Michael Blake
DNC Vice Chair Assemblyman, NY 79th District Speaking: Saturday Night, Davidson-Hyde Fundraising Dinner "I was born and raised in the South Bronx to parents who came to the United States from Jamaica in the 1970’s. My mother, Hilary, a breast cancer survivor, went from being homeless to working 40 years at a manufacturing plant in New Jersey while raising four boys. My father, Headly, was a hospital maintenance supervisor and proud member of 1999 SEIU. "I’m a graduate of New York City public schools and Northwestern University, where I earned a degree in Broadcast Journalism before embarking on a career in public service. I started as an intern in the Illinois State Senate before going on to manage winning state legislative races in Michigan, hold critical Senior Staff positions on President Obama’s 2008 and 2012 campaigns, and serve in the White House as the Deputy Associate Director for African-American state and local and elected officials and minority business outreach. "In 2014, I was privileged to be elected to the New York State Assembly from the South Bronx district I continue to call home. And last year, I was honored to be named a Fall Fellow at the Harvard University Institute of Politics. "Whether it's helping create jobs by getting Small and Minority/Women Owned Business Enterprises contracts with New York State, getting senior citizens heat in their homes, or training millennials in politics; I understand how to provide tangible change on the ground and would train and empower Democratic leaders around the country to BUILD OUR BENCH, STRENGTHEN OUR PARTY, and EMBRACE OUR FUTURE. "I have worked - and won - at the grassroots organizing level in several states, including Iowa in 2008, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan (winning all 7 down ballot races), Minnesota, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and South Carolina. "We have been told that we are the ones we've been waiting for, but the time is NOW. The moment is here. Join the movement: Leadership for Tomorrow. " Source: https://www.michaelblakefordnc.com/meet-michael |
Will Hailer
Advisor to DNC Chair Tom Perez, Aide to Keith Ellison Speaking: Friday, 5:00 pm (subject to change) "Will got his political start doing grassroots community organizing with the late Senator Paul Wellstone. From that beginning he has been active in the campaigns of hundreds of Democratic candidates in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota and Virginia. He is a veteran of recounts of Al Franken and Mark Dayton among others and has done caucus organizing work for the Dean, Edwards, and Clinton campaigns as well as several gubernatorial and congressional candidates." (1) "Will Hailer is joining the Democratic National Committee as the Senior Advisor to the Chair, where he will represent and advance the agenda of the Chair and officers internally and externally, build and liaison with stakeholders on behalf of the Chair including labor, progressive groups and organizations, Democrats Abroad and state parties. Will’s responsibilities also include coordination of strategic and grassroots initiatives that build, empower and support activists in every zip code by strengthening state parties, coordinated campaign tables and tools of activists and candidates running across the country to not only build electoral success in 2018, but strengthen the impact the Democratic Party has in everyday Americans lives. Will has been working on the DNC transition team and previously served as the National Political Director for Keith Ellison’s campaign for Chair. Will also served as the Executive Director for the Texas Democratic Party and understands the challenges that are confronting state parties across the country." (2) Sources: (1) Burnt Orange Report: New Texas Democratic Party Executive Director: Will Hailer (2) Democrats Abroad |
Ken Martin
Association of State Democratic Committees Chair Speaking: Saturday, 1:15 pm (subject to change) "Ken Martin is the Chairman of the Minnesota Democratic- Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party. Like many Democrats, the late Sen. Paul Wellstone inspired Ken to dedicate his life to organizing for social & economic justice, electing progressives, and building electoral power. To this day Ken believes strongly that we can change the world through electoral politics. Since taking office in 2011, Ken has rebuilt the DFL Party by restoring confidence among donors, elected officials, and party leaders and demonstrating the party’s ability to win elections and advance our progressive agenda. Ken has worked on many different campaigns over the years including three Presidential campaigns, Kerry ’04, Gore ’00, and Clinton ’92, as well as countless federal, state, and local efforts." Source: Wikipedia |