Joint Center Updates

Six New Board Members

Joint Center Welcomes Six New Board Members 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 30, 2025

Contact:
Kennedy Fortner, kennedy@jointcenter.org

Joint Center Welcomes Six New Board Members

WASHINGTON — The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies is proud to announce the addition of six new board members — Dr. Devin Fergus, Dengler-Dykema professor of history and public affairs at Claremont McKenna College; Nat Hoopes, vice president of government relations and regulatory affairs at Upstart; Kimberly Hulsey, former chief diversity and inclusion officer at Locke Lord LLP; Troy Perry, senior director of policy at Omidyar Network; Otis Rolley, social impact advisor for David Steward at Kingdom Capital; and Lillian Singh, senior vice president of family economic mobility at Share Our Strength.

“We are thrilled to welcome Devin, Nat, Kimberly, Troy, Otis, and Lillian to the Joint Center Board of Governors,” said Joint Center Board of Governors Chair Paul N.D. Thornell. “Former board members Paula Boyd, Chanelle Hardy, Michael Collins, Dr. Safiya Noble, and LaTosha Brown left a tremendous mark on the Joint Center and our mission, and we truly thank them for their service. Their work and support of the Joint Center have certainly played a part in advancing us to where we are today. To fill those shoes, we sought out individuals deeply committed to our mission and ready to build on the impactful legacy left by our former board members, and I believe we have found them. With the addition of our six new members, the Joint Center will continue leading as a forum for experts and scholars, championing critical policy discussions, and advancing initiatives that support the full freedom of Black Americans.”

“The addition of six new board members marks an exciting and transformative moment for the Joint Center board,” said Ashley Lewis, incoming chair of the Board Governance Committee. “As the incoming chair of this crucial committee, I am thrilled to step into this role and collaborate with the incoming board members to push the Joint Center to even greater heights. Since joining the board in 2023, I’ve witnessed firsthand how the organization has continued to innovate and grow. With this remarkable opportunity, I am eager to contribute to the Joint Center’s future.”

Joint Center President Dedrick Asante-Muhammad said, “The Joint Center team is grateful to have Devin, Nat, Kimberly, Troy, Otis, and Lillian join the board. Their addition strengthens our resolve to drive meaningful change and empower Black communities. They have been dedicated champions of our mission and strong advocates of our work and we look forward to leveraging their expertise and further expanding the organization and creating a lasting impact.”

The Joint Center thanks former board members Paula Boyd, Chanelle Hardy, Michael Collins, Dr. Safiya Noble, and LaTosha Brown, who rotated off the board at the end of their terms in 2024, for their dedication to advancing the Joint Center’s mission during their tenure.

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.