A’shanti F. Gholar serves as the president of Emerge, the only organization dedicated to recruiting and training Democratic women to run for office. In this role, she leads the organization and steers its overall strategy and direction, overseeing a national staff as well as affiliates across the country.

A’shanti is a nationally recognized political strategist, who most recently served as Emerge’s political director and was responsible for strengthening national partnerships. She also worked closely with state affiliates to strategically recruit for key seats and directed the organization’s overall political strategy. For 15 years, A’shanti has been a grassroots organizer and activist for women, communities of color and progressive causes.

She has experience in building coalitions, program development and community and political engagement. Prior to coming to Emerge America, A’shanti served as the national deputy director of Community Engagement and director of African American Engagement for the Democratic National Committee. A’shanti has also served as the manager of national partnerships for United Way Worldwide, as a political appointee in the Obama Administration at the U.S. Department of Labor and as the director of public engagement for the 2012 Democratic National Convention Committee in Charlotte, N.C.

A’shanti was recently named as one of She the People’s 20 for 2020, a list of women of color in politics who will play an impactful role in the 2020 elections. She was featured as a political influencer in CQ Roll Call Magazine, named a top woman of color in policy by Walker’s Legacy and was the recipient of the “Changemaker” award by African American Women in Business Careers. In addition, A’shanti serves as an advisory board member for Global GAIN, an expert advisor for Forward Majority Action and as a Sisters on the Planet ambassador for OxFam America. She is also the founder of The Brown Girls Guide to Politics, which was named one of the top podcasts to prepare people for the 2020 election by Marie Claire.