2023 NREI Summit Program Book

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Washington DC Tuesday, November 14, 2023 9: 0 0 AM – 3: 0 0 PM ET

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#CBCFNREI

Greetings, Welcome to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s National Racial Equity Initiative for Social Justice Summit—a convening of experts, thought leaders, community organizers, emerging leaders, and Congressional Black Caucus members.

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The National Racial Equity Initiative for Social Justice (NREI) was established in 2020 as the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s (CBCF) pledge to bolster its work in advancing racial justice, combating systemic injustice, and increasing economic development opportunities for the Black community. The NREI is housed in our Center for Policy Analysis and Research (CPAR) and focuses on cultivating a space for developing research, programming, and proactive policies and practices that systematically and uniquely impact the Black community.

If this is your first time attending a CBCF NREI event, thank you for your commitment to be here. If you are a returning guest, thank you for coming back!

Today’s Summit allows participants to learn and engage in conversations that intentionally examine critical social justice issues that systemically and uniquely impact the Black community.

Throughout the day we explore three pressing issues, including protecting the Black vote amidst voter suppression and voter misinformation, preserving and protecting African American truth and history in educational settings, and exploring corporations’ roles in advancing the social justice landscape. As we approach the fourth year of NREI, I am reminded of our continued obligation to not only amplify but disrupt systems and measures of oppression that affect our communities. I am honored to organize a space to develop solutiondriven and proactive policies and practices that produce equitable access, opportunities, treatment, and outcomes for African Americans.

On behalf of the Foundation, I thank our CBC members, CBCF staff, panelists, sponsors, and attendees for participating in the solution toward fully realized equity and justice.

In solidarity, Olajumoke Obayanju Sr. Director, National Racial Equity Initiative (NREI)

Event Schedule 9:30–10:00 AM

Welcome Remarks Nicole Austin-Hillery, President and CEO, CBCF Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell, Chair of CBCF Board of Directors Congressman Steven Horsford, Chair of Congressional Black Caucus Isaac Reyes, Senior Vice President Risk and Government Affairs, Target

10:00–11:00 AM

Session 1: Protecting the Black Vote: The Road to 2024 11:15 AM–12:15 PM

Session 2: Upholding the Truth: Preserving African American History for a Better Tomorrow 12:15–1:30 PM

LUNCH AND INTERACTIVE BREAKOUT ROOMS 1:30–2:30 PM

Session 3: Corporations As Social Justice Change Agents? Unpacking Corporate Pledges to DEIA Initiatives and the Road Ahead 2:30–3:00 PM

Closing & Thank You Remarks Dr. Jonathan Cox, VP CPAR Olajumoke Obayanju, Sr. Director, NREI

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Sessions Overview SESSION 1: Protecting the Black Vote: The Road to 2024 Since the enactment of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, there have been several efforts to undermine the right for Black Americans to vote, including strict voter ID requirements, curtailing early voting opportunities, and closing polling places. In the last 10 years—since the Supreme Court’s Shelby County v. Holder — at least 29 states have passed 94 restrictive laws and measures, many of which are racially discriminatory. Today, to ensure the representation of Black voters, activists and organizers across the nation continue to fight suppressive gerrymandering laws and other racially discriminatory practices and policies. As the upcoming 2024 election cycle quickly approaches, we must acknowledge the ongoing struggles within voting rights and promote strategies to increase fair representation for Black voters. During this session, panelists will discuss current state voting restrictions, misinformation surrounding voting preparations, tactics to combat voter suppression, as well as measures to empower the most disadvantaged Black voters, including formerly incarcerated citizens, the elderly, people with disabilities, and college students.

MODERATOR: LaShanda Jackson Executive Director, Funders’ Committee for Civic Participation

PANELISTS: Wisdom O. Cole National Director, NAACP Youth & College Division

Andrea Hailey CEO, Vote.org

Victoria Kirby-York Director of Public Policy and Programs, National Black Justice Coalition

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SESSION 2: Upholding the Truth: Preserving African American History for a Better Tomorrow Today, many state leaders have increasingly advocated for the banning of African American studies and have proposed curriculum changes that downplay the significance of slavery in the US. Across the nation, 23 states have introduced legislation to ban the discussion of “divisive” concepts, including issues related to race and gender.

In the face of curriculum and book bans and the devaluing of Black history, it is imperative to amplify and uphold African American history.

During this session, panelists will examine new legislative initiatives aimed at countering false information about African American history, emphasizing the vital role of enacting such laws to combat historical distortions. Together, panelists will discuss the importance of safeguarding African American truth and history and its impact on Black students, educators, and communities when critical aspects of history are omitted, downplayed, or inaccurately portrayed in educational settings.

Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick will be delivering Special Remarks before session 2

MODERATOR: Dr. Marcia Vandiver Associate Professor, Towson University

PANELISTS: Janel George Associate Professor of Law, Georgetown University Law Center

Augustus Mays Vice President, Partnerships and Engagement, The Education Trust

Dr. Robert J. Patterson Professor of African American History, Georgetown University

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SESSION 3: Corporations As Social Justice Change Agents?

Unpacking Corporate Pledges to DEIA Initiatives and the Road Ahead Modern calls for corporate accountability and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) have transformed the social justice landscape. In the wake of the tragic events following George Floyd’s murder in 2020, corporations across the nation intensified their pledges to DEIA initiatives. These commitments encompassed a broad spectrum of measures, including the diversification of hiring practices, ensuring equitable compensation for underrepresented and marginalized employees, and the implementation of DEIA training programs. The movement to increase corporate social responsibility has paved the way for innovative approaches centered around addressing racial disparities and implementing strategic interventions.

This shift could serve as a guiding framework across various industries for the development of social justice policies aimed at safeguarding and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. During this session, panelists will discuss the recent corporate divestments from DEIA initiatives, best practices to advance racial equity within CSR programs, and the influence of corporations on the changing social justice landscape.

MODERATOR: Kristal Knight Political Strategist & Founder, Bowen Road Strategies

PANELISTS: Johnny Bailey CEO, Small Business Consultant, Bailey Media Group as a panelist

Anique Graham Senior Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, Gilead Sciences

Dekonti Mends-Cole Executive Director, Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives for Corporate Responsibility, JPMorgan Chase & Co.

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Members of the Congressional Black Caucus of the 118th Congress In order of seniority Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC)

Representative David Scott (GA)

Representative Maxine Waters (CA)

Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO)

Representative Sanford D. Bishop (GA)

Representative Al Green (TX)

ASSISTANT DEMOCRATIC LEADER Representative James E. Clyburn (SC)

Representative Gwen Moore (WI)

Representative Bobby Scott (VA)

1ST VICE CHAIR Representative Yvette D. Clarke (NY)

Representative Bennie G. Thompson (MS)

Representative Hank Johnson (GA)

Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (TX)

Representative Kweisi Mfume (MD)

Representative Danny K. Davis (IL)

Representative André Carson (IN)

Representative Gregory D. Meeks (NY)

Representative Terri A. Sewell (AL)

Representative Barbara Lee (CA)

Representative Frederica S. Wilson (FL)

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Members of the Congressional Black Caucus of the 118th Congress In order of seniority

Representative Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ)

Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE)

Representative Joyce Beatty (OH)

CHAIR Representative Steven Horsford (NV)

Representative Hakeem Jeffries (NY)

Representative Colin Allred (TX)

Representative Marc Veasey (TX)

Representative Jahana Hayes (CT)

Representative Robin Kelly (IL)

SECRETARY Representative Lucy McBath (GA)

Senator Cory Booker (NJ)

Representative Joe Neguse (CO)

Representative Alma Adams (NC)

Representative Ilhan Omar (MN)

Representative Stacey E. Plaskett (VI)

Representative Ayanna Pressley (MA)

Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ)

Representative Dwight Evans (PA)

Representative Lauren Underwood (IL)

Representative Nikema Williams (GA)

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Members of the Congressional Black Caucus of the 118th Congress In order of seniority

Representative Cori Bush (MO)

Representative Don Davis (NC)

Representative Jamaal Bowman (NY)

Representative Valerie Foushee (NC)

Representative Ritchie Torres (NY)

Representative Maxwell Frost (FL)

WHIP Representative Marilyn Strickland (WA)

Representative Glenn Ivey (MD)

Senator Raphael Warnock (GA)

Representative Jonathan Jackson (IL)

2ND VICE CHAIR Representative Troy Carter (LA)

Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA)

Representative Shontel Brown (OH)

Representative Summer Lee (PA)

Representative Sheila Cherfilus McCormick (FL)

Representative Emilia Strong Sykes (OH)

Representative Jasmine Crockett (TX)

Representative Jennifer McClellan (VA)

Representative Laphonza Butler (CA)

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Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Board of Directors CHAIR Rep. Terri A. Sewell, U.S. House of Representatives VICE CHAIR Chaka T. Burgess, Nation Strategies

Rep. Troy Carter, U.S. House of Representatives

LaDavia Drane, Amazon

SECRETARY Kevin Brown, Dell, Inc.

Pamela Everhart, Fidelity Investments

TREASURER Markus Green, Pfizer, Inc.

Isaac Fordjour, Walgreens

Pamela G. Alexander, KKR

Quita Highsmith, MBA, Genentech

Chloe Barzey, Accenture

Fred Humphries, Microsoft

Rep. Joyce Beatty, U.S. House of Representatives

Rep. Glenn Ivey, U.S. House of Representatives

Tellis Bethel, Toyota Motor North America

Alethia Jackson Walgreens Boots Alliance

Natalie Brunson-Wheeler, State Farm Insurance Companies

Broderick Johnson, Comcast Corporation

Lonnie Johnson, Exxon Mobil, Retired

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Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Board of Directors Tammy Jones, Basis Investment Group

Nichole Francis Reynolds, Esq., ServiceNow

Rep. Robin Kelly, U.S. House of Representatives

Lisa Osborne Ross, Edelman

Dr. Keith Magee, University College London

Dontai Smalls, UPS

Marcus Sebastian Mason, The Madison Group

Jesse Tyson, The National Black MBA Association, Past President

Rep. Lucy McBath, U.S. House of Representatives

Rep. Frederica S. Wilson, U.S. House of Representatives

Rep. Stacey E. Plaskett, U.S. House of Representatives

Rondu Vincent, Bristol Myers Squibb

Ex Officio CBC CHAIRPERSON Rep. Steven Horsford, U.S. House of Representatives

DIRECTOR EMERITUS Former Congressman Kendrick Meek

CBC SPOUSES CHAIRPERSON Rev. William Coleman

CAC CHAIRPERSON John Mason, Altria

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Congressional Black Caucus Foundation

Corporate Advisory Council CHAIRPERSON John Mason, Altria

Kwame Canty, Edison Electric Institute

Sanders L. Adu, Wells Fargo

Karen S. Carter, Dow

LaKeitha Anderson, Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber & Schreck

Chachavious English, Ford Motor Company

Kevin J. Armstrong, Mitchell Hamline School of Law

Fenimore Fisher, Aramark Corporation

Keenan Austin Reed, Alpine Group

Heather Foster, Lyft Inc.

Rontel Batie, Batie Consulting

Karis T. Gutter, Corteva Agriscience

Benjamin Branch

Phil A. Hancock, Norfolk Southern

Tristan R. Breaux, Tyson Foods

Ashley Hayes, Charter Communications

Zoe Cadore, Calpine

Edward W. Hill, ViacomCBS (Paramount)

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Congressional Black Caucus Foundation

Corporate Advisory Council Cory C. Horton, Taft Advisors

Chris Randle, Meta

Mervyn L. Jones II, MLJ Strategies

Ibn Akbar Salaam, MBA, Waste Management, Inc.

Francesca Jordan, Dell Technologies

Marie Ray Scott, M. R. Whitsett, Inc.

Jackie Kelly, Jr., FedEx Corporation

Charlyn Stanberry, National Association of Broadcasters

Adrienne Marks, Visa

Yolanda Stradford, Bank of America

Waldo McMillan, Cisco

ShaShrina Thomas, Reynolds

Lamell McMorris, Edward Jones

Dana Thompson, Fulcrum Public Affairs

Virgil A. Miller, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

Darrel Thompson, theGROUP

Ashli Nelson, McDonald’s

Brandon Webb, Amazon

Katelyn J. Nnake, Twitter

Tiffani V. Williams, JD, MPH, The Daschle Group

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SPEAKER BIOS Johnny Bailey is CEO of Bailey Media Group. He serves as a big tech consultant, business educator, and executive leadership coach for small businesses, non-profit orgs, and corporations. BMG has supporting clients like Google, Capital One, Afto Tech, US Black Chambers, SBA, SBDC, ADA, DC Public Schools, DC Public Library, DC Mayor’s Office, WACIF, The Gathering Spot, and Thursday Network.

Johnny has been featured in Forbes, Yahoo! Finance, Fast Company and Black Enterprise for his work accelerating the Black economy.

Wisdom O. Cole is the National Director of the NAACP Youth & College Division. In this role, he serves more than 700 youth councils, high school chapters, and college chapters actively involved in the fight for civil rights. Wisdom brings extensive experience in civil rights advocacy training institute, electoral action training, grassroots organizing, issues toolkits, and webinars at the local, state, and national level. He has managed national campaign efforts focused on building Black political power through youth leadership development, advocacy, and direct action organizing for the past 5 years with the NAACP.In his time at the NAACP, he has worked on campaigns around the cancelation of student debt, removing police from schools, as well as increasing voter access for young Black people. He has been featured on Politico, NPR, VICE, NBC Washington News, Brooking Institute, and The Economist as an advocate for Black youth voter turnout through issue-based campaign organizing. In 2023, he was recognized in Politico’s Recast Power List 2023, honoring those who are changing the world through race and politics.

Janel George is an Associate Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center and the founding Director of the Racial Equity in Education Law and Policy Clinic. The Clinic engages law students in legislative lawyering work on behalf of clients to address issues of racial inequality in public education, including school segregation, resource inequities, and discriminatory school discipline practices. The Clinic’s clients include coalitions and communitybased organizations. Her clinical practice and scholarship focus on racial stratification and inequality in U.S. education and legislative and policy interventions to help address them. She has written about the resegregation of public schools, discriminatory school discipline practices, Critical Race Theory, and clinical pedagogy, among other topics. Her scholarship is informed by her experience a congressional staffer and as a civil rights attorney. As senior counsel with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF), she worked with several campaigns and coalitions to leverage legislative and policy advocacy to advance equal educational opportunity. Her article, Deny, Defund, Divert: The Law and American Miseducation (forthcoming in the Georgetown Law Journal), explores recent antiCRT and anti-truth bans and draws a through-line between them and laws enacted during massive resistance, demonstrating the tactics revived by policymakers during times of retrenchment to maintain racial inequality in and through education.

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Anique Graham is a social entrepreneur, philanthropist, and committed advocate for Black women and girls. With nearly 15 years of experience of working to advance progressive community causes, Anique has successfully managed local, national, and international social impact investments on behalf of Fortune 100 companies, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. She’s driven by her lived experiences and a desire to make a difference in people’s lives by creating equitable opportunities for health, wealth, and educational advancement. Anique currently serves as the Senior Manager of Public Affairs and Corporate Giving at Gilead Sciences where she leverages her expertise in corporate citizenship and grantmaking to advance education, social justice, health equity, and Black equity through an over $20M philanthropic portfolio, which includes the TRANScend Community Impact Fund and the recently announced Setting the P.A.C.E. initiative, which is a 3-year, $10M commitment to improving the HIV landscape for Black women and girls in the United States. Anique earned a Masters of Public Administration in Public Policy and Nonprofit Management from Georgia State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications & Culture with a minor in African American Studies from Howard University. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Outside of her social impact work, Anique enjoys spending time with her family, cooking (when she has time), crafting, yoga, and visiting new beaches and restaurants around the globe.

Andrea Hailey is the CEO of Vote.org, the nation’s largest nonpartisan digital voter engagement organization. Vote.org’s goal is to expand the electorate and encourage people to be lifelong voters. Andrea led Vote.org to recordbreaking growth during the 2020 General Election and the Georgia runoff elections, helping more than 4.4 million people register to vote and more than 3.3 million request mail-in ballots, and leading a 50-state get-out-the-vote operation which made over half a billion voter contacts across the country.

In the 2022 election cycle, Vote.org saw more than 12 million visitors. The organization helped register more than 725,000 voters. In 2022, it reached voters nearly 270 million times using a variety of research-backed tactics, including sending 40 million unique messages to voters. Andrea and Vote. org’s work has been featured in the New York Times, CNN, MSNBC, the Washington Post, NPR, Bloomberg, TIME and more. With nearly two decades of experience in voter engagement operations and campaigns, Andrea is a recognized expert on civic engagement and a staunch defender and promoter of democracy. Prior to joining Vote.org, she served as the founder of Civic Engagement Fund, an incubator for grassroots nonprofit organizations focused on voter empowerment and engagement. She has advised and supported the efforts of presidential and congressional candidates, ballot initiatives, and historic landmarks, including the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Andrea launched her career on Capitol Hill in the office of Representative Patrick Kennedy. In addition to leading Vote.org, Andrea sits on the boards of NARAL and Bend The Arc, serves on the Leadership Council of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, and is a member of the Society of Fellows for the Aspen Institute.

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LaShanda Jackson is a social justice activist, defender of democracy, and advocate for racial equity whose career in philanthropy and organizing spans nearly two decades. Raised by a southern family of civil rights activists and community leaders, her advocacy is personal.

LaShanda’s fierce advocacy for transforming democracy and returning power back to the people has brought her to the role of Executive Director of the Funders’ Committee for Civic Participation (FCCP).

Before joining the FCCP, LaShanda (she/her) served as Vice President of Development for Common Cause where she led organizational fundraising strategy and operations. Before joining Common Cause in February 2017, LaShanda worked for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund as the Manager of Gift Accounting, where she oversaw financial management of an $80 million capital campaign. Prior to that, LaShanda cultivated and provided stewardship for members and major donors as the Membership and Major Gifts Coordinator at the Public Justice Foundation. She began her nonprofit career in 2003 with the Library of Congress, primarily raising capital campaign funds for the Capitol Visitor Center and sponsorship funding for the National Book Festival. LaShanda also proudly served as an educator at Northwestern High School in Prince George’s County, MD and served as a Regional Field Director for the 2008 Obama for America campaign. LaShanda holds Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of Maryland. LaShanda serves on the United Philanthropy Forum Board of Directors and Common Cause Maryland Advisory Board.

Victoria Kirby York, MPA (V.K.Y., she, they), is the Director of Public Policy and Programs at the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), a civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer+, and same-gender loving (LGBTQ+/ SGL) people, including people living with HIV/AIDS. In this role, V.K.Y. leads the organization’s federal and state public policy agenda and signature programs, the Black Institute, OUT on the Hill, Wisdom, and James Baldwin Legacy Awards. Mrs. Kirby York has led and trained teams of organizers, organizations, advocates, clergy, students, and volunteers in nearly all of the most consequential campaigns of this century. Her first campaign was with Students Working Against Tobacco (S.W.A.T.) in the late 90s, successfully prohibiting indoor smoking. Soon after, she joined a citywide campaign in Tampa to end racial discrimination and prejudice. Since then, V.K.Y. has been a part of nearly every consequential campaign this century, including President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign, the movement for Black Lives, LGBTQ+ equality, comprehensive immigration reform, gun violence prevention, climate change, women’s equality, and healthcare protections and insurance reform. V.K.Y. is a highly soughtafter public speaker, board member, and recognized and awarded leader.

She is a board member of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center and a member of the Presidential Advisory Council for Search for Common Ground. In her work with NBJC and as a patient advocate with the Hypersomnia Foundation and the Fibromyalgia Network in her spare time, her mission is to encourage marginalized and excluded people to take up space by viewing our differences as our superpowers.

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Kristal Knight is a political strategist, commentator and host of a self-titled podcast with Newsweek. With over a decade of political experience she currently advises national advocacy organizations helping to advance their policy and political agendas. She is a veteran campaign operative who has worked on the Obama and Hillary Clinton campaigns. Most recently she served as the political director for the nation’s largest Democratic super pac, Priorities USA during the 2020 cycle. She founded and chairs Organize Tennessee, a voting rights nonprofit in her home state and actively works to train and support future candidates in their quest for elected office. She is a graduate of Howard University and University College London.

Augustus Mays serves as Ed Trust’s vice president for Partnerships and Engagement. In this role, Augustus leads the organization’s efforts to engage policymakers and diverse coalitions of advocates to enact equity-advancing policy change at the national and state levels.

He does this by working collaboratively with Ed Trust’s president & CEO and the senior leadership team to coordinate the organization’s overall advocacy agenda. Prior to joining Ed Trust, Augustus served as the director of policy and outreach at WestEd, where he led the organization’s strategic efforts to increase its visibility and impact with federal and state policymakers in the education, health, and justice prevention space. Before that, Augustus was the manager of policy & advocacy at Knowledge Alliance, the national trade association representing the education research, development, and service industry. Augustus holds an MPA from the University of Oklahoma and a BA in political science from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Dekonti Mends-Cole serves as the head of Diversity Equity and Inclusion for Corporate Responsibility leading the department’s efforts in embedding diversity, equity and inclusion in the department’s efforts.

In her previous role, she served as the Vice President for the MidAtlantic overseeing strategic grant making in the Greater Washington region, Carolinas, and Georgia. Dekonti developed a comprehensive philanthropic strategy for the deployment of a $125M commitment in the Greater Washington region (MD, DC, VA) that positions the firm as a racial equity thought leader in the region.

Prior to joining JPMorgan Chase & Co., she served as the Director of Policy at the Center for Community Progress where she advised federal, local, and state officials on vacant property programs and policies.

Previously, Dekonti served as the Deputy Director at the Detroit Land Bank Authority, the country’s largest land bank standing up programs to support affordable home ownership and reactivate abandoned properties. Dekonti moved to Detroit, as a fellow with the White House Strong Cities, Strong Communities initiative where she was embedded in the City of Detroit to support the city during municipal bankruptcy advising on improving operational efficiencies in the law department and streamlining code enforcement and blight elimination strategies.

She brings international experience and best practice to her role having previously worked on local economic development projects in UK, the

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Middle East, and Africa including infrastructure investment strategies in Iraq and Zambia for United Nations agencies and community development projects in historically underserved east London boroughs tied to the 2012 London Olympics. She holds an MSc from the London School of Economics in Urban Regeneration and Affordable Housing, a Juris Doctor from Georgetown Law Center, and a BA from University of Miami in International Studies and Economics.

Dr. Robert J. Patterson is a professor of African American Studies and served as the inaugural chair of the Department of African American Studies at Georgetown University (2016-2019). He is the author of Destructive Desires: Rhythm and Blues Culture and the Politics of Racial Equality as well as Exodus Politics: Civil Rights and Leadership in African American Literature and Culture, the co-editor of The Psychic Hold of Slavery: Legacies in American Expressive Culture and editor of the award-winning Black Cultural Production After Civil Rights (University of Illinois Press, 2019). Currently, he is working on two books. One is titled Black Equity, Black Equality: Reparation and Black Communities and the other one is African American Slave Narratives: A Very Short Introduction. Dr. Patterson also has published articles that have appeared in South Atlantic Quarterly, Black Camera: An International Film Journal, Religion and Literature, The Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion, The Cambridge Companion to African American Women’s Writing, The Cambridge Companion to Civil Rights Literature, and the Journal of Popular Music Studies. Dr. Patterson has worked with governmental agencies, school systems, and other organizations to develop solutions that increase diversity, cultivate inclusion, and provide equity of access and outcomes. He currently serves as the CoChair of the College Board’s Development Committee for its pilot course in African American Studies. He has also appeared on MSNBC, Fox Soul, CNN, and the British Broadcasting Channel, as well as additional media platforms, to discuss his expertise in slavery’s legacies, reparations, and racial equity more broadly. Dr. Patterson has collaborated with the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving to endow the Robert J. Patterson Scholarship Fund, which supports residents of Hartford, CT, who intend to pursue an undergraduate degree in African American Studies, social justice, the arts, or the humanities.

Issac Reyes is the Senior Vice President of Enterprise Risk and Government Affairs for Target Corporation. He and his team strategically influence public policy on behalf of Target at the federal, state and local level as well as efforts around Reputation and Risk, issues management, escalated risk events and crisis management. Isaac has more than twenty years of experience in government and public affairs, having worked in the U.S. House of Representatives, for a Leader of the U.S. Senate, and on congressional and presidential campaigns. This extensive government experience and over a decade of representing Fortune 100 companies makes Isaac one of the most respected advocates in Washington, D.C.Before joining Target in 2012, Isaac was at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as the Director of Congressional

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& Public Affairs, representing the biggest companies in the world on issues ranging from cyber security to education to immigration. He was a principal in the government relations firm of Austin, Copelin & Reyes, specializing in the design and execution of successful legislative policy and political strategies for local governments. Prior to entering the private sector, Isaac served as a Policy Advisor to Senator Tom Daschle at the Democratic Policy Committee, where he worked with all Democratic Senators and staff to build consensus and implement policy to advance goals of the Democratic Leadership. He also served as Legislative Director for Representative Silvestre Reyes (D-TX).

Additionally, Isaac served as an advisor to Senator Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign in the critical swing state of New Mexico.

Isaac currently serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. He is also a board member of the Public Affairs Council, Bryce Harlow Foundation, and the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI).

Marcia Vandiver, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Education at Towson University in Baltimore County, Maryland. She attended Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, where she received her B.S. in Middle Grades Education. After her undergraduate studies, Marci worked for Atlanta Public Schools as an alternative middle school teacher and was awarded Teacher of the Year in 2010 at Forrest Hill Academy. Dr. Vandiver received her M.Ed. in Educational Policy and Leadership from Georgia State University. She later received her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction (Urban Education) and Graduate Certificate in Africana Studies from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Dr. Vandiver is the co-author of several books which investigate the role of corrective, multicultural history on student academic achievement and self-actualization. Her latest works, Unbleaching the Curriculum: Enhancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Beyond in Schools and Society [Rowman and Littlefield] and The Healing Power of Education: Afrocentric Pedagogy as a Tool for Restoration and Liberation [Teachers College Press], explore curricular omissions for the purpose of advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in school processes and practices. Dr. Vandiver is a longtime advocate and former curriculum developer for the Children Defense Fund’s © Freedom School program, which offers emergent multicultural literacy to students nationwide.

Her research interests explore various intersections of Black education, including: resistance pedagogy, historical and contemporary issues in urban education, and transformative/emancipatory learning.

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Meet the John R. Lewis Social Justice Fellows

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Danielle Browne graduated from SUNY-ESF, majoring in Environmental Biology. She received her Master’s in Horticulture Science from Texas Tech and has recently earned a graduate certificate in Food Systems, The Environment, and Public Health from Johns Hopkins. After completing her undergraduate studies, Danielle worked in invasive plant species management as well as on farms to gain experience in food production and shaping local food systems. Before heading off to college, she was a devoted volunteer at the Shepherd’s Table Soup Kitchen and at the First Baptist Church of Silver Spring’s Food Pantry, serving families in the Montgomery County area. Each November, she would pack over 300 boxes of food for families across D.C., alongside the Covenant Christian Community — An act of kindness started by her grandmother and father in 1984. Danielle’s ongoing dedication to social justice is evident through her membership in the NAACP as well as her intense passion for art. Danielle is the founder of Poetic Poison Animations LLC and runs a YouTube channel, Poetic Poison, through which she increases the positive representation of the global Black community through original, 2D-animated stories. Her drive to work in policy research and advocate for populations experiencing food apartheid led her to the Institute for Policy Studies where she gained hands-on experience in inequality news analysis and condensing complex policy issues. Longterm, Danielle hopes to foster food sovereignty by focusing on both community-driven and one-health solutions to food apartheid that acknowledge the intersection between human, animal, and environmental health.

Area of Discipline: Cannabis Sponsor: Scott’s Miracle Gro Leyana Casey is an advocate for community building and addressing disparities within the Black community. With a strong academic and professional background, she has dedicated herself to confronting critical issues related to healthcare access, the digital divide, and social determinants of health. Currently, she serves as an NREI Cannabis Fellow. Leyana graduated from Wake Forest University with a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Exercise Science. She recently completed her Master’s in Public Health, specializing in Behavioral Social and Health Education Sciences, at Emory University. During her academic journey, Leyana was a Health Communications Specialist, collaborating with health coaches nationwide to ensure accessible and equitable diabetes prevention services for vulnerable populations Before pursuing her master’s, she worked as an AmeriCorps Health and Wellness VISTA at a charter school in Washington, D.C. In this influential role, she tackled challenges faced by students, families, and the broader community, including issues like food insecurity, the impact of COVID-19, and mental health. Leveraging her skills, she implemented effective programming and fostered valuable community partnerships to address these pressing concerns. As a CBCF NREI fellow, Leyana is excited to delve into the political landscape and explore the

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multifaceted challenges affecting the Black community. She aims to develop innovative solutions that dismantle systemic oppression and pave the way for equitable opportunities within the Black community.

Area of Discipline: Cannabis Sponsor: Scott’s Miracle Gro Brelynn Hunt, born in Washington, DC and later raised in Prince George’s County, Maryland, is a passionate women’s health advocate aiding the maternal mortality crisis. Brelynn is a 2x HBCU graduate from Spelman College and Meharry Medical College obtaining Master’s Degrees in Physiology and Health Sciences and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Personifying her brand: Beauty and Brains, Brelynn is in pursuit of her Doctorate of Medicine degree with plans to become an OB/GYN. This social media savvy, lover-of-pink uses her platform to influence and inspire digital mentees around the world as a YouTuber and Podcaster, with over 5 million lifetime views. She has secured thousands in fundraising dollars for March of Dimes and lobbied on Capitol Hill through her women’s health service initiative Birth Equity 4 All. With a bubbly personality and communication skills honed by years of content creation, Brelynn’s future post-CBCF Fellowship, is destined to deliver a message that resonates as a media health correspondent on a major news network, improving women’s health quality, especially for underserved populations, beyond her doctor exam room. Utilizing her impact for greater good, Brelynn champions health equity, advocating for people of color and using her platform, skill sets, resources and network in order to change the world.

Area of Discipline: Health Equity Sponsor: Amgen Oluwatosin Oyadiran (B.Pharm., M.D., M.P.H.) is a John R. Lewis NREI Social Justice Fellow at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation specializing in health equity research. She currently works with the office of Representative Terri Sewell. Oluwatosin specializes in health policy and health equity research and is passionate about closing the gaps in racial and health disparities. Her other interests include primary prevention of diseases, health promotion, and proper management of chronic diseases.

Currently, Oluwatosin works with the office of Representative Terri Sewell (AL-07). In her spare time, she volunteers with the American Red Cross as a SAF (Service to the Armed Forces) volunteer. Oluwatosin also loves spending time at the Montgomery County department of health, Maryland, where she volunteers as an epidemiologist.

Area of Discipline: Health Equity Sponsor: Amgen

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Taylor Robinson is a Texas native, born and raised in Houston, TX. As a Sam Houston State University graduate, Taylor earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, minoring in Forensic Science, Master of Science in Victim Services Management, and Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice with a focus in Victimology. Taylor is passionate about servicing others through community service, mentorship, and victim/ survivor advocacy. While at Sam Houston State, she served in the Criminal Justice Graduate Student Organization, volunteered through the Greater Houston Area with agencies to assist victims of crime, and mentored undergraduate and graduate students through college, supporting personal and academic aspirations. Taylor also conducted victimology research producing fact sheets and technical reports while working for the Crime Victims’ Institute. Taylor has spoken on panels, moderated webinars and podcast series, and presented at conferences on preventing violence against women. Taylor’s high ambitions postCBCF fellowships include becoming a Policy Analyst or Research Associate in the private sector focusing on Crime and Justice.

Area of Discipline: Child Welfare Sponsor: Casey Family Programs Originating from Smithville, a small town in Southwest Georgia, Dr. Ja’Lia Taylor embarked on her educational journey, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education from Georgia Southwestern State University. Subsequently, she obtained a master’s degree in special education from Albany State University. Dr. Taylor’s academic pursuits extended even further as she acquired a master’s degree from Auburn University, specializing in Information Systems with emphasis on project management, business analytics, and cybersecurity.

Her educational journey reached its pinnacle when she attained a Doctor of Philosophy in Education. Her doctoral dissertation delved into the pressing issue of the preschool-to-prison pipeline, exploring how technology could be pivotal in addressing this problem. Beyond academia, Dr. Taylor is the founder and visionary behind “Young Professionals in Training,” a mentoring and tutoring initiative designed to support underrepresented students. Participants in this program benefit from mentorship and enjoy the advantage of automatic college acceptance and scholarships. Dr. Taylor’s passion for mentorship extends to the “Presidents Mentoring Circle,” a community committed to guiding black students with aspirations in higher education leadership. Her commitment to uplifting society and underrepresented populations is further evident through her publications in education and technology journals. Looking ahead, Dr. Taylor eagerly anticipates continuing her research and advocacy efforts through the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. Her post-CBCF Fellowship aspirations encompass roles as a policy researcher, campaign manager for both state and federal-wide campaigns, and even venturing into the realm of public office Area of Discipline: Technology Sponsor: IBM

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Samantha Wilkerson, a New Jersey native, is a passionate advocate for equitable education opportunities and policy reform. She believes in the power of education to change the world, echoing Nelson Mandela’s famous quote. Samantha attended Drew University in Madison, NJ, before embarking on a transformative experience in Honduras where she dedicated three and a half years to teaching and developing the ESL curriculum. Upon her return to the United States, she settled in St. Louis, where she completed her Master’s in Education at the University of Missouri.

In the summer of 2020, Samantha made the decision to return to her roots in New Jersey, joining the teaching staff at Newark Academy. Simultaneously, she began collaborating with Leadership for Educational Equity, contributing to organizations like Newark for Educational Equity and Diversity to craft policies that would enhance the lives of children in Newark. Her commitment to policy change and equitable education was further underlined when she successfully completed the Leadership for Educational Equity Public Policy Fellowship with the Newark Opportunity Youth Network, working closely with the My Brother’s Keeper Newark Initiative. Her journey is marked by a deep commitment to education, public policy, and, most importantly, positively impacting the lives of the next generation of leaders in the Black community.

Area of Discipline: Finance Sponsor: Prudential

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