LGBTQ Victory Fund works to achieve and sustain equality by increasing the number of openly LGBTQ elected officials at all levels of government while ensuring they reflect the diversity of those they serve.

Weeksville Heritage Center is an historic site and cultural center in Central Brooklyn that uses education, arts and a social justice lens to preserve, document and inspire engagement with the history of Weeksville, one of the largest free Black communities in pre-Civil War America, and the Historic Hunterfly Road Houses.

I serve as the Member's chief policy adviser, responsible for the development and implementation of all policy objectives, strategies and operating plans for the Member's office. I also manage and direct all activities and staff of the Member's Washington D.C. and district offices and coordinate the activities of the Member with Leadership and committee offices.

Cover issues regarding “Too Big to Fail:” systemic risk; the Financial Stability Oversight Council, the FDIC’s orderly liquidation authority, systemic designations, Federal Reserve supervision, and Titles I and II of the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection ActTrack legal issues and various settlements for the Committee including, fraud schemes, Bank Secrecy Act, and anti-money laundering violationsManage the Committee’s Oversight & Investigations portfolioPrepare memorandum for Members and staff on upcoming hearings and proposed legislationPrepare talking points and suggested questions for Members’ use during Committee hearingsDraft opening statements and key messaging points for Committee Members and the Ranking Member for use during Committee hearings.Organize staff briefings with key industry groups and public interest advocates to discuss upcoming hearing topics. Organize staff briefings with officials from financial agencies to discuss regulatory updatesOrganize the Ranking Member’s ongoing Financial Services Panel SeriesDraft letters and correspondents for the Ranking MemberOrganize Committee Member meetings with the heads of the financial regulatory agenciesManage the Committee’s internship and fellowship program

Drafted legislation, committee amendments, and House Floor amendments Provided information about existing law and proposed legislation consistent with the Member’s policy prioritiesProvided written and oral information about current or pending law, including codes and proposed legislation Examined, investigated, and researched issues for bill drafting and in response to questions on legal issues.Prepared legal memoranda and policy briefsOrganized congressional briefings and roundtables with community and corporate stakeholders on various issues before the subcommitteeDrafted testimony, opening statements, and questions for witnesses in preparation for Committee meetingsDrafted the Member’s filings with agencies regarding various regulatory/administrative proceedings.Launched Rep. Waters’ Financial Services Panel Series featuring leading academic and financial services industry professionals in panel discussions on current topics in financial reformDrafted Rep. Waters’ signature criminal justice reform legislation to repeal certain mandatory minimum sentences, the Major Drug Trafficking Prosecution Act.Drafted Rep. Waters signature Federal Communications Commission reform legislation, the FCC MERGER Act of 2011Drafted Rep. Waters’ amendments to the landmark patent reform bill, the America Invents ActDrafted Rep. Waters’ committee amendments to the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA)Organized Member meetings and roundtables with leading innovators in tech including: Google, Facebook, Yahoo, Amazon, and eBay.Organized Internet policy briefings and roundtables for congressional StaffDrafted Rep. Waters’ amendment to Defense authorization legislation creating a preference for defense contractors that invest in STEM education (science, technology, engineering, and math)

Researched and analyzed legal/legislative data and current events regarding Haiti’s political and institutional barriers to democratic consolidationCarried out research pursuant to making recommendations to the Rep. Waters on appropriate legislative or supportive actions to take regarding pending House resolutions and organizational support directed towards HaitiWorked with the legal counsel and legislative director to assist the congresswoman with her duties as a member of the House Judiciary Committee and Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland SecurityMet with constituents and organizations covering various issues of interest to the Congresswoman in order to make recommendations on how to vote or whether she should cosponsor a bill Drafted talking points, formal correspondence, floor statements, speeches, testimony, and questions the congresswoman could raise during committee hearings Worked as a legislative assistant to the congresswoman covering Communications policy and general legal issues concerning the judiciary committee (death penalty, mandatory minimums, and crack/powder cocaine sentencing)Drafted the Member’s filings with various agencies during administrative/regulatory proceedings.

Planned and organized the Criminal Justice Issue Forum each year as a part of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference.Select panelists and discussion topics for the upcoming panel with the honorary hostConvene meetings and conference calls with advocates and stakeholders to discuss the goals and objectives of the upcoming panelCoordinate logistics with CBCF staff Draft speeches, talking points, and moderator questions for the honorary host Maintain database of advocates and criminal justice reform activistsDraft press releases publicizing session detailsIssue forum topics have included moderated panel discussions include: an examination of disparities at the Office of the Pardon Attorney; the retroactive application of the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 which reduced the crack-powder cocaine disparity from 100:1 to 18:1; and an examination of the role bank money laundering has played in furthering criminal enterprises, drug cartels, and major drug trafficking.In 2013, confirmed participation of U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to keynote the session and discuss the Department of Justice’s policy shift regarding mandatory minimums.

Advised undergraduate committee members on implementing programming targeted towards a diverse university demographicLead the committee in planning the university’s annual “Black and White Affair.” This was a semi-formal free event in which attendees were to dress in black and/or white attire. The event featured live music, entertainment, refreshments, and a brief awards ceremony. Over 300 guests attended.Lead the committee in planning an open-mic and poetry night at Oxford’s “The Powerhouse,” the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council Community CenterLead the committee in planning a reception highlighting a few of the university’s significant monuments and role in the Civil Rights Movement as part of the university’s schedule of events leading up to the presidential debate.

·Co-Coordinated a six-week summer camp program for ‘at-risk’ Latino youths. We took the 18 children to view and tour the city library, Panther’s Stadium, other YMCAs, and served as mentors to them.·Delivered a presentation to the Board of Directors for the need for the Harris Y’s continued involvement with the Latino community. ·Assisted with the development of a new “Express Y” within Piedmont Town Center in the South Park area in what kinds of amenities the Express Y will have