Ashley Allison Biography
Ashley Allison is a prominent political strategist, advocate, and media executive with over 15 years of experience in campaign management and public service. She played a significant role in both the Obama and Biden presidential campaigns, notably serving as the National Coalitions Director for the Biden-Harris 2020 campaign. In this role, she led a large team focused on building coalitions to mobilize voters, particularly from underrepresented communities.
Allison’s career highlights her commitment to racial equity, civil rights, and public engagement. She was previously the Executive Vice President at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, where she managed strategies for policy efforts and campaigns. Additionally, she is known for her role as a political commentator on CNN, where she offers insights into U.S. politics, especially on issues affecting Black communities.
Recently, she launched Watering Hole Media, a platform that amplifies the voices of people of color in politics and culture through shows like Wait a Minute and Tap In, which focus on discussions around political and social issues from a Black perspective.
Ashley Allison Age
Ashley Allison was born on July 27, 1982, making her 41 years old as of 2024​.
Ashley Allison Ethnicity
Ashley Allison is of African American ethnicity.
Ashley Allison Parents
Ashley Allison was born to Dr. Bennie Allison and Fawne Allison. Her father, Dr. Bennie Allison, had a medical career and worked in various medical centers, including Northeastern Ohio Neighborhood Medical Center and East Side Medical Center. Sadly, he passed away on March 16, 2023. He was a respected figure in his field and also had a background in sports during his time at Ohio State University.
Ashley Allison Siblings
Ashley Allison has at least one sibling, a sister. Details about her sister’s personal life remain limited, but it is known that they both attended St. Dominic High School together.
Ashley Allison Educational Background
Ashley Allison has a solid educational background that laid the foundation for her successful career in politics and advocacy. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and political science from The Ohio State University in 2005. Following this, she pursued a Master’s in Education at Long Island University Brooklyn, which she completed in 2007. During this time, she worked as a special education teacher in Brooklyn, New York.
In 2011, Ashley completed her Juris Doctor degree from Brooklyn Law School, with a focus on public interest law. Her specialization included areas like housing rights, voting, democracy, and racial equity, which further solidified her commitment to civil rights and advocacy.
Ashley Allison Career
Ashley Allison has built an impressive career as a political strategist, advocate, and media executive, known for her work in both the Obama and Biden administrations. Her career spans over 15 years, with a focus on civil rights, racial equity, and public engagement, making her one of the most influential figures in modern political campaigns and advocacy.
Early Political Career and the Obama Campaigns
Ashley Allison’s career in politics began during President Barack Obama’s first campaign for office in 2007. Initially volunteering in Brooklyn, she soon moved to South Carolina to assist with primary efforts, which marked her shift from journalism and education into political organizing. Her performance during Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign in Ohio was notable. As the African-American vote director, she managed the state’s African-American outreach and helped increase Black voter turnout by 4%, a significant achievement in one of the most contested battleground states.
Role in the Obama Administration
From 2014 to 2017, Allison served as the Deputy Director and Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of Public Engagement at the White House under President Obama. In this capacity, she led efforts on criminal justice and policing reform, working closely with various communities, including African American, LGBTQ, faith-based, and entertainment sectors. Her work here was pivotal in managing the Obama administration’s response to critical social issues, showcasing her crisis management skills while also advocating for racial equity and criminal justice reforms​.
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Leadership at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
In 2017, Allison became the Executive Vice President at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. During her time there, she spearheaded several national campaigns, such as And Still I Vote and All Voting is Local, both of which aimed to protect voting rights and combat voter suppression. She was also instrumental in the Census Counts campaign, which played a crucial role in removing the citizenship question from the 2020 census, ensuring more inclusive data collection efforts.
Biden-Harris 2020 Campaign
Perhaps her most high-profile role came when she served as the National Coalitions Director for the Biden-Harris 2020 Presidential campaign. In this capacity, she oversaw nearly 500 staff members, coordinating efforts to mobilize one of the most diverse voter coalitions in modern political history. Despite the unprecedented challenges of running a campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic, Allison’s strategic oversight contributed to the campaign’s victory. She played a key role in reaching out to various demographics, including African Americans, women, and young voters, emphasizing unity across different voter segments​.
CEO of Turner Conoly Group and Media Ventures
After the 2020 election, Allison founded the Turner Conoly Group, a consulting firm focused on social impact, policy, and political strategy. Through her firm, she continues to advise organizations on navigating the intersection of policy and politics. Additionally, she has ventured into media with the launch of Watering Hole Media, a platform that creates content geared toward amplifying the voices of people of color in politics and culture.
CNN Political Commentator and Board Leadership
Outside of her direct political work, Allison serves as a political commentator for CNN, where she regularly discusses issues related to civil rights, racial equity, and political strategy. She also holds leadership roles on several boards, including the Color of Change PAC and the Free Press Action Fund, further highlighting her ongoing commitment to advocacy and public service​.
Ashley Allison Husband/Partner
Ashley Allison is currently single and has not publicly shared details about a partner.
Ashley Allison Net Worth
As of 2024, Ashley Allison’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million. She has accumulated this wealth through her extensive career in public service, campaign management, advocacy work, and media engagements.
Ashley Allison Social Media Handles
Ashley Allison maintains an active presence on several social media platforms. Her handles include:
- Instagram: @ashley_r_allison.
- Twitter: @ashleyrallison
FAQs
Who is Ashley Allison?
Ashley Allison is a political strategist, advocate, and media executive who has served in prominent roles within the Obama and Biden administrations. She has over 15 years of experience in building campaigns and advocating for racial equity and civil rights. She is also a CNN political commentator.
What roles did Ashley Allison hold during the Obama administration?
Allison served as the Deputy Director and Senior Policy Advisor in the White House Office of Public Engagement from 2014 to 2017. In this role, she focused on criminal justice and policing reform and worked with various communities, including African American, LGBTQ, faith-based, and disability groups.
What was her role in the Biden-Harris 2020 campaign?
Allison was the National Coalitions Director for the Biden-Harris 2020 Presidential campaign, leading a team of 500 staffers to mobilize one of the largest voter coalitions in U.S. history.
What is Ashley Allison’s involvement with civil rights organizations?
From 2017 to 2021, she served as the Executive Vice President at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, leading efforts like the And Still I Vote and Census Counts campaigns to combat voter suppression and promote civic engagement.
What media roles does Ashley Allison have?
Allison is a political commentator for CNN and the former host of the podcast Pod for Cause. She frequently discusses topics related to civil rights, racial equity, and political strategy on television.
What boards does she serve on?
She is the Board Chair of the Color of Change PAC and a member of the Free Press Action Fund, furthering her commitment to civil rights and racial equity.
What does Ashley Allison do outside of politics?
In her free time, Allison teaches yoga and meditation to women of color, combining her advocacy for mental health with her broader commitment to social Justice.
