Articles by Dr. LaShonda Brenson
Dr. LaShonda Brenson
Joint Center Tracker Final Update of Racial Diversity of Top Staff Hires in 119th Congress
By LaShonda Brenson, Ph.D. and Kimberly Victor As of Feb. 28, members of Congress have filled 1,509 of the 1,599 top positions (chiefs of staff, legislative directors, and communications directors)…
Joint Center Tracker Second Update of Racial Diversity of Top Staff Hires in 119th Congress
By LaShonda Brenson Ph.D., and Kimberly Victor As of January 10, members of Congress have filled 1,466 of the 1,599 top positions (chiefs of staff, legislative directors, and communications directors)…
Joint Center Tracker Update of Racial Diversity of Top Staff Hires in 119th Congress
By LaShonda Brenson, Ph.D., and Kimberly Victor There are 1602 top positions (chiefs of staff, legislative directors, and communications directors) in the personal offices of new and returning members of…
Digging Deeper: 2024 Senate Democratic Caucus Diversity Numbers
By Dr. LaShonda Brenson and Kimberly Victor On July 31, 2024, the Senate Democratic Caucus released an update of its demographic data on Democratic staff (find 2024 numbers here and…
Pathway Staff Diversity in Senate Personal Offices
By LaShonda Brenson, Ph.D., and Kimberly Victor This report, Pathway Staff Diversity in Senate Personal Offices, provides evidence regarding the lack of racial diversity among U.S. Senate “pathway” staff. In…
Racial Diversity Among Top Staff in Senate Personal Offices
By LaShonda Brenson, Ph.D. and Kimberly Victor This report, Racial Diversity Among Top Staff in Senate Personal Offices, provides evidence regarding the need for more racial diversity among U.S.…
Building a More Inclusive Agenda: A Survey of Congressional Priorities Across Race — Racial Equity Priorities
By LaShonda Brenson, Ph.D. and Kimberly Victor Discussions about race-conscious policies, the policies that address systemic barriers facing people of color, have experienced a resurgence in recent years. Proponents of…
Congressional Top Priorities: Passing Legislation to Ensure Americans Have the Right to Vote is Respondents’ Top Priority
As the 118th Congress enters the last months of the year, it faces a number of pressing priorities. Right now, members of Congress seek to confirm presidential appointees and pass…
Digging Deeper: 2023 Senate Democratic Caucus Diversity Numbers
By Dr. LaShonda Brenson and Kimberly Victor On July 13, 2023, the Senate Democratic Caucus released an update of its demographic data on Democratic staff (find 2023 numbers here and…
Pessimism and Hope: A Survey of the Financial Status and Aspirations of Black Americans
For the report, Pessimism and Hope: A Survey of the Financial Status and Aspirations of Black Americans, the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies and NORC at the…