Introducing the Leaders of Color National Advisory Board!
Written by Michael Bland, National Director, Leaders of Color
We pride ourselves on providing three components to our fellows and alumni: The knowledge they use to understand civic and political leadership. The know-how to navigate their community’s political, civic, and cultural systems. And, a strong network to leverage as they work to make change.
The last piece — the network — is a key part of the magic in our program. For far too long, leaders of color around the country have lacked the necessary network to achieve real equity and opportunities in their respective communities. To change that, we are humbled to onboard 17 leaders of color to our newly formed National Advisory Board. These leaders represent a variety of sectors including education reform, social justice, environmental justice, political sourcing and entertainment. Together, our alumni, current fellows, leaders of color staff, and our new board will work to truly achieve equitable and quality outcomes for the future of this country.
Meet our National Advisory Board:
Benjamin Branch, Former Executive Director, Congressional Black Caucus PAC
Leonard Brooks, Founder & CEO, Taste Music Group & Meshach Management
Tonio Burgos, CEO, Tonio Burgos & Associates
Addisu Demissie, Executive Director at More Than A Vote
Scot Esdaile, NAACP President, Connecticut, National Social Justice Chair (NAACP)
Judith Fenelus, Chief of Staff to Assemblywoman Shavonda E. Sumter
Chris James, East Orange Council President, Former NJ Executive Director of NJ State Democratic Party
Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of the Hispanic Federation
Regina Montoya, CEO & Chairperson of Regina T. Montoya PLLC, National Co-Chair, Women’s Leadership Forum (WLF) at Democratic National Committee
Terence Patterson, CEO Memphis Education Fund
Marisa Rivera, President, Mpowerment Works, LLC
Chuck Rocha, Author, Founder and President, Solidarity Strategies
Naomi Shelton, Chief Executive Officer at National Charter Collaborative
Anthony Smith, Vice President of Project Management, Prudential
DeJuana Thompson, Founder Woke Vote / Interim President, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
Jonae Wartel, VP, Elections & Advocacy at More than a Vote
Gabrielle Wyatt, Founder, The Highland Project
