Biography
DeJuana L. Thompson is a political and social strategist providing innovative and sustainable engagement methods and models for candidates, campaigns, and community organizations.
She is the current President and CEO of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, a 30 year old civil rights legacy organization. An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the BCRI is a cultural and educational research center that promotes a comprehensive understanding of the significance of civil rights developments in Birmingham.
DeJuana is also the founder of Woke Vote, an organization designed to engage, mobilize, and turnout African American voters in the South
through campus and faith-based outreach, strategic media outreach, culturally relevant GOTV efforts and training for new organizers. Notably the program has engaged over 2M Black voters nationwide and has trained over 5K new leaders.
Notably she was a political appointee to the Obama Administration serving as the National Senior Advisor for engagement on behalf of the US Small Business Administration. DeJuana served as the National African American Vote Director and the Deputy Director for Community Engagement for the National Democratic Party responsible for managing 16 constituency programs nationally.
Eighteen years plus of organizing for local, state, federal and international political and social justice campaigns; DeJuana’s depth of experience is well acknowledged and applauded. She is the recipient of several honors including being recognized by Elle, Glamour and BET a s one of the top Black female leaders in 2020, being named one of the AL Women Who Shape the State in 2019, one of the Top Young Professionals in the State of Alabama in 2015, recipient of the 2013 Outstanding Alumnus Award from Berea College, awarded a Key to the City of Birmingham in 2010, bestowed honor as a Kentucky Colonel in 2008 and receiving the Coretta Scott King Leadership Award for leadership in 2007.
Thompson is a Dial Fellow with the prestigious Emerson Collective. She’s appeared on MSNBC, CNN, in Essence Magazine, the New York Times and the Washington Post, among others, as a thought leader on race, politics, and social engagement strategy.