Donna Brazile Speaker Biography
Veteran Democratic Political Strategist, Adjunct Professor, Author, and Syndicated Columnist
Veteran Democratic political strategist Donna Brazile is an adjunct professor, author, syndicated columnist, television political commentator, Vice Chair of Voter Registration and Participation at the Democratic National Committee, and former interim National Chair of the Democratic National Committee as well as the former chair of the DNC’s Voting Rights Institute. She is also founder and managing director of Brazile & Associates LLC, a general consulting, grassroots advocacy, and training firm based in Washington, DC.
Speaker
Aside from working for the full recovery of her beloved New Orleans, Ms. Brazile’s passion is encouraging young people to vote, to work within the system to strengthen it, and to run for public office. Since 2000, Ms. Brazile has lectured at over 125 colleges and universities across the country on such topics as “Inspiring Civility in American Politics,” Race Relations in the Age of Obama, Why Diversity Matters, Women in American Politics: Are We There Yet.
Politics
She first got involved at the age of nine when she worked to elect a City Council candidate who had promised to build a playground in her neighborhood; the candidate won, the swing set was installed, and a lifelong passion for political progress was ignited. Ms. Brazile worked on every presidential campaign from 1976 through 2000, when she became the first African-American to manage a presidential campaign.
Media
She is the author of the best-selling autobiography Cooking with Grease: Stirring the Pots in American Politics, Hacks: The Inside Story of the Break-ins and Breakdowns That Put Donald Trump in the White House, and, most recently, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Politics. Ms. Brazile is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, a syndicated newspaper columnist for Universal Uclick, a columnist for Ms. Magazine and O, the Oprah Magazine. She has been an on-air contributor to CNN, ABC, and now Fox News. Her secret passion is acting; she has recently made two cameo appearances on CBS’s The Good Wife. Ask her and she’ll tell you that acting, after all, is the key to success in politics.
Awards and Accolades
In August 2009, O, The Oprah Magazine chose Ms. Brazile as one of its 20 “remarkable visionaries” for the magazine’s first-ever O Power List. In addition, she was named among the 100 Most Powerful Women by Washingtonian magazine, Top 50 Women in America by Essence magazine, and received the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s highest award for political achievement.
Affiliations
She is currently on the board of the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, and the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies.
Hurricane Katrina Recovery
Last, but never least, she is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. In the aftermath of the two catastrophic hurricanes that made landfall in the Gulf region, Brazile was appointed by former Governor Kathleen Blanco to serve on the Louisiana Recovery Board to work for the rebuilding of the state and to advocate for the Gulf recovery on the national stage.
Education
Ms. Brazile is the proud recipient of honorary doctorate degrees from Louisiana State University, North Carolina A&T State University, and Xavier University of Louisiana, the only historically Black, Catholic institution of higher education in the United States.
Donna Brazile Speaking Topics
Political Outlook: A Comprehensive Picture of What's Going on in Washington
Always candid and insightful, Donna Brazile brings a refreshing perspective and practical sensibility to the current Administration and Congress. Her presentations provide a comprehensive picture of what’s going on in Washington—from analysis of the current political environment to hot-topic legislation. Named by Washingtonian as one of the “100 Most Powerful Women,” Brazile draws on her insider knowledge to provide audiences with a the latest development of an ever-shifting political landscape, the critical issues facing America and what their impact means for our future.
A Conversation with Donna Brazile and Mary Matalin
Together, two of the most celebrated women in politics, Mary Matalin, former Republican presidential advisor, and Donna Brazile, veteran Democratic political strategist, draw on over 50 years combined in politics and a 30-year close friendship to share with audiences an entertaining, candid and sharp analysis of Washington politics and the gut issues that surround the 2016 race for the White House.
Passion for Politics
Donna Brazile delivers anecdotal stories stemming from her experiences, such as working on every presidential campaign since 1984, heading the Gore-Lieberman campaign, serving as chief of staff and press secretary to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), serving as chair of the Democratic National Committee’s Voting Rights Institute, and being a Democratic political strategist. Brazile offers a comprehensive picture of the political environment, she gives an original perspective on the trends shaping and driving the mood of the country.
Diversity and Inclusion: Expanding the Circle of Opportunity and Why it Matters
Donna Brazile was the first African American woman to manage a presidential campaign and is known for her work promoting diversity. An expert on political and socio-economic issues, she sits on the board of the Professional Diversity Network and looks at why expanding the circle of opportunity for minorities helps everyone succeed and how diversity is the key to success both in the board room and in Washington, DC.
#MeToo in Politics: A Problem
Women in American Politics: Are We There Yet?
Donna Brazile Books
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Politics
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Hacks: The Inside Story of the Break-ins and Breakdowns That Put Donald Trump in the White House
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Cooking with Grease: Stirring the Pots in American Politics
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Donna Brazile Speaker Testimonials
"It was absolutely wonderful! She provided the perfect amount of humor and inspiration to reenergize the group after a busy morning...it was a huge success!"
- | Louisiana Center for Women and Government
“Donna Brazile is just awesome. She was wonderful. She rocked and rolled, sang and danced, put together more one liners with a straight face than I have every heard one person do.....told her story. She was really great. THE AUDIENCE LOVED HER.”
- | Possible Women Enterprises
You made a great impression and delivered a strong message several months ago, as our keynote speaker for Cleveland Clinic's 2014 MLK Day of Celebration. We continue to receive positive comments about your remarks that brought a personal, historical perspective to the work of Dr. King and its impact on you and your commitment to service."
- | Cleveland Clinic
"She was great! Great presentation, funny and personable, and she did a great job of keeping it non-partisan."
- | AEW Capital Management
