Women & Politics: Deshundra Jefferson and Atima Omara

Deshundra Jefferson and Atima Omara take over Women & Politics today:

THE HONORABLE DESHUNDRA JEFFERSON

Deshundra Jefferson assumed office on January 1, 2024, making history as the first person of color to serve as Chair of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors. A single mom, Chair Jefferson lived in a one-bedroom apartment with her young son so that she could save up for her first home. She made that dream come true when she moved to Prince William County in 2015. Chair Jefferson often refers to Prince William as “a hidden gem,” thanks to its proximity to its nation’s capital, strong school system, and cultural diversity. She ran for office to address the rising cost of living, prioritize education in the county’s budget, and create more opportunities for affordable homeownership. Chair Jefferson began her career as a reporter, having worked or written for major news outlets such as CNN/Money (now CNN/Business), the Associated Press, and New York Magazine. She is now a strategic communications consultant with over 20 years of experience in public affairs and journalism. Chair Jefferson sits on the Finance Committee and Governance and Personnel Committee of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) and on the Board of Directors and Transportation Planning Board for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG). A graduate of Leadership Prince William, Chair Jefferson also serves on the board of the Virginia Poverty Law Center, a non-profit that breaks down systemic barriers that trap low-income Virginians in the cycle of poverty. She graduated cum laude with a BA in political science from Columbia University and a MA in communication from Johns Hopkins University.

ATIMA OMARA

Named to Ebony Magazine’s “Power 100” list of emerging leaders and Jet Magazine’s “40 Under 40” list, Atima Omara works and leads at the intersection of electoral politics and issue advocacy in the progressive movement. She is a political strategist, advocate, trainer, leader, and speaker with significant political, government, and non-profit experience, and she is a sought-after commentator and strategist. As the President & Chief Strategist of Omara Strategy Group, she provides strategic consulting to progressive candidates and organizations centering women and people of color in their mission and work. She strategizes with candidates and political organizations to win victories for a more reflective progressive democracy. An American-born child of Black immigrants, Atima realized early the importance of catalyzing social and electoral change from both the grassroots and leadership levels—especially among underrepresented communities. She has worked as Special Assistant to then-Virginia Governor Mark Warner, and then went to work as an organizer in multiple states with a union and community organizations on voter registration, ballot initiatives, and get-out-the-vote operations in low-income communities of color and immigrant communities.

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