Honestly, I love the idea of Galentines Day even more than Valentine’s Day. So many women in my life fuel our work and daily life. Today, in the spirit of Black History Month – I wanted to share some love and admiration for a few Black Women who have impacted my career and inspired many others. Cutting this list down was hard. So many more deserve to be here too. The Democratic Party would be nothing without Black Women – but these women in particular. Some are friends, while others we’ve just admired from a distance. Some are high profile, while others are hidden figures toiling behind the scenes away from media attention. Some are firsts, some are founders, and all are fierce feminists and impactful leaders. You should know them all if you don’t already. . Abbreviating their impressive bios was a challenge too. All have lengthy lists of accomplishments. None of them should be defined by these brief descriptions, but that is what we choose to elevate today for this platform. Today we want to give them virtual flowers and show respect and appreciation for their contributions to our Democratic & Progressive Community.
Lavora Barnes is Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party. Before becoming chair, she was a party COO and directed the MI Obama campaign. As Chair, Lavora oversaw the midterm elections helping the amazing slate of statewide Democratic women and helping flip the house and state senate.
Tamia Booker is the Founder of T Booker Strategies, which candidates of color. Tamia has worked in the administration, the DNC, as a Dep COS and CM for Senator Cory Booker, and more places as a strategist.
Donna Brazile: Author, media personality, and first Black woman to manage a Presidential campaigns manager and lead a national party. Democratic Party Chair, lecturer, strategist, and member of The Colored Girls.
Tanya Brown: Chief Revenue Officer at Target Smart. Tanya has worked at America Votes, the DNC, Catalist, SEIU, AARP, and more places.
Stephanie Brown James -is the Co-Founder and Senior Advisor of The Collective PAC and Collective Future – dedicated to recruiting, training, funding, and supporting black candidates to run for office.
Amanda Brown Learman: Recently stepped down as President of SuperMajority. She is has held senior positions at the DNC, For Our Future, and Rock The Vote, among others.
Laphonza Butler, President of EMILY’s List and long-time labor leader with SEIU. She was a partner at SCRB Strategies, where she was a senior advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign and worked for Airbnb.
Yolanda Caraway: Founder, The Caraway Group – Award-winning author – Change Catalyst and member of The Colored Girls.
Tasha Cole Deputy Executive Director and Chief Diversity Officer at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and winner of our Powerful IDEA Award DEI Transformational Talent Leadership award.
Leah Daughtry: Minister. Democratic Party leader and two-time CEO of the DNCC, author, and member of The Colored Girls. Founder of On These Things, Founder and Co-Convenor of Power Rising, supports Black women in leveraging their economic, social, and political power.
Daria Dawson: Deputy Executive Director & National Political Director at America Votes the largest progressive coalition and convener of state tables. She spent years at SEIU before AV.
Karen Finney: CNN Commentator was the first African American spokesperson for the DNC and is currently a strategic communications advisor for candidates and organizations.
Tina Flournoy – long time Democratic party leader. Most recently served as COS to VP Harris. Also was COS for President Bill Clinton – and Assistant to the President of AFT.
Katrina Gamble: Social Impact Strategist | Coalition Builder | Research & Policy Expert | Founder & CEO Sojourner Strategies. See our recent GAIN Power Spotlight Feature.
Nadia Garnett Partner at Deliver Strategies and President of Oliver and Lane. Nadia has worked for the DNC, DCCC, EMILY’s List, Sen Kerry and Sec. Clintons campaigns and more.
A’shanti Gholar: President EMERGE America and Founder of the Powerul IDEA Awards best podcast last year: The Brown Girls Guide to Politics. She has worked at the DNC, the Obama Administration.
Amber Goodwin: Assistant District Attorney and founder of the Community Justice Action Fund. Worked for the DNC, Giffords, SEIU, Enroll American and
Andrea Hailey – CEO Of Vote.org, the nation’s largest nonpartisan digital voter engagement organization
Holli Holliday: JEDI Master at Holliday Advisors & President at Sisters Lead Sisters Vote. 2022 Inagural Powerful IDEA Award winner for DEI leadership.
Wanda James: Her bio link says Power, Pot, and Politics, which certainly summarizes her work. Recently elected as a University regent to her alma mater University of Colorado. Wanda is a powerful leader for equity in Canibis and an incredible businesswoman.
Karine Jean-Pierre: White House Press Secretary, author, and an all-around amazing communicator. Former Chief Public Affairs Officer for MoveOn and an NBC and MSNBC Political Analyst.
LaToia Jones: Senior VP, Hustle and an incredible leader in DEI and political impact. Former DNC, AFT, and Young Democrat.
Carol McDonald: CEO of Meridian Solutions and strategic partner at Mission Control. Carol is also a media consultant and has a long history working with Planned Parenthood and for reproductive justice.
Minyon Moore: Former White House Political Director, Dewey Square Partner, led the mobilize the engagement effort focused on confirming Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. Minyon received our first Living Legend Award at the inaugural Powerful IDEA Award.
Ayanna Pressley: Congresswoman and original Squad member, former Boston City Council member. Words can’t express the influence her campaign and leadership have had on my life and thousands of others.
Kelley Robinson: New President of the Human Right Campaign and long-time Planned Parenthood leader. Kelly is a leader in the progressive field, leading local and national programs and campaigns, with expertise in sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice.
Lottie Shackelford: Long-time leader in the Democratic Party. Lottie was the first women Mayor of Little Rock, Arkansas – and the recipient of our first Lifetime Achievement Award at the inaugural Powerful IDEA Awards last year.
Regena Thomas: American Federation of Teachers Women, Human & Civil Rights Advocacy Director, former NJ Secretary of State, minister, DNC leader, and more. Regena is one of the most inspiring trainers and speakers you’ll have a chance to see.
Regina Wallace-JonesNew CEO of ActBlue, the most important platform in Democratic & Progressive Politi
Muthoni Wambu Kraal: Founder/President of Dunia Impact. Muthoni is a former DNC Political Director, EMILY’s List long-time senior staff, DCCC campaign manager, and more. Muthoni chaired our first Powerful IDEA Awards and helped lead our successful program launch.
Simone Ward: President of SLW Strategies, a strategic political, executive coaching, training, and leadership development firm. Simone’s previous positions were at the DNC, DSCC, Young Democrats, EMILY’s List
Danielle Akinson, is the founder and Executive Director of Mothering Justice. She has worked with organizations such as America Votes, State Voices, Population Connection and ACORN.
Jessica Knight-Henry is the Dep Executive of the DSCC and chief diversity officer. Jessica has worked for SuperMajority, the DNC, the CBC and others.
