Mandla Deskins Email & Phone Number

Washington, Dc, Us

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Lead state and local field advocacy and engagement work across the country to further the mission of the NAACP. Responsibilities include:Developing and leading the first NAACP multi-state legislative advocacy structure and strategy, including- developing a multi-year multi-state legislative advocacy framework for the NAACP national office.- the creation and delivery of 2023 NAACP State Legislative Advocacy Week (of action).- leading the development of state legislative advocacy materials including factsheets, toolkits, and webinar trainings.Building state and county NAACP leader capacity to effectively engage in advocacy, including- training leaders on advocacy strategy and tactics, lobbying, and organizational structure.- providing strategic guidance and support on various issue campaigns- working internally to increase effectiveness of national and field advocacy engagement.Leading national issue campaign field engagement strategy.Leading rapid response to strategy on pressing national, state, and local racial justice issues.Advising staff and partners on all NAACP field advocacy engagement.

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

I managed and moved policy advocacy campaigns to advance a financial reform agenda for Black, white and Brown working people in Congress, centering racial justice as a key component of economic justice.Responsibilities included- Lead our organizational federal advocacy strategy on wealth inequality, with a focus on tax justice, stopping the flow of wealth to the rich, and the connection between white supremacy and wealth extraction.- Engaged Congressional staff and national organizations to develop and promote our coalition's agenda.- Built and maintained relationships with state and local partners on grassroots and grasstops outreach, mobilization, and advocacy strategies.- Worked with AFR’s digital lead to ramp up Take on Wall Street’s social media presence, maintain website, and manage email action list. Worked with coalition partners to develop, maintain and share campaign materials and resources necessary to succeed in our collective advocacy.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Fight Crime Invest In Kids is an national organization of over 5000 Law Enforcement Leaders (Chiefs, Sheriffs and Prosecutors) and violence survivors. At Fight Crime Invest In Kids, we take a look at research to find out what works to keep kids out of crime, and help bring the voices and perspectives of law enforcement leaders to state and federal policymakers on investing in kids as a crime prevention strategy. In my capacity as a Senior Associate, I manage a portfolio of 12 states, where I am responsible for recruiting, engaging, and raising the voices of law enforcement leaders to state and federal policy makers. An average month in my position may include a combination of state and federal strategic planning, the execution of various tactics, including but not limited to policymaker meetings and sign-on letters, and the recruitment and engagement groundwork to make sure members are responsive and enthusiastic about the mission.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

• Created and implemented strategic issue-based grassroots organizing plans for over 300 NAACP adult, college and youth units in Maryland, Washington D.C., and Virginia. • Managed the administration of local NAACP units in the Region, where I supported a volunteer membership of over 8000 adults, college students, and youth.• Acted as the liaison between the NAACP units, national, regional, state and local coalition partners, and National NAACP staff, where I worked to convey and support the goals of each interest group and facilitate collaborations to strengthen and implement my regional strategy.• Acted as regional spokesperson for the National office of the NAACP, where I presented the agenda of the NAACP National office and acted as brand ambassador to the region. In this capacity, my duties included speaking engagements, representing the national office at local unit and partner meetings, and attendance at local events.• Created and facilitate community engagement and organizing trainings with state, college, and local units.• Designed, developed and am implemented civic engagement programs tailored to each state.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

• Assisted with the management of the NAACP National Voting Rights Campaign ( including coordination, field event facilitation, research, coalition building and campaign management)• Assisted with the facilitation and manage the rollout of the Youth and College VRA campaign, were duties included coalition building among chapters and partners, production of materials, overall vision planning and internal communications.• Presented on Voting Rights to NAACP Youth Leadership, including powerpoint presentations, strategy workshops, and speeches to audiences of between 20 and 100 people. • Acted as Liaison between the NAACP Voting Rights Initiative and various internal and external stakeholders, including grassroots and executive level staff.• Facilitated meetings between institutional stakeholders and partner organizations.• Acted as scheduler/ assistant to Senior Advisor to the NAACP CEO.

U.S. House Of Representatives

•Responsible for constituent communications for Congressman Brady’s Washington, DC Office – crafted correspondence letters, answered constituent calls and lead Capitol Tours.•Performed a variety of Policy Work for the Office – Attended and reported on committee hearings and assisted with legislative research for policy projects, as directed by legislative director.•Performed vital administrative tasks to assist with the operation of the office.

San Francisco Bay Area

• Coordinated and facilitated the local level Public Sector 2011 fundraising campaign• Coordinated and facilitated the 2011 Combined Charities Campaign• Was UWBA key contact person with county and local public sector staff, including executive level staff• Represented the UWBA at various workplace and managerial meetings and events• Gave three to five speeches a week• Acted as administrative assistant to Development Officer

San Rafael, Ca

• Advanced the organizational advocacy agenda by developing relationships with community leaders and county and local government officials• Coordinated the Marin City MLK Coalition (a group of senior level Marin City community stakeholders, including representatives from area non-profits, religious institutions, and city and county government officials). My duties included developing an action platform for the coalition, holding monthly and special meetings, engaging local community members, and acting as a liaison between governing bodies and institutional stakeholders in the county and the coalition• Monitored pending state and regional legislation • Planned programs in accordance with the associate and executive director, in order to serve the Marin City community while completing the requirements of our funding partners• Represented the organization at various meetings, including the Sausalito/Marin City school board, the Marin County Board of Supervisors, and the Marin Housing Authority• Assisted in the planning and coordination of the 13th annual Marin City Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

Tallahassee, Florida Area

• Conducted in-depth analysis of proposed and pending legislation• Counseled the Legislative Aide on possible effects of impending legislation• Developed relationships with staff and government relations personnel• Monitored pending legislation from introduction to committee hearing to floor vote.