Aba Blankson is Chief Marketing and Communications Officer of the NAACP, where she plays a pivotal role in developing communication strategies, campaigns, and partner collaborations to elevate the NAACP's brand. With more than 25 years of experience, Aba consistently leads with courage and empathy, driving transformational change across the communications field.

Aba has pushed the NAACP's marketing and communications to new heights, driving a comprehensive brand evolution that positioned the Association as a leader in tackling modern-day challenges while honoring its storied 100+ year legacy. Under her empowered vision, she transformed the NAACP's approach to storytelling, launching high-impact campaigns that captured national attention. The impactful social advocacy campaigns Aba has launched exemplify her ability to harness digital platforms, amplifying the voices of grassroots activists and holding political leaders accountable in innovative ways. Aba also led the NAACP's presence at Cannes Lions 2024 – where she also served as a juror for the WARC awards – further elevating the organization's global visibility and showcasing its pioneering work in advocacy-driven marketing. ​​In addition, Aba serves as a judge for the North America 2025 WARC Awards which showcases the strategic thinking and brilliance of brands and businesses all across the globe.

Aba was the driving force behind the "COVID Unmasked" series, which highlighted racial disparities exacerbated by the pandemic, demonstrating her expertise in using communications to spotlight urgent social issues. Most recently, she spearheaded the NAACP's groundbreaking #KeepAdvancing campaign, which built on the momentum of 2020's Blackout Tuesday across social media. This campaign invited allies back into the conversation of social activism and demonstrated social media's impact on the modern civil rights movement.

Aba is a highly sought-after keynote speaker and main-stage panelist who has addressed the intersection of advocacy, social justice, and communications among other trending topics. Her insights and commentary have appeared in outlets like Forbes, FastCompany, AdAge, The Washington Post, and The New York Times. 

In 2024, Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR) recognized Aba as Woman of the Year, honoring her significant contributions to public relations. Aba was also named to The ColorComm28 list in 2021, which features 28 black women making history in communications, among other forms of recognition. 

Aba's creativity, management skills, and strategic leadership have driven organizational growth, particularly during her seven years at the NAACP. Before joining the NAACP, Aba held communications leadership positions in the public and private sectors underscoring her commitment to social justice and equity. 

Aba holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Hood College, a Master's in Computer Science from Towson University, and an MBA from the Cornell University SC Johnson College of Business. She received an Honorary Doctorate in Humanities from Hood College in 2022.  She has also served as Executive in Residence at the University of Texas at Austin's Moody College of Communication and is a member of the Arthur W. Page Society.

In her free time, Aba enjoys traveling, writing, and photography. She is passionate about amplifying diverse voices and mentoring emerging leaders, ensuring that underrepresented communities are at the forefront of advocacy efforts.