Faces of Advancement Project
November 19, 2018
November 19, 2018
This holiday season we wanted to give our supporters and allies an opportunity to get to know our staff members, their stories, and why they do the work they do. Read the profiles below and check back here in the future for updates. With your support, we can continue working towards a just democracy.
You may want to ask Ashley for luggage packing tips because she’s always on the go, offering her litigation experience to partners on the ground in the name of racial justice and dismantling oppressive systems of mass incarceration and policing. You may catch her in New Orleans, Milwaukee or her beloved hometown, Detroit, where she has been working on busting myths in Michigan related to disenfranchisement for people with criminal convictions. She knew she wanted to be part of Advancement Project’s national office team because of the opportunity to work around the country supporting grassroots organizations and directly impacted individuals as they combat inequality and fight for social justice in their communities.
Though he could have gone into radio with his baritone voice, Andrew Hairston opted to use his voice to amplify the disparities in our education system and uphold the fundamental right to vote – particularly for people of color. Originally from the South, Andrew continues to be connected to the region, having recently presented at Netroots Nation 2018 in New Orleans and working with Advancement Project national office partners in Georgia and Louisiana. This proud Howard University alumnus was named American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Scholarship for 2018-19! We can’t wait to see what’s next!
Formerly a journalist, Zerline decided that being an unbiased reporter didn’t allow her to advocate for the communities she connected with. Now, Zerline lives her work. The mother of two teenagers, she sees first-hand how the education and criminal justice system target Black young people. As Advancement Project national office Managing Director of Communications, Zerline feels like she can now effectively advocate for the racial justice issues that impact her, her children and the community at large. She leads our communications team in changing the narrative around youth criminalization, empowering people to take action, and amplifying messages to help get us toward a free and safe society for all.