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Steeped in a history of activism and black empowerment, Elizabeth Wilkins carried her familiy's torch to communities of color during the 2008 campaign. Now, she's making sure Barack Obama's policy agenda affects the lives of those she met on the trail.
The Root's Talented Ten: Elizabeth Wilkins -
Marlon Marshall captained one of the most bitter confrontations in the Democratic primary—the Nevada caucuses. But when his candidate, Hillary Clinton, conceded defeat, he went straight to work for the Obama campaign. Now, he's taken on the best of both worlds, working as a go-between for Obama's White House and Clinton's State Department.
Ten Young Black Obama Aides to Watch in Washington Politics -
Samantha Tubman visited 48 states in the Union and criss-crossed Europe and the Middle East as a wrangler on Barack Obama's campaign plane. Now, she's putting her "ready for anything" attitude to work, joining White House Social Secretary Desirée Rogers in making 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue "the people's house."
The Root's Talented Ten: Samantha Tubman, Assistant Social Secretary -
When it comes to politics, Alex Lofton has the mind of a soldier: The Obama campaign "deployed" the Seattle native—who started as an intern in Chicago headquarters—around the country, to get out the vote. In Washington, he's joined the Democratic Party's effort to build on the successes of organizers like himself.
The Root's Talented Ten: Young Black Obama Aides to Watch in Washington: Alexander Lofton -
Ten to watch in Mr. Obama’s Washington.
Ten Young Black Obama Aides to Watch in Washington Politics -
During the 2008 campaign, Jason Green followed in Barack Obama's footsteps—orchestrating a massive, in-house voter registration drive, not unlike the one the president ran in Chicago after leaving law school. His work may well have won Obama the previously red state of North Carolina. Green, also an Ivy League law grad, is working in the White House as one of Obama's deputy legal advisers.
The Root's Talented Ten: Jason Green -
Addisu Demissie has logged thousands of hours working for the Democratic Party--first for Senator Hillary Clinton and then Barack Obama during the 2008 campaign. Now, this self-described "political junkie" is taking the lead in translating Obama's massive grassroots organization into a force for progressive change.
Ten Young Black Obama Aides to Watch in Washington -
Though he was often the youngest person in the room, Yohannes Abraham rose through the ranks of the Obama campaign hierarchy to become Field Director of his native Virginia—a key tipping point state in the general election. After Obama's big win in the Old Dominion, Abraham is back in the beltway, working to make the president's legislative dreams a reality.
The Root's Talented Ten: Yohannes Abraham -
Michael Blake never imagined himself working in the White House. But "Yes We Can"—then-Senator Barack Obama's training program for young people of color—saw his potential early. Now, the Bronx-born organizer is using his political education to connect the West Wing with state and local governments across the country.
The Root's Talented Ten Obama Staffers: Michael Blake -
It’s amazing to think that, in the closing weeks of this election, the once solidly Republican state of Virginia has moved squarely into Barack Obama’s column. His secret weapon? African immigrants, turning out the vote like never before.
African immigrants get out the vote for Obama in Virginia
