2024 Chisholm List

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, born in Washington, D.C., in 1970, is the first Black woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. A Harvard graduate, she clerked for judges at various levels, including Justice Stephen Breyer. After working in private practice, she served as an assistant federal public defender and on the U.S. Sentencing Commission. Nominated by President Obama to the U.S. District Court in 2012, she was later appointed by President Biden to the U.S. Court of Appeals and then to the Supreme Court in 2022.

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield is a highly respected diplomat with decades of experience in international affairs. She currently serves as the U.S. Representative to the United Nations and the U.S. Representative on the UN Security Council, playing a crucial role in advancing U.S. foreign policy and global cooperation on key international issues such as peace and security, human rights, and sustainable development.

Shalanda Young, a native of Baton Rouge, La., serves as Clerk and Staff Director for the House Appropriations Committee. She previously served as Deputy Staff Director, Professional Staff Member, subcommittee clerk, and Detailee. As Staff Director, she oversees the $1.3 trillion annual appropriations bills, necessary disaster aid, and major aspects of COVID-19 related spending.

Lisa Cook is an esteemed American economist was the first Black woman to serve on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, appointed in May 2022. Berkeley has served as a senior economist at the Council of Economic Advisers during the Obama administration. Her work has significantly contributed to understanding the economic impacts of racial and gender disparities, and she is recognized for promoting diversity and inclusion in economics.

Commissioner Clarke is the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice. In this role, she leads the Justice Department’s broad federal civil rights enforcement efforts and works to uphold the civil and constitutional rights of all who live in America. Assistant Attorney General Clarke is a lifelong civil rights lawyer who has spent her entire career in public service. Throughout her career, Clarke has focused on work that seeks to strengthen our democracy by combating discrimination faced by African Americans and other marginalized communities.

Tish James is the 67th Attorney General for the state of New York. With decades of experience and a long record of achievements, she is a powerful, effective attorney and lifelong public servant. When she was elected in 2018, she became the first woman of color to hold statewide office in New York and the first woman to be elected Attorney General.

Stephanie Thomas has spent her entire career in public service. Prior to her election as Secretary of the State, she served as State Representative of Connecticut’s 143rd District – Norwalk, Wilton, and Westport.  As Vice-Chair of the Government Administration and Elections Committee, Stephanie sponsored and helped pass a variety of voter-focused bills. Stephanie is committed to protecting voting rights and strengthening civic education in Connecticut.

Andrea Joy Campbell made history as the first African-American woman elected Attorney General of Massachusetts. As Attorney General, she has made it her mission to fight for racial justice, protect consumer rights, and address systemic inequalities in the state. Her tenure as Attorney General marks a new chapter of transformative leadership in Massachusetts.

Juliana Stratton serves as the 48th Lieutenant Governor of Illinois, bringing empathy and expertise to her role while chairing or acting as an executive liaison for over a dozen councils, commissions, boards, and agencies. Her responsibilities include overseeing the administration’s Justice, Equity, and Opportunity Initiative and leading efforts to create pathways to economic empowerment and address food insecurity. Stratton is the immediate past Chair of the National Lieutenant Governor’s Association, a White House appointee to the federal Route 66 Centennial Commission, and actively engages in various organizations, while enjoying running, cooking, and family time.

Jessica N. Holmes became the youngest Commissioner ever elected in Wake County’s history and helped to oversee a $1.1 billion dollar budget. Subsequently, she became the youngest person to ever wield the gavel as Chair after being unanimously elected by her colleagues to lead the board for two terms.

Lydia E. York made history as the first African-American woman elected to an executive office in Delaware. As the state’s Treasurer, she has broken barriers while championing fiscal responsibility, transparency, and financial empowerment for Delaware residents. York’s career has been rooted in public service, where she has worked tirelessly to improve community access to financial resources and increase the state’s fiscal accountability.

Tahesha L. Way serves as New Jersey’s 3rd Lieutenant Governor. In addition to her role as Lieutenant Governor, Ms. Way also serves as New Jersey’s 34th Secretary of State — a position she has held since the beginning of the Murphy Administration.

As Secretary of State, Ms. Way leads one of the nation’s oldest constitutional offices and directs a department with a diverse portfolio. In her capacity as New Jersey’s top election official, she has overseen the state Division of Elections and its work in securing our democracy and ensuring broad, fair access to the right to vote.

State Controller Malia M. Cohen, elected in November 2022, oversees California’s financial resources, audits government agencies, safeguards unclaimed property, and manages payroll for state employees and the California State University system. She serves on 70 boards and commissions, including the Franchise Tax Board and the boards of CalPERS and CalSTRS, with a combined portfolio of $750 billion. Cohen has championed policies to protect public health, foster economic development, promote affordable housing, and create jobs by expanding San Francisco’s manufacturing base, dedicating her career to making public dollars work for all Californians.

During his first year as president, Joe Biden was responsible for nominating three of the 11 Black women ever confirmed as federal appeals court judges. Those judges include Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, Judge Candace Jackson-Akiwumi on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, and Cunningham. In addition, Cunningham, a 45-year-old patent attorney from Illinois, will be the first-ever Black judge U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which handles patent cases.

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Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, representing New York’s Ninth District, is the incoming chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. She is a fierce advocate for her Brooklyn community and Caribbean heritage. A senior House Energy and Commerce and Homeland Security Committees member, Clarke co-chairs the Congressional Caribbean Caucus and the Smart Cities Caucus.

Congresswoman LaMonica McIver was sworn into Congress on September 23 to represent New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District, following the passing of Representative Donald J. Payne, Jr. She made history as the first Black woman and the youngest person ever elected to Congress from New Jersey. McIver’s political journey began at age 13 and she was elected as the youngest woman to the Newark City Council in 2018, where she served as Council President for seven years.

Erica Lee Carter, the proud daughter of the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, continues her family’s legacy of service and advocacy. A dedicated advocate for children and community empowerment, Erica has experience across government and the non-profit sector. She served as a Harris County Education Trustee (2013-2019) and currently leads initiatives on economic equity and voting rights for Harris County Precinct One. Notable achievements include securing funding for afterschool programs, establishing the CROWN Act countywide, and designing an $18 million loan program for minority- and women-owned businesses.

Eddie Bernice Johnson represented Texas’s 30th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives until she passed away on December 31, 2023. We honor here this year posthumously. Rep Johnson was a trailblazer as was the first African American and woman to represent this district and become the ranking member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. She was also the first nurse elected to Congress. She served in the Texas House of Representatives and Texas State Senate before being appointed as regional director of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare by President Jimmy Carter. She will be missed.

Angela Alsobrooks is the Senator-Elect of Maryland. She aims to create jobs, lower the cost of living, strengthen youth education and improve healthcare systems. Her experience includes County Executive, former State General and Domestic Violence Prosecutor all in Prince George’s County. During her tenure, she has achieved milestones such as becoming the first woman to hold the Prince George County Executive position and the first Black woman elected to the office of County Executive in Maryland History. Having direct roots to Prince George’s County, Alsobrooks is dedicated to giving back to the community and improving the quality of life there.

Lisa Blunt Rochester is the Senator-Elect of Delaware, a position that was previously held by President Joe Biden. Grounded in hope and resilience, Lisa hopes to carry these values in the U.S. Senate position. Blunt Rochester was a leading voice in the House of Representatives on economic and future work-related issues. Having positions on the Energy and Commerce Committe, the House Committee on Agriculture and the Congressional Progressive Caucus, she has gained much knowledge and experience. She ultimately aims to create good jobs, protect seniors and secure fundamental freedoms like reproductive freedom and voting rights.

Janelle Bynum as been elected to Oregon’s 5th Congressional Seat. After four terms as an Oregon State Representative, she has established her position as a courageous trailblazer. Bynum has direct hands in the community as an entrepreneur, running four local restaurants. Her campaign rested on reaching out and helping the people of Oregon get ahead. Issues that she has focused on includes the cost of prescription drugs, LGBTQ+ rights, women’s reproductive freedom and homelessness.

Black women mayors have led major U.S. cities through some of the nation’s most challenging times. Leaders like Cherelle Parker (Philadelphia), Pamela A. Goynes-Brown (N. Las Vegas), Muriel Bowser (Washington, D.C.), London Breed (San Francisco), LaToya Cantrell (New Orleans), Vi Lyles (Charlotte, N.C.), Karen Bass (Los Angeles) and Tishaura Jones (St. Louis) navigated complex issues with resilience and determination. Their leadership exemplified grace, strength, and a deep commitment to serving their communities during critical moments.

Alyia Gaskins is the incoming mayor of Alexandria, VA, the first Black woman and the youngest person to ever hold the position. Currently working to end homelessness as a Senior Program Officer at a national philanthropic organization, Alyia has also deeply engaged with her Alexandria community, serving on commissions and nonprofits while raising her family. Guided by a lifelong commitment to justice and inclusion, she collaborates with residents, disrupts the status quo when necessary, and dives into the hard work of policymaking to achieve tangible results.

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation is being led by phenomenal women. The women members of the CBC have been vocal about pertinent issues affecting Black women, from healthcare to voting rights. They have been on the frontlines protesting and risking their lives, all while making sure Black women have a seat at the table. As an integral part of the CBCF’s mission, they lead efforts that promote racial equality, create opportunities for future generations, and elevate the voices of Black women in the political sphere.

Speaker Adrienne A. Jones made history as the first African-American and first woman elected as Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates. Serving since 1997, she previously held the position of Speaker Pro Tem for 16 years and has focused on education policy, diversity, and fair treatment of state employees. Recognized for her leadership, she has received numerous accolades, including the Casper R. Taylor, Jr. Founder’s Award and induction into the Circle of Excellence, and has served in various roles within Baltimore County for over 37 years.

Fentrice DeNell Driskell is an American attorney and politician who is the Representative in the Florida House of Representatives from the 67th House district in Hillsborough County. She is Of Counsel at the law firm of Carlton Fields.

Pennsylvania Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton, elected in 2015, represents communities in west and southwest Philadelphia and parts of Delaware County. She has made history as the first woman and first African American to be elected House Democratic Caucus Chair in 2018, House Democratic Leader in 2020, and Speaker of the Pennsylvania House in 2023. A lifelong Philadelphia resident and Villanova law graduate, McClinton has served as an assistant public defender, chief counsel to state Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams, and has received numerous awards for her public service contributions.