Black American National Security & Foreign Policy Next Generation Leaders
From Russia meddling in U.S. elections, to counterterrorism in Africa, to North Korean Nuclear Proliferation, our country continues to face new and evolving national security threats. On top of so much else, the November midterm elections have underscored Americans’ desire for change away from how Washington politics has long been run—and by whom.
Since 9/11, there has been a growing number of Black Americans making a difference in the national security sector. Many of them are former Obama Administration Appointees, lawyers, congressional staff, intelligence analysts, military veterans, diplomats, foreign aid practitioners, entrepreneurs, economists, and beyond - inspired by role models that have broken glass ceilings in national security such as Ambassador Andrew Young, General Colin Powell, Secretary Condoleezza Rice, Ambassador Patrick Gaspard, Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins, Ambassador Ruth Davis, and many others.
The Diversity in National Security Network and New America are pleased to honor the contributions of 35 Black American experts in U.S. national security and foreign policy. The list features experts currently serving in government, think tanks, academia, non-governmental organizations, and the media. Selection is based on excellence and leadership; their current work in national security or foreign policy; and their contributions to their issues of expertise through thought leadership.
Camille Stewart, Cyber and Tech Attorney
Zaid Zaid, Public Policy, Strategic Response, Facebook, Inc.
Lia Miller, Career Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State
Travis Adkins, Director, Global Governance & Civic Engagement, InterAction
Tyrik McKeiver, Chief of Staff, NYC Mayor's Office for International Affairs
Anthony Johnson, US Defense Strategy & Military Capabilities Expert; Analyst
Janette Yarwood, Ph.D., Staff Director, House Subcommittee on Africa
Shawn Bush, US Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State
Nicolette Louissaint, Ph.D., Executive Director, Healthcare Ready
Lesley Warner, Ph.D., Professional Staff Member, House Foreign Affairs Committee
Muhammad Fraser-Rahim, Ph.D., Executive Director, Quilliam International and Assistant Professor, The Citadel
Laura Kupe, Policy Analyst, RAND Corporation
Rachel Gillum, Ph.D., Fellow, Stanford University
Mycal Ford, Threat Finance Analyst at Sayari
Anthony Robinson, Director of Training and Public Engagement at The Truman Center for Policy and Truman National Security Project
Jalina Porter, Communications Director
Nicole Tisdale, Staff Director & Counsel, Subcommittee on Counterterrorism & Intelligence, House Committee on Homeland Security
Brian Greer, Professional Staff Member, House Armed Services Committee
Heather Ashby, Ph.D., Senior Consultant, Teracore
Brent Bowie, International Project Manager, Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Ajenai Clemmons, Ph.D. Candidate in Public Policy, Duke University
Chanda Brown, Attorney
Wanida Lewis, Ph.D., Economic Evaluation Policy Analyst, Tuvli LLC
Jamie Jackson, Counsel, House Armed Services Committee
Bunmi Akinnusotu, Creator & Producer, What in the World podcast and Chief of Staff, Young Professionals in Foreign Policy
Alex T. Johnson, Senior Policy Advisor for Europe and Eurasia, Open Society Foundations
Asha Castleberry, University Professor & Major, U.S. Army Reserves
Brionne Dawson, Director, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Karen Richardson, Former State Department Official, Obama Administration
Janine Slade, Attorney Advisor
Ngozi Burrell, Founder and CEO
Terrell Jermaine Starr, Senior Reporter, The Root
Eliot Williamson, President & The Market Rep, Inc.
Daniel White, MPA Candidate at Columbia University
Source: New America