A Day in the Life of a Black Woman Working

Keisha Deonarine is a prominent figure in the field of social justice work and community advocacy. She is currently leading as Director of Opportunity, Race, and Justice at the NAACP, where she oversees the organization's national inclusive economy strategy. Keisha's work centers around driving transformative change with a racial equity lens, specifically aimed at advancing the progress of Black and Brown economy.

Prior to joining the NAACP, Keisha served as an executive at Park Community Credit Union. Her leadership resulted in over $5 million in federal grants and $122.5 million in secondary capital for the Louisville, KY community. Keisha's philanthropic efforts gifted over $1.2 million in grant funds to non-profits and minority small businesses in marginalized communities across Kentucky. Obtaining a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) certification, she championed for capital in Black and marginalized communities at a national level.

Keisha's passion for community and advocacy extends beyond her work at the NAACP. She has a successful consulting practice focused on strategic planning, from the perspective of anti-racism and anti-white supremacy. Over the past five years, Keisha has served over fifteen successful clients locally and nationally.

Before her tenure at the credit union, Keisha held leadership positions in philanthropy and city government. She has a remarkable track record in philanthropy, having gifted over $500 thousand in grants and served as the inaugural executive director for Passport Health Plan's Foundation. Keisha also played a pivotal role in funding more than $200 million in project investments, which resulted in over 6,000 jobs for the city of Louisville.

Keisha's exemplary work has not gone unnoticed. She was named the ABFE Connecting Leaders Fellowship Program Class of 2020, Forty Under 40 by Business First in 2021, Leadership Louisville Bingham Fellows Class of 2021, Today's Women DE&I Leader in 2022, and Most Admired Women Equity Champion Nominee in 2022. Keisha's unwavering commitment to social justice and equity is truly inspiring, and her achievements are a testament to her dedication and hard work in making a difference in the world.

April Sims is the Secretary Treasurer for the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO.

Phaedra Jackson has worked in the progressive political space for the last 15 years.

Currently, she works as the Vice President of Unit Advocacy & Effectiveness at the NAACP, working to build Black political, social, and economic power to end racial injustice. At the NAACP, Ms. Jackson has managed campaigns to support and strengthen voting rights, and in 2022, she oversaw the largest electoral research agenda the Association has conducted in recent history. 

Prior to joining the NAACP, Phaedra was the Deputy Campaigns Director at Working America, AFL-CIO, championing the working class. Phaedra previously served as the National Field Director for Rock the Vote, lifting the voices of America's youth and organizing Black communities with Battleground Texas. Ms. Jackson has a dual degree in Political Science and Theater from Southwestern University. A proud and eternal Texan, she now resides in Maryland.