I’m Rashawn. 

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been driven to solve hard problems. Often times, we don't have a choice but to. 

Most recently, I had the pleasure of serving as the Executive Director of The Andrew Goodman Foundation (AGF) where we worked with brilliant student leaders around the country to make young voices and votes a powerful force in our democracy. 

Before joining AGF, I led the Racial Justice Labs at Change.org, where I worked with an amazing group of colleagues and stakeholders to invest $6M into Black and Brown social entrepreneurs leading meaningful change. 

My work has spanned both the public and private sectors, from shaping transformative impact initiatives for technology companies like Change, advising and supporting organizational leaders, to serving a term as commissioner on Newark’s historic Police Review Board, a mayoral appointment.

Back in 2014, at 21, I became one of the youngest people in Newark’s history to qualify for the municipal election ballot. I ran an insurgent campaign for a City Council seat. It was a race I had no buisness in, but became of symbol of the what can happen when young people are engaged and when we intentionally bring more voices into the most important conversations. I lost that race, but the experience continues to ground so much of who I am and how I lead today. 

It’s been a fun ride so far, and I am grateful to have been able to share my story and (evolving) perspectives on leadership, public policy, and democracy at institutions like Brooklyn Public Library, The City University of New York, Ramapo College, and Pinterest.  

I also proudly serve on the Board of Directors for the W.E.B. Du Bois Scholars Institute at Princeton University, an incredible program that changed my life as a high school student; Full circle moment!

I earned my bachelor’s degree in Government from Georgetown University and hold a masters degree from NYU’s Wagner School.