Joint Center Welcomes Five New Board Members

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 19, 2026
Contact: Kennedy Fortner, kennedy.fortner@jointcenter.org

WASHINGTON — The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies is proud to announce the addition of five new board members — Steve Benjamin, president and CEO of The Benjamin Firm, LLC; Alexis Holmes, founder and president of Vergarde Strategies; Alyson Northrup, senior policy officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF); Derrick Plummer, director of modern operations and customer success at Intuit; and Joi Sheffield, executive director of The Links, Inc. 

“We are excited to welcome Steve, Alexis, Alyson, Derrick, and Joi to the Joint Center Board of Governors. Their addition will help to take ‘America’s Black Think Tank’ to the next level and continue to ‘play offense’ on issues of importance to Black communities in these challenging times,” said Joint Center Board of Governors Chair Paul N.D. Thornell. “I’d also like to salute former board members Kenneth Jones, Tony Williams, Carla Thompson Payton, and Dr. Jean-Phillipe Austin, who departed from the board in 2025 after years of distinguished service. Their work certainly played a role in pushing us forward. Our new members bring exceptional records of service throughout their careers and will be outstanding ambassadors, helping shape our next chapter and filling the shoes of those who have left. We are proud of our strengthened foundation — both in mission and operations — with an empowered and engaged board.”        

Joint Center President Dedrick Asante-Muhammad said, “The Joint Center team is grateful to have Steve, Alexis, Alyson, Derrick, and Joi join our board. We sought out individuals who deeply understand our mission as America’s Black Think Tank and are willing to utilize their expertise and be strong advocates, helping drive meaningful change and empowering Black communities. We will continue leading as a forum for advancing initiatives that support the full freedom of Black Americans and we look forward to expanding our organizational reach.”     

Learn more about our new board members here. 

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About the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies 

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, America’s Black think tank, provides compelling and actionable policy solutions to eradicate persistent and evolving barriers to the full freedom of Black people in America. We are the trusted forum for leading experts and scholars to participate in major public policy debates and promote ideas that advance Black communities. We use evidence-based research, analysis, convenings, and strategic communications to support Black communities and a network of allies.