle is the star of a
new show currently in production — Entertaining with Elle showcases her
skills as a cook, a teacher, and a stylist and will premiere in 2024.
Elle provided food styling and expert advice for Boards: Stylish
Spreads for Casual Gatherings (2022), a best-selling, highly regarded
Cookbook, as well as her newest release, Food Gifts: 150+ Irresistible Recipes for Crafting Personalized Presents.
In addition to her role as an executive editor at America’s
Test Kitchen, Elle also uses her platform and her organization SheChef
to advocate, mentor, and inspire other women of color in the food
space.
Elle has appeared on Good Morning America, The Food Network, Food
Network Magazine, The Cooking Channel, The Katie Couric Show, The
Chew, and Bravo’s Chef Roble and Co. Elle has also been the subject of
feature stories in the Boston Globe, Forbes, and Eater and on the Tom
Joyner Morning Show and National Public Radio.
Chiquita Brooks-LaSure is the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), where she oversees programs including Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance Marketplaces.
A former policy official who played a key role in guiding the ACA through passage and implementation, Brooks-LaSure has decades of experience in the federal government, on Capitol Hill, and in the private sector.
As deputy director for policy at the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and earlier at the Department of Health & Human Services as director of coverage policy, Brooks-LaSure led the agency’s implementation of ACA coverage and insurance reform policy provisions.
Earlier in her career, Brooks-LaSure assisted House leaders in passing several health care laws, including the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 and the ACA, as part of the Democratic staff for the U.S. House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Committee.
Brooks-LaSure began her career at the Office of Management and Budget, coordinating Medicaid policy development for the health financing branch. Her role included evaluating policy options and briefing White House and federal agency officials on policy recommendations with regard to the uninsured, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
In 2023, Modern Healthcare named her the most influential person in health care, and Time included her in the 100 most influential global leaders in health.
Brooks-LaSure received her Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) in Politics from Princeton University, and her Master’s Degree in Public Policy from Georgetown University. She is married with one daughter.
Randi Weingarten is president of the 1.7 million-member AFT, which represents teachers; paraprofessionals and school-related personnel; higher education faculty and staff; nurses and other healthcare professionals; local, state and federal government employees; and early childhood educators. The AFT is dedicated to the belief that every person in America deserves the freedom to thrive, fueled by opportunity, justice and a voice in our democracy. This freedom is achieved through an economy that works for all, including the ability to form a union; great public schools and affordable higher education; healthcare as a right; retirement security; the right to vote and civil rights; a vibrant democracy; and safe, welcoming and healthy environments and communities. The AFT and its members advance these principles through community engagement, organizing, collective bargaining and political activism, and especially through members' work — we care, fight, show up and vote.
NEA president Becky Pringle is a fierce social justice warrior, defender of educator rights, an unrelenting advocate for all students and communities of color, and a valued and respected voice in the education arena. A middle school science teacher with 31 years of classroom experience, Becky is singularly focused on using her intellect, passion, and purpose to unite the members of the largest labor union with the entire nation, and using that collective power to create the racial and social justice that form the building blocks of education justice.
Vanessa serves as the Vice President of Marketing at the NAACP, headquartered in Baltimore, MD. Since her time at NAACP, she has primarily been responsible for communicating the historic organization's federal advocacy and policy initiatives through digital campaigns, media relations, and integrated marketing.
Born in Brooklyn, NY Jimel Calliste attended High School for Civil Rights and Law on Thomas Jefferson Campus. Jimel is a young activist who has dedicated much of his life to defending the rights and improving the lives of the underserved. As President of the Bloomsburg University NAACP, he led the founding committee in chartering the collegiate chapter. He led critical campaigns for voting registration and diversity amongst campus students, faculty, and staff.
Keisha Deonarine is a prominent figure in the field of social justice work and community advocacy. She is currently leading as Director of Opportunity, Race, and Justice at the NAACP, where she oversees the organization's national inclusive economy strategy. Keisha's work centers around driving transformative change with a racial equity lens, specifically aimed at advancing the progress of Black and Brown economy.
Michael Jai White is an American actor, director and martial artist. He was the first African American to portray a major comic book superhero in a major motion picture, starring as Al Simmons, the protagonist in the 1997 film Spawn. White appeared as Marcus Williams in the Tyler Perry films Why Did I Get Married? and Why Did I Get Married Too?, and starred as the character on the TBS/OWN comedy-drama television series Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse. He portrayed Jax Briggs in Mortal Kombat: Legacy and the Cyborg Seth in Universal Soldier: The Return. Michael also portrayed boxer Mike Tyson in the 1995 HBO television film Tyson. He also wrote and played the title role in the blaxploitation parody film Black Dynamite. Most recently Michael directed and starred in Outlaw Johnny Black, and currently appears as Julius ‘Caesar’ Jones in Kingdom Business on BET.
A former high school star athlete, an actress, a health and fitness advocate, a wife and a mother, Gillian White personifies the notion that women can indeed have it all.
On January 16, in Los Angeles, California, a rising star was born. Gillian’s rare beauty rests in the unique blend of her African American, Irish and Blackfoot Indian descent. From the very beginning, Gillian had a natural passion for entertaining and athletics. In middle school and high school, Gillian starred in several stage productions. She was also an active cheerleader and star player and captain for her basketball team at John Muir High School. As an honors student, Gillian excelled academically and in 1992, she left Los Angeles and headed east to the prestigious HBCU Howard University in Washington, D.C. where she studied Human Communication with a focus on Interpersonal Relations and Dramatic Arts.
At the age of 19, Gillian’s captivating allure caught the eye of famed music video director, Hype Williams and the budding model was cast to star as LL Cool J’s love interest in the music video for his hit single, Hey Lover, featuring Boyz II Men. The video’s heavy rotation and mass appeal would not only make Gillian an on-campus sensation, but ultimately a star.
Not long after, Gillian landed her first big role on the big screen in Russell Simmons How To Be A Player, opposite comedian Bill Bellamy. In just a few months, Gillian’s rising star earned her a big part on the hit sitcom, Martin, where she gained many more fans playing Rhonda, Cole’s snobby girlfriend.
Career on fire, Gillian would go on to guest star on other hit television shows, including The Wayans Brothers, The Parkers, My Wife & Kids, Malcolm & Eddie, Ghost Whisperer and For Your Love. She also appeared in the major motion pictures, Quentin Tarantino’s Jackie Brown and Spike Lee’s Bamboozled. In 2000, Gillian starred as the Amazon warrior, Amoria in the long running, hit series Xena: Warrior Princess. By 2007, she garnered a recurring role as the love-to-hate villain, China Lee on the hit daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives. In 2015, Gillian guest starred on Nick at Nite’s The Exes, TV One’s Love That Girl and Nickelodeon’s hit show Sam & Cat, where she played the top MMA fighter, Rita Rooney.
In 2016, Gillian returned to the big screen as the female lead in Sony Pictures Never Back Down: No Surrender playing a top publicist for a big fight organization opposite acting veterans Esai Morales and Michael Jai White.
With more recent guest starring role on ABC’s Black-ish, and a recurring role on CBS’s longtime running soap opera The Young and The Restless, as well as roles on NCIS, In The Cut and Strange Angel, Gillian can also be seen playing the role of the sole female psycho terrorist in the Universal Pictures action film Welcome To Sudden Death premiering on Netflix, where she has a major fight scene doing her own martial arts stunts. She also played the heavy recurring role of US Press Secretary Diane Wilmont on Tyler Perry’s BET White House TV drama The Oval (Season 1 and 2) and took on the task of Producer on Samuel Goldwyn’s comedy western Outlaw Johnny Black.
2021 brought about Gillian’s first major lead role in the 101 Films International action thriller Take Back. Gillian plays the role of Zara, a lawyer whose quiet small-town life with her husband and daughter is disrupted when her secret past catches back up to her, her daughter is kidnapped by sex traffickers and Zara must fight to save her daughter’s life. Also starring Mickey Rourke, this film makes history by making Gillian the first African American female lead martial arts action star.
Adding more action to her resume in 2022, Gillian guest stars as an underground MMA fight champion in the Warner Bros pilot for the FOX network, The Cleaning Lady.
Gillian stars in the new action drama The Island that was released summer of 2023 and joined the cast on Season 2 of the hit BET+ gospel tv drama Kingdom Business as a recurring guest star. Her latest role is starring in the new high powered action comedy Trouble Man! with Michael Jai White, Method Man, Mike Epps and Orlando Jones set to be released Fall 2024.
Gillian White is definitely one to watch. Her versatility from dramatic and comedic acting roles to kicking ass in action films not only shows her talent, but her incredible wide range as an actress.
Gillian currently resides in Los Angeles, CA with her husband, fellow actor and action film star and martial artist, Michael Jai White and their three beautiful daughters, Alaia, Niahla and Morgan. She trains daily in martial arts and boxing with her husband.
Left do it, Right do it! 310babii has the WORLD goin' up to his hit single SOAK CITY, crowned as the soundtrack to every NFL, NBA & Soccer celebration, #1 song on the Rhythmic and Rap airplay chart with #19 weeks on Billboard's HOT 100 & RIAA certified PLATINUM. During his senior year in high school 310babii released his debut album, "nights and weekends" feat. BIA, Luh Tyler, Tyga, DDG & more. A week after graduating high school he was the youngest artist to perform at the sold out Forum for Kendrick Lamar's "Ken and Friends" concert. 310babii and Ohgeesy recently announced their 22 city tour and their most recent single "rock your hips" is #6 on Billboard's Tik Tok charts.
Van is an Oscar-winning executive producer, established television and podcast host, author, and media personality proudly from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He began his career at TMZ as a tour guide in Los Angeles and worked his way up to become a cohost and senior producer at TMZ Live. Van won an Academy Award for executive producing and being a leading force in the creation and production of the short film that was the talk of the 2021 Oscars, TWO DISTANT STRANGERS. He is currently a podcast host of multiple series at The Ringer, such as HIGHER LEARNING alongside Rachel Lindsay, THE WIRE: WAY DOWN THE HOLE with Jemele Hill, and a consistent guest on series such as: The Bill Simmons Podcast, THE PRESTIGE TV PODCAST, THE RINGER-VERSE, and many more. Van also published his debut novel in April 2022 with Hachette Book Group, titled FAT, CRAZY, AND TIRED: TALES FROM THE TRENCHES OF TRANSFORMATION. It's a sharp, funny, and brutally honest cultural critique of the unspoken obstacles and anxiety that keeps us from maintaining good health in America's "wellness wasteland" and is explored through vignettes about his mental health and weight loss journey as a Black man. To be released later this year, Van will also be the host of the 50-Cent produced eight- part series called HIP HOP HOMICIDES, premiering on WE tv, and streaming.
An Emmy Award winning journalist, Jemele Hill is the Co-founder of Lodge Freeway Media and a contributing writer for The Atlantic. On October 25, 2022, Henry Holt and Company published Hill’s memoir, UPHILL: A Memoir. In this character-rich, unapologetically provocative memoir, Hill reveals her tumultuous childhood, complicated family dynamics, and her life-saving journey into journalism. In April of 2019, Hill debuted Jemele Hill is Unbothered on Spotify. The two-time Webby award-winning podcast features in-depth, thought-provoking conversation with some of the biggest newsmakers across entertainment, culture, music and politics. Hill also explores topical and controversial issues with humorous, candid commentary. In 2022, Jemele Hill is Unbothered, won two NAACP Awards for Outstanding Podcast in the Arts and Entertainment and Society and Culture categories. Previous Unbothered guests include, Vice President Kamala Harris, Ava DuVernay, Common, Ice Cube, Spike Lee, Gabrielle Union, Chelsea Clinton, Dan Rather, Stephen Colbert, Issa Rae, Taraji P. Henson, and Soledad O’Brien. Unbothered was not Hill’s only contribution in the podcast arena. On April 15, 2020, Hill along with Van Lathan launched the podcast, The Wire: Way Down in the Hole. The podcast breaks down every episode on the HBO classic series. The hosts recap each show, break down signature moments, scenes, and characters. In addition to breaking new ground as a podcaster, Hill also continued her celebrated television broadcasting career. In 2020, Hill and her longtime friend, former ESPN anchor Cari Champion, launched a weekly, late-night show on Vice Network called Cari & Jemele: Won’t Stick to Sports. The show covered politics, sports, news, current events, and pop culture. Hill is also stretching her muscles behind the camera. She is executive producer of former NFL quarterback and civil rights activist Colin Kaepernick’s documentary, which will air on ESPN and is directed by legendary filmmaker Spike Lee. She also is currently developing a comedy series with acclaimed actress Gabrielle Union. Hill’s 20-plus year journalism career has included stops at the biggest sports media network and several reputable newspapers. She originally joined ESPN in 2006 as a national columnist for espn.com. Her profile gradually rose as she began to make appearances on television, including SportsCenter, First Take, Around the Horn, The Sports Reporters and Outside the Lines. She also spent a season as a sideline reporter for ESPN college football games. Her foray into daily television began in 2013, when her and co-host Michael Smith began the daily, sports discussion show, His & Hers, which sprang from their popular podcast of the same name. In February 2017, Hill and Smith co-anchored the 6 p.m., SportsCenter, which debuted as a more personality-driven approach to the traditional SportsCenter. After her stint as SportsCenter host, Hill was a senior columnist for The Undefeated, ESPN’s sub-site that focuses on the intersection of sports, race, culture and politics. She eventually left ESPN in September 2018 and then a month later, she began writing about those same intersections for the highly-acclaimed socio-political magazine, The Atlantic. Before joining ESPN, Hill was a sports columnist for the Orlando Sentinel from 2005–06 – the lone African American female sports columnist at a daily newspaper in North America. From 1999-2005, she served as a sportswriter with the Detroit Free Press covering Michigan State football and basketball. Hill began her professional career in 1997 as a general assignment sportswriter for the Raleigh News & Observer. In August 2018, the National Association of Black Journalist awarded Hill with Journalist of the Year Award. In July 2016, Hill participated in Emmy Award winning The President and the People: A National Conversation – a one-hour town hall with President Barack Obama on race relations, justice, policing and equality. A native of Detroit, Hill graduated from Michigan State University in 1997 with a degree in journalism. In November of 2019, Hill married Ian Wallace.
GRAMMY® winner, Multiple Dove & Stellar Award-winning artist & songwriter. Singing since age 9, at 36 yrs of age, Kierra is already a veteran. Kierra is the daughter of Karen Clark Sheard (of the renowned Clark Sisters) & Bishop J. Drew Sheard (Sr. pastor of GEI COGIC-Det, MI). Kierra Sheard-Kelly, a renowned artist, entrepreneur, and actress, unveils her seventh studio album, "All Yours," following her chart-topping 2020 release,"KIERRA." Collaborating with industry powerhouses, including family members and notable singers like Mali Music and Jekalyn Carr, the album is a genre-blurring masterpiece filled with transparent testimony and compelling lyrics. Beyond music, Sheard-Kelly excels in acting, recently starring in the acclaimed biopic "The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel." She also founded Eleven60, a clothing line for curvy women, authored two devotional books, and runs a women's ministry called SistHer. Despite her multifaceted career, she remains committed to impacting lives positively through her work, aiming to inspire, uplift, and bring people closer to God.
Tony Waller is Vice President, Constituent Relations and Racial Equity for Walmart in Bentonville, AR. In his position he sets strategy for driving reputation, augmenting outreach opportunities, and maximizing social investments in diverse and multicultural communities. His portfolio includes the African American, Hispanic, Asian American & Pacific Islander and Native American communities as well as Women, LGBTQIA+, People with Disabilities and Emerging Generations. Tony is also tasked with being a critical “integrator” engaging across Corporate Affairs teams, with real depth in helping to shape public policy, communication strategy, federal and state government relations, and community relations through a racial equity lens. Additionally, Tony and his team help lead efforts to expand the company’s racial equity work across all the diverse and multicultural communities of focus. Tony joined Walmart December 2006.
Serving is extremely important to Tony. He has always been taught that to give real service you must add to the world something that cannot be bought or measured with money. Tony currently serves on the board of the National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship. He previously served as Chair of the NAACP ACT-SO Advisory Council. His passion for the empowerment and advancement of women, has led him to serve on the Board of Trustees of Center for Asian Pacific American Women. Tony also served on the Board of Directors of the National African American Women’s Leadership Institute. With both organizations he was the first male ever selected to serve. In 2017 Tony was elected Chair of the Board of Directors of the National Black Child Development Institute and currently serves as Chair Emeritus. He served on the City of Bentonville’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Board. Tony also served on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Board for the University of Arkansas. A graduate of the University of Virginia, he is a diehard WAHOO. He remains highly active with THE University and served on the board of the Walter N. Ridley Scholarship Fund, named after its first African American graduate.
Tony is an ardent supporter of the arts and fashion. He serves on the executive committee of the Board of Directors and co-chairs the Corporate Leadership Council of the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville, AR. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for Interform, an organization focused on self-sustaining design-led fashion and art industry in Northwest Arkansas. In addition, Tony serves on the advisory board of Springclean, a nonprofit social enterprise whose mission is to create jobs and reduce landfill space by repurposing donated textile materials. Tony also serves on the board of Soles4Souls, an organization that turns unwanted shoes and clothing into opportunity, by keeping them from going to waste and putting them to clever use – providing relief, creating jobs and empowering people to break the cycle of poverty.
In 2024, Tony was one of the recipients of the Governor’s Arts Awards presented by the Arkansas Arts Council. He received the Patron Award for his contributions to, and advocacy for, the arts in Arkansas. In 2023 he was honored with the Focus Award from LA Focus Magazine, for his longstanding support of diverse and multicultural communities. In 2022 Tony was honored by the Black Action Collective of NW Arkansas with the Esther Silver-Parker Corporate Trailblazer Award, in recognition for his exceptional dedication, innovation, careful work, wise diplomacy, commitment, and resilience to uplifting and building a better future for African American and underserved communities. In 2019 Tony was honored with the President’s Award at the Centennial Celebration of the Corpus Christ Branch of the NAACP. Tony has been the recipient of the Donald H. McGannon Award twice, the highest distinction given by the National Urban League to a corporate individual in recognition of one’s efforts in the community. Tony is the only individual who has received this honor multiple times. The American Indian College Fund honored Tony by ceremonially draping him with a blanket, a symbol of respect and admiration of the Native American community. Additionally, he has been awarded with the Made Man Award by 100 Black Men of Washington, DC. The award celebrates men who inspire and educate underserved men.
He is a passionate collector of Black art & sculpture, Latina art, antique watches, vintage cufflinks, eyewear, children’s story books and quotes. Shoes however are his kryptonite.
Tony strives to live each and every day by the words of his mother, Barbara Jean Motley Waller, “Keep flowing with The River for The River knows exactly where It is going.”
My work in food justice has deep roots in my early experiences in the kitchen. Inspired by my grandmothers, I developed a love for cooking and pursued culinary school. However, my journey into community work began even earlier, at the age of 11, when I started volunteering—a commitment that has remained a constant in my life.
After completing culinary school, I gained valuable experience working in various restaurants across Las Vegas. This exposure not only honed my culinary skills but also opened my eyes to the issue of food insecurity, a problem that affected my own community and myself. It was ironic to prepare gourmet meals while knowing that my neighborhood, which needed five grocery stores, had only one.
My growing awareness of these complexities led me to delve deeper into the origins and cultivation of food. I sought employment at a local community garden, where I soon began running programs, including the city's first mobile farmers market. I organized community meals, food distributions, and taught classes on food preparation and growing techniques.
However, non-profit work didn’t cover the cost of living and I needed to help support my family , so I returned to the food industry. In 2020, the pandemic hit, and I lost both jobs in one day. Undeterred, I continued my community efforts, volunteering at pantries and shelters, and delivering food to homebound seniors and immunocompromised individuals.
In 2022, I shared my insights at a TEDx community event called "Succor the Southwest." My talk, "How Localizing Food Systems Can Help Save the World," highlighted the benefits of local agriculture and the potential for permaculture principles to create sustainable, resilient communities.
Eventually, I was commissioned to build an urban farm for The Obodo Collective in Las Vegas’s Historic Westside, our most food-insecure communities in Clark County. Despite having no staff and limited funds, I successfully produced over 1,500 pounds of food in one year on just half an acre of land.
Through these diverse experiences, I have been able to merge my culinary background with my passion for food justice and community work, making a tangible impact on food security and sustainability in my local community.
LaChandra White was appointed to the UAW, International Staff in 2008. Currently, she is the Administrative Assistant, Office of the President, UAW, and most recently served as the National Political Director. She was also a past director of the Civil and Human Rights Department and Retired Workers Department Representative.
LaChandra has been a proud UAW member and activist for 31 years, and hails from UAW Region 1, Local 869, Chrysler's Warren Stamping Plant, in Warren, Michigan. Her first involvement was on the Local Union's Election, Education and Women's Committees.
LaChandra earned a master's degree in Organization Management from Spring Arbor University and a labor certificate from the Wayne State University Labor Studies Program.
LaChandra has served on several boards, including; Delta Dental, Economic Alliance of Michigan (EAM), and the Greater Detroit Area Health Council (GDAHC) Community Health Improvement Committee.
LaChandra is a member of various constituency groups and social organizations. She also serves as a precinct delegate.
LaChandra resides in the great state of Michigan, has one beautiful daughter, Chanice, who is also a proud UAW member and is a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Ecorse, Michigan.
LaChandra is a "Servant Leader" in the labor movement and her mission is to advance the cause of social and economic justice for working people and their families.
Rev. Dr. Regena Thomas is a native of Clinton, Kentucky and an Itinerant Elder in the A.M.E. Church. She is a graduate of Morehead State University with a B.A. in University Studies, a M.Div. from New Brunswick Theological Seminary, and a DM from Wesley Theological Seminary. Rev. Thomas worked in State Government in Kentucky and local government in the District of Columbia. She is the founder of her own political consulting firm and an expert in voter turnout for Democratic candidates. Her extensive experience includes Director of Community Engagement for the Democratic National Committee (DNC), Deputy Campaign Manager of the National Education Association, Secretary of State, State of New Jersey and Base Vote Director. Additionally, Rev. Thomas worked for twelve years for the National Rainbow Coalition and its founder, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, during his historic bids for the presidency in 1984 and 1988. She is currently the Director of Human, Civil and Women’s Rights for the American Federation of Teachers. Rev. Thomas is recognized nationwide as a strategist and organizer and pledges to utilize her extensive experience to help build the broad-based coalitions and other programs necessary to strengthen and advance New Jersey’s cultural resources. Her calling is to serve God and His people with fervor.
Fredrick D. Redmond is the secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO. On June 13, 2022, he was unanimously elected to the position as the highest ranking African American officer in the history of America’s labor movement. AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond was first elected to this position by the AFL-CIO Executive Council on Aug. 20, 2021. He filled the vacancy of the executive vice president position from March to June 2022. He has served on the federation’s Executive Council since 2008. Redmond’s path to the federation’s second-highest office began in 1973, when he went to work at Reynolds Metals Co. in Chicago and became a member of the United Steelworkers (USW). He was active in his local union almost immediately, serving as shop steward and eventually vice president. He served three terms as local president. In 1996, Redmond joined the USW staff, working with local unions in the Chicago area before accepting a position at the international union’s headquarters in Pittsburgh in 1998. For decades, Redmond served the USW in various staff and leadership roles, assisting local unions, developing and conducting training programs, and bargaining contracts. As international vice president for human affairs, a position to which he was first elected to in 2006, Redmond oversaw the union’s Civil and Human Rights Department and worked with USW allies across the country in responding to attacks on voting rights and in combating economic inequality. Redmond has spent his entire life fighting for racial justice in the workplace and throughout our communities. In 2016, he was appointed to Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs, and in 2020, Redmond was tapped to chair the AFL-CIO Task Force on Racial Justice, a body focused on taking concrete action to address America’s long history of racism and police violence against Black people. Redmond has served on the boards of directors of Working America, the community affiliate of the AFL-CIO; TransAfrica Forum; the Workers Defense League; the National Endowment for Democracy; the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists; Interfaith Worker Justice; and, since 2007, has served as chair of the board of directors of the A. Philip Randolph Institute. In 2021, Redmond was elected president of the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas, a prestigious international post.
As the son of a single teenage mom, Jaime Harrison was raised by his grandparents in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Jaime knows what it’s like for a family to have to choose between paying the electric bill and putting food on the table, and what it feels like to go to sleep in a home with no heat, because the power was shut off. But thanks to a good public school education, the love of his family, and the support of his community, Jaime was able to earn a scholarship to Yale University and attend Georgetown Law. After college, Jaime came back home to Orangeburg to teach at his old high school, then worked to help empower disadvantaged kids to attend college. Jaime also served as an aide to legendary South Carolina Congressman Jim Clyburn. In 2013, Jaime was elected the first African American chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party, a position he held until 2017, when he was appointed by DNC Chair Tom Perez as an Associate Chair of the DNC. In 2020, Jaime ran for the U.S. Senate from South Carolina, building a national grassroots movement and setting a fundraising record for the most raised by a Senate candidate. Jaime and his wife Marie live in Columbia, South Carolina, where they raise their two young sons.
Julie Su became Acting Secretary of Labor on March 11, 2023. She was previously confirmed by the Senate to serve as the deputy secretary of labor on July 13, 2021. As deputy secretary, she served as the de-facto chief operating officer for the department, overseeing its workforce, managing its budget and executing the priorities of the secretary of labor. Prior to joining the U.S. Department of Labor, Acting Secretary Su served as the secretary for the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency. The LWDA enforces workplace laws, combats wage theft, ensures health and safety on the job, connects Californians to quality jobs and career pathways, and administers unemployment insurance, workers compensation and paid family leave.= Su is a nationally recognized expert on workers' rights and civil rights who has dedicated her distinguished legal career to advancing justice on behalf of poor and disenfranchised communities and is a past recipient of a MacArthur Foundation "genius" grant. As California labor commissioner from 2011 through 2018, Su enforced the state's labor laws to ensure a fair and just workplace for both employees and employers. A report on her tenure released in May 2013 found that her leadership resulted in a renaissance in enforcement activity and record-setting results. In 2014, she launched the first "Wage Theft Is a Crime" multimedia, multilingual statewide campaign to reach out to low-wage workers and their employers to help them understand their rights and feel safe speaking up about labor law abuses. Prior to her appointment as California labor commissioner, Acting Secretary Su was the litigation director at Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Los Angeles, the nation's largest non-profit civil rights organization devoted to issues affecting the Asian American community. Su is known for pioneering a multi-strategy approach that combines successful impact litigation with multiracial organizing, community education, policy reform, coalition building and media work. Frequently named to top-lawyer lists such as the Daily Journal's "Top 75 Women Litigators" in California and California Lawyer's "Super Lawyers," she was the first labor commissioner to be included among the Daily Journal's "Top 75 Labor and Employment Lawyers." She has also been named one of the 50 most noteworthy women alumni of Harvard Law School and one of the 100 most influential people in Los Angeles in Los Angeles Magazine. Su has taught at UCLA Law School and Northeastern Law School. She is a graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Law School and began her career with a Skadden Fellowship. Su speaks Mandarin and Spanish.
Ray Curry is the Immediate Past President of the United Auto Workers, UAW, International Union. He served in that role from June 28, 2021, through March 26, 2023, representing 1.1 million active and retired members in various sectors of automotive, aerospace, defense, agriculture, construction, education, heavy truck, and health services. President Curry became a UAW member in July 1992, when he was hired as a truck assembler at Freightliner Trucks in Mount Holly, North Carolina, (now Daimler Trucks, NA) after serving in the U.S. Army for three years on active duty and five years in the US Army Reserve. In 2004, Curry was appointed to the UAW International Staff where he serviced UAW contracts in aerospace, automotive (Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors facilities), heavy truck, and numerous independent parts supplier locations in the states of Alabama and Tennessee while assigned to UAW Region 8. He was appointed UAW Region 8 Assistant Director in 2010. He was later elected Director of UAW Region 8 and became a member of the UAW International Executive Board in June 2014. A 31-year UAW member, Curry was elected UAW Secretary-Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, at the 37th Constitutional Convention in June 2018. In this role, he was instrumental in the implementation of broad financial ethics reforms and oversight as part of the UAW's Ethics Reforms Initiative. A longtime grassroots activist, Ray Curry is a Diamond Life member of the NAACP and member of the NAACP National Board of Directors since 2019. A North Carolina native, he is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration / Finance. Additionally, he holds an MBA degree from the University of Alabama.
Robin worked as a food and office clerk at the Georgetown Safeway in Washington, D.C. for 13 years where she was a union member of UFCW Local 400. In 1986, she began her union activism as a safety coordinator and shop steward for the Local. She was a leader in signing up members for UFCW Active Ballot Club. In 1995 and 1996, she worked as a Special Project Union Representative with the Local to help sign up non-members in the "right to work" state of Virginia. Later she worked with the Local organizing team to bring a voice on the job to nursing home workers in Maryland. In 1997, Robin became a full-time organizer and union representative with UFCW Local 400. In 2003, she was a lead coordinator in the "Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride," which brought together tens of thousands of immigrant workers and immigrant rights activists in a tour throughout the United States to demand respect for immigrant workers' rights. She was appointed Community Affairs Coordinator at the Strategic Affairs Department of Local 400 in 2004, where she was responsible for developing community and religious allies for organizing, collective bargaining, fighting Walmart, and educating the public about UFCW issues. In July 2005, Robin became the Associate Director of the Civil Rights and Community Action Department and was elected International Vice President in February 2015. As a community leader, she helped develop the DC Jobs with Justice Interfaith Worker's Coalition and the DC Workers' Rights Board. She serves as an Executive Vice President of the UFCW Minority Coalition and is a trustee on the board of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. Robin is also a board member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI), and the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference (SDP). Robin has received numerous awards and honors for her tireless efforts on behalf of workers and communities. She has been recognized by the AFL-CIO Washington Metropolitan Central Labor Council, Jobs with Justice, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, and has received the NAACP "Keeper of the Flame" award.
Claude Cummings Jr. was elected president of the Communications Workers of America by delegates to the union’s 79th convention on July 10, 2023. Prior to his election as president, Cummings served as an at-large member of the CWA’s Executive Board, then as Vice President of CWA District 6, representing workers in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. He also led the Human Rights Department for the union. Cummings began work at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company (now AT&T) in 1973 and worked as a Frame Attendant and Communications Technician, maintaining systems for NASA, among other corporate customers. Prior to his election to District 6 Vice President he was President of CWA Local 6222 representing more than 8,000 members, having served previously in other leadership positions in the local, including Vice President. Cummings was the first Black man elected to all of these positions. As District 6 Vice President Cummings led negotiations for CWA Bargaining committees across the District which have led to wage increases, better medical benefits, signing bonuses, job security and additional jobs for the bargaining unit members. He currently serves as Vice President of the CWA Minority Caucus which ensures the voices of minority groups within CWA are heard. He serves as 1st Vice President of the NAACP Houston Chapter, 2nd Vice President Texas State NAACP Conference, Executive Board Member of the National NAACP Labor Committee, Texas AFL-CIO Executive Board Member, Push Democracy Forward Executive Board Member (a faith-based non-partisan organization that focuses on protecting our Democracy), while also serving as President of the Harris County Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, Trustee for the National Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, At large member of A. Phillip Randolph Institute Executive Board, Member of Texas Coalition of Black Democrats, Harris County Democratic Party member, Texas Progressive Executive Council member of Southern Christian Leadership Conference, The Rainbow Coalition, and National Action Network. A leading voice in local and state politics, Cummings worked for passage of a state law to enable AT&T to provide video services to customers, which led to the hiring of thousands of new unionized technicians across the country to install the new video service. He also served as a delegate to past Democratic National Conventions. He is a longtime community activist, supporting and directing civil rights efforts. During his career, he has been a strong advocate for jobs with livable wages in this country, in 2016 addressing the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington D.C. urging them to vote against trade bills that move jobs out of this country adversely affecting communities and Labor Unions. He often meets with Civil Rights Leaders to address the need for Labor and the Civil Rights Movement to work together to encourage Congress to pass Pro Labor Legislation that will build the middle class in this country. He hosts a weekly radio show “Power To The People” that addresses labor and political, and social issues around the country, and a monthly radio show with the NAACP that addresses labor and civil rights issues. Over the past 11 years, he has worked with other organizations to organize robust and innovative GOTV programs in order to elect worker-friendly candidates in CWA District 6 and other states. His dedication has led him to work with Rev. William Barber and the Poor People's Campaign and with great pride represented CWA at the 50th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday, speaking at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. He is a proud supporter of World Youth Organization, Sickle Cell Association of Houston, Helping Hands to the Community, The Sisters Network, Communities Together, Acres of Angels, SHAPE Community Center, Faces of Our Children, Kashmere Former Athletes Association, The Black Heritage Society, Harris County Democratic Women, Black Women’s PAC, the Coalition of Labor Union Women, serving for many years as Chairman of the Board of Faith Revitalization, Inc., working tirelessly with any organization to help the community in times of need. He has received awards of recognition from many of these organizations. He is a 1970 graduate of Kashmere High School, where he was Senior Class President, graduating with honors. Following graduation he attended Tuskegee Institute. He serves as Chairman of the non-profit organization He Heard My Cry Ministries, Inc. and Chairman of Deacons at He Heard My Cry Christian Fellowship Church. He is a member and manager of the National Recording Artist and Award Winning Gospel Group Endurance of Houston.
Lee Saunders is the president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, with 1.4 million members in communities across the nation, serving in hundreds of different occupations – from nurses to corrections officers, child care providers to sanitation workers. He was elected at the union’s 40th International Convention in June 2012. Saunders, the first African American to serve as AFSCME’s president, was previously elected secretary-treasurer at the union’s 39th International Convention in July 2010. Saunders grew up in a union household in Cleveland, Ohio. This inspired him to join the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association (OCSEA) when he began working for the Ohio Bureau of Employment Services in 1975. His father was a bus driver and a member of the Amalgamated Transit Union. His mother was a community organizer and, after raising two sons, returned to college and became a community college professor and a member of the American Association of University Professors. Saunders began his career with AFSCME in 1978 as a labor economist. He has served in the capacities of assistant director of Research and Collective Bargaining Services, director of Community Action and deputy director of Organizing and Field Services. Saunders also served as executive assistant to the president of AFSCME and was responsible for managing what is acknowledged to be one of the most effective political and legislative operations in the history of the American labor movement. AFSCME’s fundraising clout, member mobilization and lobbying expertise are unmatched in the ranks of the AFL-CIO and beyond. Under Saunders’ leadership, the union has launched a program called AFSCME Strong that builds power through internal and external organizing and recognizes the individual contributions AFSCME members make to serving and strengthening their communities. The program is credited with growth in AFSCME membership despite current challenges faced by the labor movement as a whole. He has served as administrator of a number of AFSCME councils and large local unions across the country. For nearly four years, he served as administrator of AFSCME District Council 37, New York City’s largest public employee union, representing 125,000 members. In that capacity, he was successful in restoring the fiscal health, integrity and good name of the council and its 56 affiliated local unions. Saunders serves as a vice president of the AFL-CIO Executive Council, which guides the daily work of the labor federation; he also serves as chair of its Political Committee. He is an at-large member of the Democratic National Committee, president of Working America and treasurer of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. He also serves as a board member of Priorities USA and the Democracy Alliance. He received a Master of Arts degree from Ohio State University in 1974, a year after earning his Bachelor of Arts degree from Ohio University. Saunders and his wife, Lynne, live in Washington, DC. They have two sons, Lee Jr. and Ryan, three grandsons and one granddaughter
Kyra Mitchell is a young emerging leader, civil-rights activist, scholar, and Saginaw, Michigan native. She is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University with her Bachelors of Business Administration, with a concentration in Accounting. She currently works at Boston Consulting Group as an associate. She also currently serves as the Region 3 NAACP Youth Board member and President of the Michigan State Conference Youth and College Division. She previously served as the Chairman of the National Youth Work Committee for 2 consecutive terms. During her time at Eastern Michigan, she served as Vice-President of Eastern Michigan University's Black Student Union and the National Association of Black Accountants. She also served as the Director of Diversity and Community Outreach for Student Government. Throughout her time in the NAACP, Kyra has worked with various units across her state and region to implement training, ensure units have the resources they need, and ultimately expand the NAACP's reach to communities that need it. She uses her platform in the NAACP to advocate for women's rights, criminal justice reform, Black political power, and many other areas. With this platform, she was able to work with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights and the Michigan Department of Education to create a racial equity program for township and city managers across the state of Michigan. In 2019, Kyra received the Diversity and Inclusion Award from her school due to her efforts to change the culture on its predominantly white campus and educate minority students on the power they have. In 2020, she was recognized by her university with the Martin Luther King Student Award alongside their state Governor, Gretchen Whitmer for her work around campus and in the community to help fulfill Dr. Martin Luther King's dream.
Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley is the president and chief executive officer for National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) and brings 21 years of experience in healthcare, diversity, equity, & inclusion (DEII), government affairs, and executive leadership. She is also the founding principal and CEO of R.E.A.C.H. Beyond Solutions, a public health, advocacy, and executive leadership firm promoting DEI, political and organizational strategy, risk management, government affairs, and technical assistance. Prior to starting R.E.A.C.H., she served as senior advisor and director of external engagement during the Obama Administration in the Department of Health & Human Services for the 19th U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy. Before her tenure in the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General, at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) headquarters, Rev. Arline-Bradley served as the executive vice president of strategic planning & partnerships, as well as former chief of staff. She is a community advocate serving in leadership capacity in the following organizations: Delta for Women for Action, NAACP Board of Directors Health Committee, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., National Social Action Commission, and Oprah Winfrey Network initiative “OWN Your Health.” In addition, she is an active member of American Public Health Association, Links, Inc., and Jack & Jill of America, Inc., just to name a few. Further in 2024, Rev. Arline-Bradley became the youngest to keynote the Martin Luther King, Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service, the world-renown annual celebration of Dr. King’s birthday, organized by the King Center. A southern New Jersey native, she earned her undergraduate degree in exercise science and master’s in public health from Tulane University in New Orleans, La. She also graduated from the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University with a Master of Divinity, where she too became an ordained minister. Rev. Arline-Bradley completed an Executive Certificate of Business Management from Howard University and an Executive Certificate in Diversity & Inclusion from Cornell University. Rev. Arline-Bradley is a lover of all-things sports, music, and an avid resort traveler. Most important to her are her faith and family, as she enjoys being a wife to Andrew Bradley and mother of two children.
Jotaka Eaddy is an award-winning strategist, advocate, host and connector who Forbes Magazine describes as the “Olivia Pope of Silicon Valley.” With more than 20 years of experience in policy, advocacy, and movement building, Jotaka is a highly sought after speaker and strategist whose accomplishments include: her trailblazing election as the University of South Carolina’s first Black Woman Student Body President and her groundbreaking work that led to the abolition of the juvenile death penalty in America though the 2005 landmark US Supreme Court decision in Roper Vs Simmons. Not to mention, her pivotal leadership as Senior Advisor to the NAACP where she led Initiatives to expand and defend voting rights through state legislative wins and executive orders, all before her bold and successful transition to the C- suite of Silicon Valley and the private sector. As the Founder and CEO of Full Circle Strategies, LLC -, Jotaka leads a team of individuals committed to advancing transformative change and global impact for clients seeking to advance policy, ideas, and change. Her clients and work has included advising Oprah Winfrey: OWN Network’s award winning OWN Your Vote Campaign; advising and managing external strategies to engage diverse communities for global telecom firms; supporting the expansion of tech policy and platform changes aimed at increasing inclusive tech for some of the world’s largest tech companies and venture firms, advising the launch of Goldman Sachs’ One Million Black Women Initiative which created an historic one billion dollar investment in Black women and leading the historic grassroots marketing campaign for the launch of the The Color Purple Musical Film - which opened with the second highest Christmas Day release in history, among other projects. In 2020 Jotaka founded the movement #WinWithBlackWomen, an intergenerational, intersectional group of Black women leaders representing business, sports, movement, politics, entertainment, and beyond who come together within their personal capacities to stand united in support of Black women. The network, which has garnered more than 1 billion organic impressions on social media is credited with making a significant impact on pivotal moments and issues including supporting the election of the nation's first Black women Vice President, supporting the confirmation of the nation's first Black women US Supreme Court Justice, supporting the efforts for the safe return of Brittney Griner, and advancing the power and image of Black women in film, television, movement and culture. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
Secretary-Treasurer Winston is a driven labor leader with more than two decades of experience. Winston has worked her way up through the union leadership, starting as a cashier in a Detroit casino in 1999. Before being elected as International Union Secretary-Treasurer, Winston served as International Union General Vice President, and President of UNITE HERE Local 24, Michigan and Ohio, where she led the daily operations including contract enforcement, collective bargaining, new organizing, and political organizing.
Winston has led the Union through several successful strikes in recent years to win breakthrough agreements for hospitality workers, including the 2018 Westin Book Cadillac strike and the 2023 Detroit citywide casino strikes, which both yielded some of the highest raises in the history of the Detroit hospitality industry. Winston also led a 2021 strike for union recognition of baristas in Detroit’s coffee shop industry.
Winston is also a member of UNITE HERE’s Black Leadership Group, which is focused on promoting Black leadership in the union. She currently serves on the Joint Employer Procurement Advisory Board for the City of Detroit, the Mayor’s Workforce Development Committee for the City of Detroit and the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau Board.
She is a graduate of Wayne State University’s Labor Studies Program, and in September 2016 President Winston was honored with the Wayne State University Labor Education Rising Star Award. In February of 2018, she was awarded Labor Leader of the Year from the Michigan African American Institute. In 2021, Winston was named one of Crains 100 Most Influential Women in Michigan—the first woman of color in labor to be named to the list. Winston is the first woman of color to hold the office of International Union Secretary-Treasurer in UNITE HERE’s 130-year history and serves alongside the first woman elected the office of President, Gwen Mills.
Reverend Dr. Wendell Anthony is a native of St. Louis, Missouri. He was educated in the Detroit Public School system. He graduated from Wayne State University with a B.A. in Political Science and Marygrove College with an M.A. in Pastoral Ministry. He attended the University of Detroit for advanced study in Black Theology. Rev. Anthony is a Certified Social Worker with the State of Michigan. On May 12, 2007, Rev. Anthony was the keynote speaker for the Graduation Class of Marygrove College at which time the Board of Trustees conferred upon Rev. Anthony the degree of Honorary Doctor of Arts. In 2022, Wayne State University conferred upon Rev. Anthony the degree of Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa. He became the Pastor of Fellowship Chapel in December 1986 following the passing of Reverend James E. Wadsworth, Jr. Through the grace of God and the labor of his ministry, the church has experienced the greatest growth in its 55-year history. Through its James E. Wadsworth, Jr. Community Center, Fellowship Chapel has a full-time outreach ministry with programs ranging from health and wellness, youth mentoring and development and job training. Rev. Anthony is the developer of the Isuthu Institute (Coming into Manhood Rites of Passage Program) for boys ages 6-18, dealing with African American male responsibility. It is one of the oldest mentoring programs of its kind in the country. He also initiated its female counterpart, the Intonjane Institute (Coming into Womanhood Rites of Passage Program) for girls ages 6-18. Currently, Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony is a member of the NAACP National Board of Directors. In addition, he is serving his 15th term as President of the Detroit Branch NAACP, a position he has held for 28 years. The Detroit Branch NAACP is the largest branch in the country. It hosts the largest sit-down dinner in the nation, bringing at least 10,000 persons to gather every year to celebrate and commemorate the struggle for social justice, freedom, and equality. He is the founder of the Freedom Institute for Economic, Social Justice, and People Empowerment, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, which also sponsors the annual Freedom Weekend in the city of Detroit. He is also the founder of the Fannie Lou Hamer Political Action Committee, a grassroots community-oriented organization that supports issues and candidates often overlooked by those in the traditional political arena. Reverend Anthony is the originator of the Take Your Souls to the Polls voter registration and mobilization program. This was initiated to bring about greater youth involvement in the electoral process. He is also the recipient of numerous awards and recognition, locally and nationally. Among them are the Samuel Dewitt Proctor Conference How Beautiful Are Thy Feet Award and the 2021 NAACP Image Award for Activist of the Year. During the pandemic of 2020, Reverend Anthony led and coordinated the Connected Futures Program with business and corporate leaders. This program raised $23 million to provide laptop and Wi-Fi connectivity for 51,000 students, grades K-12, in the Detroit Public Schools Community District. It serves as a model for the nation. On June 5, 2005, Reverend Anthony led his congregation, community and business leaders, government officials, supporters, and well-wishers in a procession to the new Fellowship Chapel called The Village, for its grand opening and inaugural worship service. The Village contains the new church and soon-to-be-developed 140 units of multi-family homes and senior citizen residencies. This is a $60 million-dollar project which will result in the building of a new community.
For over four decades, William (Bill) Lucy has been at the forefront of the labor movement in American and around the world. As International Secretary-Treasurer of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) for nearly 40 years, Lucy helped the union grow from 200,000 to over 1.4 million members in 3,500 local unions nationwide. He also helped define the role of African Americans in the labor unions when he co-founded the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) in 1972. Along the way, he has stood alongside the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in civil rights struggles and Nelson Mandela in opposition to apartheid. Lucy co-founded the Free South Africa Movement, a grassroots campaign that sparked widespread opposition to apartheid across the United States. After the release of Nelson Mandela — the South African leader who had been imprisoned by the apartheid government for 27 years — Lucy led a fundraising effort to bring Mandela on a United States tour. Four years later, when South Africa had its first post-apartheid elections, Lucy went as part of an AFL-CIO monitoring delegation. After twenty years of fighting apartheid, Lucy was present when Mandela was elected the first black president of South Africa. Throughout the 1990s Lucy continued to move through the upper ranks of international labor. In November of 1994 he was elected president of Public Services International (PSI), the world's largest union federation. The first African American to hold this position, Lucy oversaw 10 million members from over 100 nations. In 1995 the AFL-CIO appointed Lucy to its executive council, the federation's highest decision-making body. He also served as vice president for several of the AFL-CIO's departments including the Industrial Union, Maritime Trades, and Professional Employees. In addition Lucy served on the boards of directors of civic groups such as the African America Institute, Americans for Democratic Action, and the Center for Policy Alternatives. Though his name is not as well known as King and Mandela, Lucy has carved out a legacy based on living wages, health care benefits, and job safety. And like these famous men, Lucy's legacy lives on through the lives of hundreds of thousands of working families around the world every day. Ebony magazine frequently cites Lucy as one of "The 100 most Influential Black Americans." Lucy has two children, Benita Marsh and Phyllis Manuel.
Bobby Bivens has demonstrated exceptional commitment to enhancing the relationship between the NAACP and the labor movement through his longstanding efforts in advocating for economic development and opportunities for marginalized communities. As President of the Stockton Branch and the Economic Development Chair of the CA/HI State Conference, Bobby Bivens has played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between the NAACP and labor organizations. Throughout his career, Bobby Bivens has worked tirelessly to educate and empower Westside residents, providing pathways to living wage jobs and economic stability. His collaboration with Operation Second Chance and dedication to securing federal funding for community projects exemplifies his commitment to fostering positive relationships between the NAACP and the labor movement. Bobby Bivens's role as a key figure in advocating for economic equity and sustainable growth aligns closely with the goals of both the NAACP and the labor movement. His strategic initiatives, such as engaging with organizations like the Rise Economy and attending workshops on economic development, highlight his active involvement in promoting economic opportunities for communities of color. By advocating for policies such as the new Community Reinvestment Laws for banks and participating in discussions with key stakeholders like Mechanics Bank, Bobby Bivens has showcased his ability to build bridges between different sectors for the betterment of all involved. His collaboration with Wells Fargo Bank to implement a housing down payment program demonstrates his dedication to creating tangible benefits for first-time home buyers in underserved communities.
Brendien Mitchell is the Associate Director of Human Rights & Community Relations for the American Federation of Teachers. He supports the union's national civil and human rights agenda, lead staff for initiatives addressing African American and LGBTQIA+ issues, regional community organizer for the Southern region, and supports national community-labor campaigns to promote AFT’s vision for real solutions and a better life. He has worked across electoral, grassroots, and legislative campaigns for various national organizations, candidates, and causes, including: the People for the American Way Foundation, Andrew Goodman Foundation, Congressional Progressive Caucus, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, Rep. Elijah Cummings, Rep. Mark Pocan, State Voices, and, most recently, served as senior advisor for Karla Hernandez-Mats, a union middle school teacher and the Democratic nominee for Florida Lieutenant Governor in 2022. He received an early introduction into the social justice movement at age 10 when he helped reactivate his local NAACP youth council, and since has served in various leadership roles within the historic organization, including: president of his youth council, President of the FL Youth & College Division, a member of the national board of directors for 5 years, chair of the National Youth Work Committee, vice chair of the National Education and Image Awards committees, and member of the Executive Committee. He is also a proud 4-year participant and 3-time national NAACP ACT-SO medalist in Oratory, earning Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals. Mitchell is a proud Howard University alumnus, where he served as president of the Howard University Student Association. He is most proud to share his passion for civil rights with his family – an “NAACP household” – his mother, Yvette, his first youth advisor & the Secretary of the FL State Conference; his sister, Francesca, a member of the National Board of Directors and President of the NC Youth & College Division; and, brother, Colin, President of the FL Youth and College Division. He particularly attributes his success to the support of his village of NAACP and civil rights family – Chairman Leon W. Russell, Sannye Jones, Adora Obi, Nweze, Robin Williams, and Rev. Regena Thomas. A true believer in democracy and fighting for a better, more equal America for all, Brendien ascribes to the words of Marian Wright Edelman, “Service is the rent we pay for being.”
Tom Savage is President and a subscribing Gold Life member of the Cookeville Putnam County Branch NAACP. He was elected in November of 2021 to serve as Vice President of the Tennessee State Conference NAACP. As Vice President, Mr. Savage works very closely with the State President Gloria J. Sweet-Love, other State Officers and Unit leadership across the state, region and nation to implement advocacy programs addressing equity in Health, Education, Climate, Criminal Justice, Voting Rights, along with other civil rights and social justice issues. In 1970, Tom was hired at Cummins Filtration in Cookeville and joined the United Auto Workers. Upon returning to civilian life after his service in the United States Navy, he returned to work at Cummins and he was the first elected African American officer in the UAW Local Union 1407 as Vice President and was elected three times as a delegate to the UAW Constitutional Convention. He continued with Cummins for 32 years until 2002. In 2002, Tom was appointed as UAW International Representative and continued in that position until his retirement in 2018. He was very active in organizing unions throughout the southeastern United States and was assigned to the UAW Civil Rights & Human Rights Department as the International Representative and within the UAW Education Department. Currently, he volunteers with the United Auto Workers as an community outreach representative for UAW Region 8. He travels extensively representing the UAW at various events and speaks across the region. With Tom's assistance, the NAACP Tennessee State Conference has strengthened its relationship with the Labor Community. In September 2023, they collaborated with United Auto Workers and the employees of General Motors to call for new contract demands that included increase pay and to re-establish retiree medical benefits. In April of 2024, under his leadership, they also participated in the campaign where hourly workers at Volkswagen’s plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, overwhelming voted to join the United Auto Workers. This was a major breakthrough in the union’s effort to organize workers at plants nationwide.
Charles F. Spencer was born the ninth child of James and Burnell Spencer and raised in the East 21st Street Community, one of the poorest areas in the City of Jacksonville. Interestingly, his home was within a few blocks of the Talleyrand waterfront and the longshoreman loading docks. He was elected President of the International Longshoremen’s Association, Local 1408 in Jacksonville December 20,1984. He served in that capacity for 15 years before being elected Executive Vice President of the ILA South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District. Today, Mr. Spencer serves the International Longshoremen’s Association in the capacity of International Vice President and Executive Vice President Emeritus of the South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District, I.L.A. He also serves as Vice President, Florida AFL-CIO. In addition, Mr. Spencer is a Founding Director of the Jacksonville Bank, President of Spencer’s Designer Florist, Gifts & Arrangements, Inc. He is recognized nationally for his work as an accomplished labor and community leader. Mr. Spencer has a passion for helping people and lives out the motto… “to do all you can… for as man as you can… while you can” by author Clara White, Jacksonville Community Leader.
Ashanta K. Gleason, born in New Orleans but primarily raised in Baton Rouge following Hurricane Katrina, embodies resilience and advocacy deeply rooted in her Louisiana upbringing. Currently pursuing a degree in history with a minor in psychology, her academic journey fuels her passion for educational reform and equity.
Since high school, Ashanta has been actively engaged in civic activism, focusing on issues such as the scarcity of black male educators in public schools. Her commitment extends beyond research, as she has worked with organizations like Humanities Amped, Brothers Empowered To Teach, The Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, Black Voters Matter, and E Pluribus Unum Fund, dedicated to building power in education and promoting equity in communities. After her first year of presidency at the Southern University chapter of NAACP, under her leadership, Southern University was named the 2023 College Chapter of the Year at the 114th NAACP National Convention and was awarded the opportunity for the Race and Justice award. Additionally, Ashanta was honored with the inaugural Brock/Boykins-Towns Leadership award at the same convention.
Furthermore, in 2023, Ashanta was selected as an inaugural member of NextGen America's Gen10 cohort, highlighting young organizers, activists, artists, and voices for change that are making a difference in the movement for societal change. Her leadership roles within the NAACP and recognition from NextGen America showcase her dedication to amplifying marginalized voices and driving societal change.
Ana Mascareñas now Counselor to the Secretary was the inaugural Senior Advisor for Environmental Justice to Admiral Rachel Levine, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Assistant Secretary for Health. Throughout her career, Ana has been a tireless advocate for equity and justice in marginalized communities, spanning government roles, academia, and non-profit organizations. From 2015 to 2021, she served as the first Assistant Director for Environmental Justice at the California Environmental Protection Agency's Department of Toxic Substances Control. Prior to that, from 2008 to 2013, she served as Membership Coordinator and later as Policy and Communications Director at Physicians for Social Responsibility-Los Angeles. Ana graduated from Brown University with bachelor's degrees in Human Biology and Sociology and earned her MPH in Environmental Health Sciences from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health in 2015. Her commitment to social justice is deeply rooted in her family history, including her ancestors who were California farmworkers, and her legacy as the proud daughter of public school educators.
Marc is a Principal and mechanical engineer with PAE. He has led the mechanical and energy-systems design for many of the world’s most prominent net-positive energy buildings, including the Bullitt Center, Rocky Mountain Institute Innovation Center, the Kendeda Building at Georgia Tech, and the PAE Living Building. Marc holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Washington and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Portland.
Dr. Jamese Sims is an innovative, strategic, and servant and transformative leader. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Thee Anomaly, LLC, a meteorology consulting firm, and the creator and host of Thee Anomaly Podcast. Dr. Sims provides technical, strategic, and policy guidance on artificial intelligence to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and she is co-chair of the Data Access and Archive Working Group under the NOAA Science Advisory Board.
Dr. Sims is the former Director of the National Weather Service (NWS) Office of Science and Technology Integration (OSTI) Modeling Program. The OSTI Modeling Program Team is responsible for supporting a vast array of NWS numerical weather prediction/modeling and research initiatives to improve weather forecasts. Dr. Sims administered a $24M budget, funding programs to accelerate and advance the development of new models, and foster collaboration among NOAA research scientists, federal labs, operational forecasters and the academic community. Examples of funded program areas include efforts to improve guidance for hurricane track, intensity, and storm surge forecasts; development of an end-to-end air quality forecast capability; advancing research to extend forecast skill beyond 8-10 days; and implementing a weather-scale, fully-coupled numerical weather prediction system.
Dr. Sims also served as the NOAA Senior Science Advisor for Artificial Intelligence (AI). In this role, Dr. Sims championed and strategically guided the establishment of the NOAA Center for Artificial Intelligence to advance the agency’s portfolio to support AI research, development and applications. Her guidance and leadership has accelerated innovation, leading to transformative improvements to the suite of numerical weather prediction models and forecaster products and services that save lives and property before, during, and after severe weather events. In 2020, Dr. Sims established and chaired (2020-2022) the NOAA Science and Technology Synergy Committee to coordinate strategic planning of NOAA’s emerging science and technology focus areas including: Artificial Intelligence, ‘Omics (Genomics), Uncrewed (Autonomous) Systems, Cloud Computing, Data, and Citizen Science. This committee has charted the way forward, allowing NOAA to achieve dramatic improvements in performance and efficiency across each agency mission area.
From 2019-2021, Dr. Sims served as Co-chair of the NOAA Diversity and Professional Advancement Working Group (DPAWG), a NOAA-wide employee resource group (ERG) focused on the recruitment, retention and advancement of underrepresented groups within the NOAA workforce.
Dr. Sims has served as an associate editor for the Artificial Intelligence for the Earth System (AIES) Journal of the American Meteorological Society (AMS), and a member of the AMS Committee on Satellite Meteorology, Oceanography and Climatology. As an expert in the fields of atmospheric sciences, artificial intelligence, satellite meteorology, algorithm engineering, and peer mentoring, Dr. Sims has delivered technical briefings to executives, partners, and various audiences at national and international conferences. Her work is often featured in scientific journals, webinars, and podcasts produced by the Federal News Network, Google, NASA-TV, NPR, and additional live recordings, tapings and articles.
Dr. Sims received her B.S. in Meteorology from Jackson State University, and Ph.D. in Atmospheric Sciences from Howard University.
Anyeley is a real estate developer with 20 years of experience in the built environment. She is the founder of Adre, an equity-centered development company formed with the purpose of developing projects that create social and economic benefits for groups that traditionally lack access to real estate ownership and investment. Adre is a certified woman-owned, minority-owned, and emerging small business in the State of Oregon.
For 12 years, Anyeley was a partner with project, a Pacific Northwest development company, where she focused on shepherding projects through entitlements and construction. During her tenure, she delivered over $110M in award-winning sustainable market-rate housing, student housing, homes for sale, retail, and offices for mission-driven organizations. Of note is her role
as development lead for the R&D for Framework, the first wood high-rise to be permitted in the United States and a catalytic force in the U.S mass timber industry. Her project for the headquarters of Meyer Memorial Trust, one of Oregon’s largest foundations, received an ULI Americas Award for Excellence for being a top 10 development in North and South America.
Anyeley is an alumna of Cornell University, MIT, and Harvard University. The Urban Land Institute named her “40 under 40,” as one of the best young land-use professionals from around the globe and Grist 50 identified her as an emerging leader in climate, equity, and sustainability. She currently serves as Chair of Oregon’s Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) and Chair of the US Green Building Council (USGBC).
Mr. Braggs was born and raised in Wilmington, NC and became active in politics and community service at an early age. He served three consecutive terms on the Wilmington City Council as a Youth Member. In the community, he organized his local youth council and became its president. Shortly, thereafter, he helped to organize the District Youth Council and became its president. At the age of 16, he was elected Southeast U.S. Regional Youth Council Treasurer. In high school he was editor of the newspaper, member of the yearbook staff, drama club, and inducted into the National Honor Society.
Dr. Hazel N. Dukes is President of the NAACP New York State Conference and a member of the NAACP National Board of Directors, a member of the NAACP Executive Committee and well as an active member of various NAACP board sub-committees. Dr. Dukes is a woman of great strength and courage. Her dedication to human rights and equality is exemplified by her role linking business, government and social causes. Dr. Dukes is an active and dynamic leader who is known for her unselfish and devoted track record for improving the quality of life in New York State.
A harsh system of civil and human injustice persists; intimidation, violence, and the recent rash of "nooses," speak to the widespread de facto absence of a civil and human rights agenda in America says Dukes, and the fires of frustration continue to burn.
Dr. Dukes is President of the Hazel N. Dukes & Associates Consultant Firm, specializing in the areas of public policy, health and diversity.
Dr. Dukes is a member of the Assembly of Prayer Baptist Church where she served as Executive Assistant to the Pastor, is a member of the Board of Trustees and teaches the Adult Sunday School.
Dr. Dukes received a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Adelphi University, Garden City, New York and completed post-graduate work at Queens College. In 1990 she was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from the City University of New York Law School at Queens College and in 2009 was conferred the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, Medgar Evers College, Brooklyn, New York. In 2012 she was awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, Harlem New York. Dr. Dukes has many organizational affiliations; she is former President of the Metro-Manhattan Links Chapter, in 2010 was appointed the National Links NGO Representative and is a former trustee of the State University of New York and Stillman College. Dr. Dukes is a member of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., and National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, INC.
Dr. Dukes is the recipient of numerous awards for her outstanding leadership activities, Ellis Island Medal of Honor, YWCA City of New York John La Farge Memorial Award for Interracial Justice, Guy R. Brewer Humanitarian Award, and the 2007 The Network Journal's 25 Most Influential Black Women in Business Award, member Ford Motor Company Funds Committee of Honor for Freedom's Sisters, was honored and received a Proclamation at the New York City Council's Third Annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Awards ceremony at City Hall in New York. Dukes is an active member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Northern Manhattan Alumnae Chapter and has been selected to receive the sorority's Althea T.L. Simmons Social Action Award in August 2010. Dr. Dukes was Incorporated in 2007 as a Pi Eta Kappa Fellow and her biography has been selected for publication in many journals and directories including Fisk University Library, Minority Women Contribution, American Biographical Institute Personalities of Northeast, Who's Who Among American Women and Who's Who Among Black Women.
". . . if I can help somebody as I pass along; then my living shall not have been in vain."
NAACP board of directors member, Rick L. Callender has served on the Resolutions Committee for more than 20 years. He also serves as president of the California/Hawaii NAACP State Conferences, which boasts 74 branches and youth units. From 2000 to 2008, Callender served as president of the San Jose-Silicon Valley NAACP branch.
Callender is the Chief Executive Officer of Valley Water where he oversees an integrated water resources system that includes the supply of clean, safe water; flood protection; and environmental stewardship of waterways for Santa Clara County's 1.9 million residents.
He has worked for Valley Water since 1996, serving most recently as the Chief of External Affairs. As the CEA, he led Valley Water's efforts in strategic external communications to the media, community, and the public. Rick also oversaw all government relations efforts on local, regional, state, and federal levels and public policies that directly affect Valley Water.
Prior to joining the district, Callender worked as a Special Assistant to former City of San Jose Mayor Susan Hammer. He also served as a Field Campaign Organizer for the California Democratic Party, Congressional Fellow for the United States House of Representatives, Subcommittee on Energy, and as a Congressional Fellow to Congressman Ronald V. Dellums.
Growing up in San Jose, Callender earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering and Technology with an emphasis in electronic and computer technology from California State University, Chico. He completed all coursework for his Master of Arts in Public Administration from San Jose State University, earned his Juris Doctorate from Northwestern California University School of Law, and is a member of the California State Bar. Callender also attended and graduated from eight executive leadership programs at different universities throughout the nation.
During his nearly 20 years in philanthropy, Dr. Dwayne Proctor has always worked to ensure that American communities were healthy and thriving. Before becoming president and CEO of the Missouri Foundation for Health in 2021, he served in a variety of roles at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. In 2002, he joined as a senior communications and program officer, providing strategic guidance and resources for several child health and risk-prevention initiatives such as Nurse-Family Partnership, Free to Grow, Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol-Free, Partnership for a Drug-Free America, and the National Campaign to Prevent Teenage Pregnancy.
In 2005, Dr. Proctor was tapped to lead RWJF's national strategies to reverse the rise in childhood obesity rates. In this role, he worked with his colleagues to promote effective changes to public policies and industry practices, test and demonstrate innovative community and school-based environmental changes, and leverage sustainable changes using both "grassroots" and "treetops" advocacy approaches to educate local and national leaders on their roles and opportunities to prevent childhood obesity.
Prior to RWJF, Dr. Proctor was an assistant professor at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine where he taught courses on health communication and marketing practices to reach multicultural populations. During his Fulbright Fellowship in Senegal, West Africa, his research team investigated how HIV/AIDS prevention messages raised awareness of AIDS as a national health problem. Dr. Proctor received his doctoral, master's, and bachelor's degrees in marketing and communication science from the University of Connecticut. He is the former chairman of the board of directors for the Association of Black Foundation Executives and currently is the chairman of the board of trustees for the NAACP Foundation.
Dr. Proctor is excited to have recently moved to Missouri, specifically being drawn to the state's vibrant social culture and arts communities. He is devoted to his family, which includes two daughters, his father, sisters, brothers, and a large, loving extended family.
Latoya is the Chief Development Officer of the Public Education Foundation where she serves as an ambassador and principal fundraiser for the nonprofit which supports teachers, students, and families of the Clark County School District. She secures resources to support our teachers to reduce the amount of money that they spend out of their own pockets, fundraises for the PEF Scholarship PLUS program which raises $7million annually towards post-secondary scholarships, and works to gain support financially for the Teacher Fast Track Program, which aims to reduce the current teacher shortage which directly impacts the education of our youth. Latoya previously served as the Director of Community Projects & Community Outreach for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Foundation, which fundraises to support the fallen officers fund, provides community safety programs, and works to strengthen the relationship between the community and our police officers. Latoya led and coordinated all marketing and DEI initiatives. Latoya also served as an official media spokesperson for the LVMPD Foundation.
Latoya is a founding member of the Human Rights Campaign Las Vegas (HRC). HRC is the largest LGBT civil rights organization in the country with more than 4 million members. Latoya has been serving on the board in numerous capacities for 16 years. She currently serves as a member of the National Board of Directors and is a member of the National Executive Committee for HRC, lending her voice as a proud African-American ally, business woman and advocate to the Equality Movement. Latoya was a member of the cultivation committee which helped fundraising efforts for what is now the Robert L. Forbuss LGBT Center. She has also delivered multiple keynote speeches at HRC galas and corporate diversity programs, bothlocally and across the country. As an extension of her work as a national LGBTQ advocate, Latoya serves as Vice Chair to Jim Obergefell (Supreme Court -Obergefell v. Hodges) for WebQ, which is an organization that represents LGBTQIA+, and allied communities, to cultivate systemic equity in the design of startups, emerging technologies, institutions, and policies.
With a passion for civil rights, Holman has worked with NAACP Chapter# 1111. As a former member of the NAACP Executive Committee, Latoya spearheaded scholarship fundraising efforts in support of the post secondary educational journey for young students of color on behalf of the NAACP. As the creator of the Inaugual Juneteenth Jubilee (a program that is now presented by the Public Education Foundation of Nevada), Latoya worked along side leadership to connect the corporate community leaders with the mission of the historic organization, building long lasting partnerships that resulted in over $100,000 in ongoing going funding and in kind support.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a lifelong Michigander focused on getting things done that will make a real difference in people’s lives.
She has signed over 1,250 bipartisan bills and five balanced budgets. From cutting taxes for seniors and working families to put hundreds of dollars back in their pockets and investing in schools to improve student outcomes to fixing 20,000 lane miles of the damn roads, Governor Whitmer delivers on the fundamentals.
By lowering the cost of job training and higher education, cutting red tape for permitting and redevelopment, and competing with other states and nations, Governor Whitmer has made Michigan one of America’s best states to do business, attracted investments from around the world, and maintained a strong credit rating.
Since day one, her administration has gone everywhere and worked with anyone to make Michigan the best state to live, work, and invest. Whether you’re a family looking to start a life with more affordable health care and housing, a business looking to expand with a skilled workforce, or a young person seeking a path to a brighter future with more personal freedoms, Governor Whitmer is focused on building a safer, more welcoming Michigan with a place for you.