Staff
DEDRICK ASANTE-MUHAMMAD
President
Dedrick Asante-Muhammad is the president of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. For the past 20 years, Asante-Muhammad has dedicated his career to understanding and tackling racial and economic inequities. Asante-Muhammad joins the Joint Center from the Racial Economic Equity and Research at the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) where he was vice president. During Asante-Muhammad’s tenure at NCRC, he oversaw fair lending, fair housing, the Women’s Business Center of DC, the National Training Academy, the Housing Counseling Network, and started the Racial Economic Equity Department. As chief of Membership, Policy, and Equity at NCRC, Asante-Muhammad oversaw Membership, Organizing, Research, and Policy.
Asante-Muhammad has worked at many of the nation’s top national non-profit advocacy organizations. Before joining NCRC, Asante-Muhammad served as director, senior fellow, and founder of the Racial Wealth Divide Initiative for Prosperity Now. Before this role, he worked as the senior director for Economic Programs at the NAACP; an associate fellow for the Institute for Policy Studies; was a Racial Wealth Divide coordinator for United for a Fair Economy; and served as Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network National field director.
While at United for a Fair Economy, Asante-Muhammad co-founded the State of the Dream report, an annual publication honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., that examines the state of racial and economic inequality in the U.S. Asante-Muhammad has continued to be a co-author, providing analysis in publications, including “The Road to Zero Wealth” and “Ten Solutions to Bridge the Racial Wealth Divide.” Over the years, Asante-Muhammad has also become a thought leader in diversity, inclusion, and procurement, as reflected in the Opportunity and Diversity series and the “Racial and Ethnic Representation and Investment Framework for the Banking Industry.”
Previous to his work at national non-profits, Asante-Muhammad worked in higher education at Williams College, Oberlin College, and Morgan State University. He also helped coordinate a college program at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women. Asante-Muhammad has served and serves on various advisory committees and boards, including The Racial Equity Subcommittee of the Joe Biden Economic Policy Committee, Better Markets, the Advancing Black Strategists Initiative, and the Council of US Financial Health Network.
Asante-Muhammad has been featured in outlets including The Hill, MarketWatch, Yahoo! News, Bloomberg, CNN, MSNBC, Time, The New York Times, C-SPAN, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Atlantic, TheGrio, Black Enterprise, and Inside Philanthropy. An avid writer and researcher, more of Asante-Muhammad’s work can be found in Medium, HuffPost, and the Racial Wealth Divide Initiative’s blog.
Asante-Muhammad has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government from Williams College and a master’s degree in Systematic Theology from Union Theological Seminary.
MONICA MITCHELL
Chief of Staff
Monica Mitchell serves as chief of staff at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, America's Black think tank. In this role, she provides strategic leadership for the organization's research agenda, program initiatives, and operational excellence.
Mitchell brings over 20 years of experience in banking, community and economic development, social impact strategy, and philanthropic leadership. Before joining the Joint Center, she served as Senior Vice President, Chief of Staff and Executive Director of National Strategic Programs for the Wells Fargo Foundation, one of the nation's largest corporate foundations with over $300M in annual philanthropic investments. There, she led the management of the Office of the President, strategic planning, transformative initiatives focused on economic empowerment and community development, and cross-functional initiatives of the Foundation and bank, including leading the $1.6 billion 'Where We Live' place-based initiative, coordinating cross-sector partnerships to develop innovative equity-centered programs focused on housing, small business, workforce development, and asset-building.
As an executive in Community and Government Affairs, Mitchell was responsible for Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) federal compliance while maintaining relationships with national civil rights organizations, community leaders, and government officials. Throughout her career, she has developed collaborative programs with organizations, including the NAACP, National Urban League, US Black Chambers, and National Community Reinvestment Coalition, among others. Mitchell's policy and philanthropic expertise spans multiple sectors, including K-12 education, affordable housing, small business, youth and workforce development, and higher education equity, with a focus on inclusive engagement with diverse communities, including rural populations, opportunity youth, foster youth, formerly incarcerated persons (returning citizens), immigrant and refugee communities.
Mitchell is the founder and President of the Board of the all-girls Lillie May Carroll Jackson Middle School in Baltimore City, serving girls in 5th-8th grades, and serves on the board of the Eddie and C. Sylvia Brown Family Foundation, one of the nation's most influential Black Family Foundations advancing racial equity across philanthropy. She was a founding member of the United Way Emerging Leaders United Program and served on Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott's 2020 transition team.
Mitchell was appointed by Governor Wes Moore to the Maryland Affordable Housing Trust Board in 2024 and also serves as a Baltimore City Commissioner, appointed by Mayor Brandon Scott and the Baltimore City Council.
Mitchell has served as a sought-after speaker for keynotes, conferences, and panels across the country, and her expertise has been featured in Inside Philanthropy, CNN, The Washington Post, and other national publications. Mitchell holds a Master's of Liberal Arts in Management, with a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Harvard University, a Bachelor's in Business Administration from the University of Maryland, and completed the Executive Leadership Program at UCLA's Anderson School of Management.
Her numerous distinctions include being named to the Top 50 Influential Marylanders List, receiving the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Shes100 Award, Black Wall Street Award, becoming the youngest recipient of the Associated Black Charities ICON Award, and being one of the youngest inductees into the Maryland Top 100 Women Circle of Excellence.
OPAL HAWKINS
Chief Financial Officer
Opal Hawkins is the chief financial officer at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. As CFO, she oversees all aspects of the organization’s financial operations, including accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, business systems, financing, and human resources.
Before joining the Joint Center, Hawkins held CFO positions at prominent organizations such as the University Professional Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) and PayPal Giving Fund. She has a proven track record of driving strategic and structural changes, particularly during periods of significant market disruption.
With over 20 years of financial expertise in the non-profit sector, Hawkins has held leadership roles at organizations like the American Society of Association Executives, Online Computerized Library Cooperative, and Prosperity Now. She has also consulted for the American Association of Retired Persons and serves as an advisor to Enterprising Ventures of Color.
Prior to her non-profit career, Hawkins began her financial journey at Price Waterhouse.
Hawkins holds a Georgetown University Certificate from the Public Policy Institute in Non-Profit Management, a BS degree from the University of Maryland Global Campus, and an MBA from Northcentral University.
STEVE HAWKINS
Vice President, Research and Programs
Steve Hawkins is the vice president of Research and Programs at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. Hawkins brings 30 years of experience as a senior executive leader in the areas of civil and human rights, policy reform, and philanthropy. He has held numerous positions over the course of his career, including as Executive Director for Amnesty International USA, Executive Vice President for the NAACP, and Program Executive at Atlantic Philanthropies. At the NAACP, Hawkins oversaw programs in health, education, economics, and criminal justice. He also hired the first-ever program director for environmental justice and helped launch a job placement initiative for returning citizens in Fortune 500 companies.
Before joining the Center, Hawkins served as the managing director of the only litigation finance fund in the United States dedicated to supporting civil cases brought on behalf of underserved communities.
Hawkins holds a JD from NYU School of Law where he was a Root-Tilden Scholar and Junior Fellow at the Center for International Studies. He also holds a BA from Harvard College in Economics and was awarded the Michael Clark Rockefeller Fellowship upon graduation to study abroad in southern Africa. Among his many distinctions, Hawkins was honored as the 2017-18 Weisberg Chair in Human Rights at Beloit College.
SOPHIA KERBY
Vice President, Government Affairs
Sophia Kerby is the vice president of Government Affairs at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, where she leads the organization’s legislative and advocacy efforts. Sophia brings over 14 years of experience in legislative advocacy, philanthropy, and government. Prior to joining the Joint Center, Sophia served as a Senior Advisor to the Women's Bureau at the U.S. Department of Labor under the Biden-Harris Administration, where she played a pivotal role in supporting women's economic empowerment through the implementation of the Investing in America agenda. As Principal of Policy and Advocacy at Omidyar Network, a global philanthropy, she directed federal and state government affairs work at the intersection of technology, the economy, and belonging.
Sophia’s extensive experience also encompasses state and local policy advocacy in reproductive and sexual health, as well as research and analysis on the intersection of race, democracy, and the economy. Recognized as a strategic thinker and collaborative leader, she excels at building partnerships and driving consensus to advance equity. Sophia has trained hundreds of elected officials and advocates on storytelling, organizing, and policy advocacy.
Sophia holds an MBA from Georgetown University with a focus on social impact and sustainable business and a BA from the University of Maryland, College Park.
DR. LASHONDA BRENSON
Senior Researcher
Dr. LaShonda Brenson, Ph.D., is the senior researcher at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, where she leads our Hill Diversity research. Prior to her current role, she served as the senior fellow of diversity and inclusion at the Joint Center.
Prior to the Joint Center, Dr. Brenson served as a civil rights analyst at the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. At the Commission, Dr. Brenson organized national briefings and wrote reports on municipal fines and fees and its impact on minority communities, minority voting rights, and women in prison. Previously, she was the research director at Project Vote, a national, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization founded on the belief that an organized, diverse electorate is the key to a better America.
Dr. Brenson earned her bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Political Science from the University of Rochester, and her Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Using qualitative interviews with congressional staffers and quantitative methods, her dissertation research provides evidence that the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), as institutions, matter. One way she demonstrates the added value of the CBC and CHC is by illustrating that when caucus members serve as caucus leaders, they introduce more bills because of their additional staff capacity.
Read her policy analysis and commentary here.
CLAIRE CAMPBELL
Director, People and Operations
Claire Campbell is the director of People and Operations at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, where she focuses on building structures and policies that allow for organizational growth and centering values.
Previously, Campbell was the director of Operations at Millennial Action Project (MAP), whose mission is to empower young elected officials with the tools and resources they need to be effective and empathetic leaders. Before MAP, Campbell served as director of Operations at West Wing Writers, a speechwriting and strategic communications firm, where she played an integral role in helping the company double in size during her tenure
A graduate of Heidelberg University, Campbell lives in Ohio with her partner, Andrew, and their two Goldendoodles, Bo and Arnie.
DANIELLE A. (DAVIS) CANTY, ESQ.
Senior Advisor and Director, Technology Policy
Danielle A. (Davis) Canty, Esq., is the senior advisor and director of Technology Policy at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, where she leads the organization's Technology Policy program. Her primary areas of focus encompass broadband adoption and access, content moderation, and privacy issues. She brings a wealth of experience to her role as a highly accomplished attorney specializing in technology and telecommunications law, policy development, and civil rights advocacy.
Before assuming her current position, Canty held the role of assistant general counsel at the Universal Service Administrative Company. In this capacity, she provided legal counsel related to the administration of the Affordable Connectivity Program and the USF Lifeline Program. Additionally, she served as a Tech and Telecom Policy counsel at the Multicultural Media, Telecom, and Internet Council. Here, she offered guidance on tech and telecom matters to leadership, managed the fellowship program, reviewed outgoing communications, and drafted and edited comments submitted to the FCC and NTIA.
Canty's dedication to advancing technology and telecom policy is evident in her prior work as a Tech and Telecom Policy fellow at the National Urban League Washington Bureau. In this role, she advised senior management on tech and telecom issues, collaborated on cross-functional teams and projects, and was responsible for drafting U.S. congressional testimony, policy recommendations, comments, letters, and digital outreach materials.
Canty's impressive academic background includes a Juris Doctor degree from Barry University, Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law, as well as a Bachelor of Science in General Economics and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Florida Atlantic University, where she graduated cum laude. She is an active member of the Florida Bar, the Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA), and the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). Canty also serves as a co-chair on the FCBA's Privacy and Data Security Committee.
Notably, Canty is a skilled writer and editor, having held the esteemed positions of Editor-in-Chief of the Southern Journal of Policy and Justice and Senior Editor of the Barry Law Review during her time in law school. She has also authored numerous publications and conducted research at the intersection of technology, law, and civil rights, further demonstrating her commitment to advancing these critical issues.
CANTRELL DUMAS
Senior Researcher, Financial Regulation and Policy
Cantrell Dumas is senior researcher for Financial Regulation and Policy at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. His work focuses on retirement security and intergenerational economic stability among older Black Americans.
Prior to joining the Joint Center, Dumas served as Director of Derivatives Policy at Better Markets, where he led the organization’s work on derivatives and commodities policy, with a particular focus on the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. His work spanned the full policymaking process and included participation in regulatory rulemakings, development of policy recommendations, authorship of original research and advocacy materials, and direct engagement with regulators, policymakers, and industry stakeholders on issues related to derivatives markets, market structure, and financial stability.
Before Better Markets, Mr. Dumas spent nearly a decade at the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, where he helped develop and implement rules governing the derivatives markets. He also served at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation during the financial crisis, advising senior leadership on failed-bank resolutions and working with other financial regulators to preserve market confidence and protect consumers.
Mr. Dumas holds a law degree from Columbia Law School and a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of South Alabama.
DR. KAYLA ELLIOTT
Director, Workforce Policy
Kayla C. Elliott, Ph.D., is director of Workforce Policy at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, America’s Black think tank. She leads a team of experts who center Black communities in policy debates concerning the future of work, workforce development, and access to good jobs. Prior to the Joint Center, Dr. Elliott was the director for higher education policy at The Education Trust. She has shared her expertise on outlets such as The Washington Post, TheGrio, and The Chronicle of Higher Education.
Dr. Elliott also holds a master's in philanthropy and a certificate in nonprofit management and has worked on P-20 education issues with a range of nonprofit organizations, including Lumina Foundation, the Southern Education Foundation, and Teach For America. Dr. Elliott earned a Ph.D. in higher education leadership from Florida Atlantic University, where she taught undergraduate courses and worked in research roles in the College of Education and the Provost’s Office.
A proud HBCU advocate and third-generation alumna, Dr. Elliott studied business administration at Fisk University. Dr. Elliott is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She enjoys cooking, reading, and exploring parks, festivals, and restaurants in the Washington, D.C. area.
KENNEDY FORTNER
Communications Associate
Kennedy Fortner is the communications associate at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, providing support to the communications department through a range of functions. These include overseeing the Joint Center's weekly and monthly newsletters, monitoring media placements, and managing the press pages, blogs, and event placements on the website.
Prior to her role at the Joint Center, Fortner served as a communications intern at Alma DDB. In this position, she was responsible for managing and distributing daily trend reports to company executives, providing information on clients, competitors, and relevant agency news. She also drafted storyline angles for senior executives to pitch to major advertising trades, developed press releases and advertising award write-ups, and led the graphic creation of social media posts for platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Additionally, she was involved in writing social media and internal communications copy. Fortner also worked as a public affairs assistant for the City of Miami Gardens, where she spearheaded the curation of social media content for community outreach events and summits.
Fortner earned her Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations with a minor in Graphic Design from Howard University. During her time at Howard, she participated in ColorComm as a 2023 HBCU Fellow. As part of this program, she had the opportunity to meet with mentors and address diversity and inclusion in the communications, marketing, advertising, media, and digital industries.
VICTORIA JOHNSON
Director, Digital Communications
Victoria Johnson is the digital communications director at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies where she serves as the Joint Center's visual storyteller and manages the Joint Center's digital media including social media, website, and other multimedia platforms. Johnson joined the Joint Center team in 2018 as the digital communications specialist, served as its communications manager from Feb. 2021 to Dec. 2022, and digital multimedia director from Jan. 2023 to May 2024.
Prior to joining the Joint Center, she spent six years as a journalist earning robust newspaper and magazine experience while reporting on policy and entertainment for New York Daily News, New York Amsterdam News, Teen Vogue, Mashable, Vulture, and more.
She earned a bachelor's degree in advertising and public relations at The City College of New York and a master's degree in journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism (formerly CUNY Graduate School of Journalism), where she specialized in urban city reporting.
CARLTON LANGFORD
Special Assistant, Policy
Carlton Langford is the special assistant of Policy at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, where he brings extensive experience in project coordination, administrative support, and organizational management. His career has been dedicated to supporting organizations that advance equity, with a focus on impactful missions that benefit marginalized communities.
At Northwestern University’s Institute for Policy Research, Langford served in an administrative role where he coordinated a prestigious research assistant program, optimized executive scheduling, and supported high-profile events like the Distinguished Public Policy Lecture. He previously served as the Coming Home Program Intake Coordinator at the Georgia Justice Project, where he supported Black residents navigating the record restriction process. He conducted community outreach to educate disenfranchised citizens about their rights, reviewed legal documents for attorney analysis, and empowered individuals to pursue legislative advocacy. At Housing Opportunities for Women, Inc., he managed accounts payable for a nonprofit addressing housing insecurity, ensuring compliance with federal and state grants to effectively allocate funding to vulnerable populations.
He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Howard University and is committed to advancing equitable policy solutions through research, collaboration, and organizational excellence.
DR. LATOYA B. PARKER
Senior Researcher
LaToya B. Parker, Ph.D., is the senior researcher in the Office of the President at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, where she leads the organization’s Economic Policy and Tax Policy programs. Working closely with Joint Center President Dedrick Asante-Muhammad, she focuses on addressing wealth inequality and advancing policies that promote Black economic justice.
Since joining the Joint Center, Dr. Parker relaunched the tax policy program and led the inaugural Wealth Agenda Convening — a high-profile national event focused on tax reform, economic inclusivity, and equitable access to the green economy. She's also in the process of relaunching the Joint Center's national Tax Advisory Committee while leading the organization's engagement in national coalitions advancing fiscal justice and racial equity, and collaborating with other policy stakeholders to shape priorities for Black economic policy.
Before joining the Joint Center, Dr. Parker served as Research Study Manager at Westat, where she oversaw multimillion-dollar federal projects, conducted policy analyses through an equity lens, and led federal rulemaking and regulatory writing processes. At Decision Information Resources, she contributed to impact evaluations for national equity initiatives, including Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Greenwood Initiative, which led to $600 million in investments toward equity in medical education.
As a policy consultant with The Century Foundation, she analyzed federal appropriations tied to the Farm Bill, helping to uncover a $12 billion funding disparity between HBCU and non-HBCU land-grant institutions. Her work contributed to national policy attention and informed reform efforts to address historic underfunding.
Dr. Parker holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies from Howard University, where her dissertation, Congressional Access: Examining the Federal Lobbying of HBCU Doctoral Universities, explored the advocacy strategies of HBCU doctoral institutions through a mixed-methods approach grounded in Interest Convergence Theory and Critical Realism. She also holds a Master of Social Work in Community Administration and Policy from Howard University and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Eastern Michigan University.
Dedicated to dismantling systemic barriers to racial and economic equity, Dr. Parker bridges research, policy, and advocacy to drive meaningful, lasting change for Black communities.
JORDAN ROEBUCK
Senior Associate of Development
Jordan Roebuck is the senior associate of development at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, helping execute the organization’s fundraising strategies. His work includes managing donor relationships, tracking donations, and coordinating fundraising initiatives.
Before joining the Joint Center, Roebuck recently completed an internship with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in Congressman Jerrold Nadler’s DC office, where he gained hands-on experience in legislative research, constituent services, and the policymaking process. His role included conducting policy research, drafting memos, attending hearings, and supporting legislative initiatives for New York’s 10th Congressional District. Through the CBCF’s professional development program, he expanded his knowledge of the legislative process and effective communication. Roebuck also has work experience in policy research as a former research intern for the National Black Child Development Research Institute, where he authored research papers and reports on equity issues affecting Black children, contributing to funding efforts and organizational goals
A graduate of Michigan State University’s James Madison College, Roebuck holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations and Policy with a minor in African American and African Studies. For his research detailing the lived experiences of black students in James Madison College, Roebuck was awarded the Martin Luther King, Jr. Advancing Inclusion Through Research Award. During Roebuck's time in college, he developed a strong foundation in leadership and advocacy through roles such as Parliamentarian for the Black Students’ Alliance and Treasurer of the W.E.B. DuBois Society, where he has been featured on the State News and local news stations for his efforts. Roebuck has also received the Michigan State University Black Students’ Alliance Darius Peyton Award for his leadership. Roebuck's expertise spans policy research, legislative processes, and organizational development, making him a vital contributor to initiatives that drive systemic change.
DR. GABRIELLE SMITH FINNIE
Senior Policy Analyst, Workforce Policy
Gabrielle Smith Finnie, Ph.D. is the senior policy analyst of Workforce Policy at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. Prior to joining the Joint Center, she was a research intern at the Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) and graduate assistant in the higher education PhD program at Old Dominion University. In both roles, Dr. Smith Finnie has worked to reimagine higher education and advocate for evidence-based and equity-driven practices to ensure student success in higher education and economic mobility post degree attainment.
Dr. Smith Finnie holds a master’s degree in higher education administration from Florida International University and a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Delaware. She also recently defended her Critical Participatory Action Research (CPAR) dissertation study which explored the impact and intersection of race and justice-involvement, examined Black individuals’ ideologies of freedom, and their experiences in higher education and navigating society post-justice-involvement.
Outside of her scholastic and professional pursuits, Dr. Smith Finnie is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is also an avid vinyl collector and is always looking for the best albums to add to her collection.
JOINT CENTER FELLOWS
LETTISHA "TISH" BOYD
Associate Fellow
Lettisha "Tish" Boyd is an associate fellow at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. For over a decade, Tish has worked at the intersection of organizational development, equity and inclusion, and economic empowerment for system-impacted people. She has supported various agencies and systems across 13 states in implementing specific evidence-based practices to enhance service delivery. These agencies and systems include colleges, unions, correctional departments, post-secondary education support programs, and community-based programs. Tish has also trained human resource managers on the importance and added value of hiring qualified people with criminal histories to advance equity and inclusion.
A financial health counselor certified by the National Association of Certified Credit Counselors, and extensively trained in strengths-based pedagogy, Tish is also an evidence-based practitioner certified by the Joyfields Institute. During her downtime, Tish enjoys engaging in home remodeling projects, and spending time with her nephew and goddaughter.
JESSICA FULTON
Senior Fellow
Jessica Fulton is a senior fellow at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. An expert on issues at the intersection of race and economic policy, Fulton’s work focuses on identifying and promoting policies to advance the socioeconomic status of the Black community. In her previous role as the Joint Center vice president of Policy, she oversaw the Joint Center’s research and policy team and led our Economic Policy research.
Before joining the Joint Center, she served as external relations director at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, where she worked with scholars to advance policymaker understanding of the connection between economic inequality and economic growth. She has also held local research and advocacy positions at the DC Fiscal Policy Institute and the Chicago Urban League.
Fulton is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She serves on the Board of The Black Swan Academy, an organization focused on increasing civic engagement among Black youth, and the Advisory Board of the Sadie Collective, which strives to increase the representation of Black women in economics. Fulton earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Chicago and a master’s degree in Economic Policy Analysis from the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business at Depaul University.
Read her policy analysis and commentary here.
NARDA M. JONES
Fellow
Narda M. Jones is a fellow at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. She is a nationally recognized expert in technology, telecommunications, and public policy, with more than two decades of leadership spanning Capitol Hill, the Executive Branch, and federal and state government. She currently serves as a Senior Fellow at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, where she supports legislative affairs and stakeholder outreach efforts to promote equity-centered technology and economic policy.
Most recently, Jones served as Chief of Staff at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), where she was a key advisor to the Chairwoman and directed the agency’s strategic, legislative, and policy operations. She previously held a senior role at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) as Director of Legislative Affairs, where she led congressional strategy on broadband, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies. Earlier in her career, she served as Senior Counsel for Communications and Technology Policy on the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee under Chairwoman Maria Cantwell, advising on legislation and oversight related to broadband, media, and consumer protection.
Prior to her federal service, Jones held public interest legal roles, including Assistant Attorney General in Minnesota and Assistant City Attorney in Minneapolis. She began her legal career as an AmeriCorps attorney, delivering direct legal services to underserved communities.
Jones graduated with a BA from Wesleyan University and her juris doctorate from Brooklyn Law School.
NICOLAINE LAZARRE
Associate Fellow
Nicolaine Lazarre is an associate fellow at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. She is a seasoned executive with more than 20 years of experience at the intersection of law, social impact, and organizational transformation. A trusted advisor to Csuites, boards, and policymakers, she has built a distinguished career advancing equitable access to technology, economic opportunity, and justice for underserved communities.
Most recently, Lazarre served as Vice President of External Affairs at Charter Communications, where she advanced the company’s national policy objectives by working collaboratively with industry stakeholders and civil rights, consumer, and community-based organizations to support legislative and regulatory priorities in broadband access, deployment, and digital opportunity. She was appointed to a federal advisory committee providing recommendations to the Federal Communications Commission on advancing equity in communications policy and digital access.
Prior to Charter, Lazarre served as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at the Urban Resource Institute, the nation’s largest provider of domestic violence shelter services. As a member of the Executive Team, she led all legal affairs, including complex commercial real estate acquisitions and transactions supporting the organization’s shelter and housing portfolio, and designed enterprise-wide risk management systems. She previously dedicated more than a decade to the National Urban League, where she served as General Counsel and founded and scaled the organization’s legal department from the ground up. She in-sourced over $62 million annually in grant and transaction management, reduced outside counsel costs by 47 percent, and generated more than $18 million in organizational value. As lead negotiator of landmark civil rights MOUs with Fortune 50 communications firms, she secured commitments that unlocked millions of dollars in philanthropy, procurement, and employment opportunities for diverse-led nonprofits, legal and financial services professionals, and consumers in underserved communities.
An accomplished corporate finance and governance specialist, Lazarre brings deep expertise in regulatory compliance, complex transactions, and board governance. She began her legal career at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, where she focused on corporate and structured finance.
She has also served as an Adjunct Associate Professor at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Nonprofit Management and is a longstanding board member of the Multicultural Media, Telecommunications and Internet Council, one of the nation’s leading civil rights organizations advancing diversity and inclusion in media and technology.
She holds a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, where she served as a law clerk at the Institute for Public Representation, and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Houston.
ERIC MORRISSETTE
Senior Fellow
Eric Morrissette is a senior fellow at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. He is a seasoned public policy leader who served as Acting Under Secretary of Commerce under the Biden-Harris Administration, overseeing the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) and its mission to support nearly 11 million minority-owned businesses. Previously, as Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary of Commerce, he played a key role in place-based economic development, national security, and managing operations across the Department’s 13 bureaus. As Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, he was instrumental in securing the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act, while also leading government engagement and confirmation efforts across the Department.
Morrissette’s career spans key leadership roles in government, including serving as Deputy Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, managing the U.S. House Financial Services Subcommittee on National Security, International Development, and Monetary Policy, and holding positions in analysis and operations at the CIA. He also advised the Federal Reserve’s Board Members and began his career as a Legislative Aide to Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer. Across these roles, he has driven policies that advance economic empowerment, equity, and transparency at the highest levels of government.
A Brooklyn, New York native, Morrissette holds a B.A. from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and an M.A. from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), where he was both a Global Public Policy Fellow and a Bryce Harlow Fellow. He lives in Maryland with his wife, Rexanah P. Wyse Morrissette, Esq., and their daughter.
MARSHAWN WOLLEY
Associate Fellow
Marshawn Wolley is an associate fellow at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. He is a researcher, policy practitioner, and nonprofit executive whose work focuses on philanthropy, community development finance, small business ecosystems, and urban policy. He is President and CEO of Black Onyx Management, an applied research and consulting firm that partners with public, private, and philanthropic institutions to design data-driven strategies that strengthen communities and expand economic opportunity.
Wolley is a doctoral candidate in Philanthropic Studies at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University Indianapolis. His research examines community development financial institutions, capital access for Black-owned businesses, and the policy conditions shaping local economic mobility. His broader scholarly interests include civic engagement, stratification economics, public management, and urban affairs.
Before founding Black Onyx Management, Wolley served in government and community leadership roles, including as a mayoral neighborhood liaison and in positions focused on community outreach, fundraising, and MWBE development. He also held academic appointments with the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA), where he served as a Lecturer or Public Affairs, teaching courses in public management, community development, and justice-related policy, and contributing to student and community engagement initiatives. He has also served as associate faculty at the IU Kelley School of Business at Indiana University—Indianapolis.
His applied research and policy analysis have informed initiatives related to community investment, public safety, mental health response, and small business development. Studies he has led or contributed to have helped guide local strategies on neighborhood investment, crisis response, and economic opportunity, reflecting a practitioner-scholar approach that bridges research and implementation.
Wolley is a frequent speaker and commentator on philanthropy, economic development, and public policy, and has authored numerous research reports, policy analyses, and opinion columns in regional and national outlets. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Indiana University Bloomington, a Master of Public Affairs from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs, a Master of Business Administration, a Master of Science in Econometrics, and a Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies from Indiana University.
TAX POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
This group of scholars and thought leaders will support the Joint Center’s Tax Policy Program by providing their expertise and collaborating on policy development.
The members include:
- Beverly Moran, professor emerita of law at Vanderbilt University, senior fellow at the Roosevelt Institute, and senior fellow at the Paulus Endowment for Tax Programs at Boston College.
- Janis Bowdler, former counselor for racial equity at the U.S. Department of Treasury
- Jeremie Greer, co-founder and co-executive director at Liberation in a Generation
- Brakeyshia Samms, senior policy analyst and social justice fellow at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy
- Portia Allen-Kyle, interim executive director at Color of Change
- Goldburn Maynard, professor of law, University of Connecticut School of Law
Learn more about the committee here.