Washington, DC (May 20, 2021)—The Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) has named Dr. Manley Alan Begay, Jr., and John Kim to its Board of Directors. Professor Begay is a tenured professor at Northern Arizona University and Mr. Kim is the Executive Director of Advancement Project’s California Office.
“We are delighted to have two extraordinary people joining CSSP’s Board of Directors,” said Judith Meltzer, President of CSSP. “Professor Begay brings with him wisdom and experience with Tribal leadership, economic development, and Native American and Indigenous people’s history and culture that will strengthen CSSP’s focus on dismantling racism and achieving equity for all. Mr. Kim’s on-the-ground work on system transformation, power building, and coalition-building is strategically aligned with CSSP’s mission and will contribute to CSSP’s efforts to lift up the voices and power of youth, families, and community residents.”
Professor Manley Begay is a citizen of the Navajo Nation and is recognized nationally and internationally as one of the primary planners and designers of the now-accepted theory of how Indigenous nations and communities build nations that work—Indigenous Nation-Building. In the course of his academic and consulting career, Professor Begay has extensively researched, published, and lectured on the development of Indigenous communities and their resources. His research and consulting experience has focused on projects about and for Native nations in the promotion of strong and effective institutions of governance and leadership. Read Professor Begay’s full bio here.
John Kim is the Executive Director of Advancement Project California. He has a long track record as a coalition-builder and facilitator of multi-stakeholder collaborations. He has established a wide range of partnerships with community-based organizations, elected officials, governmental agencies, academic researchers, and foundations across the state. Recently, John’s leadership, as part of the RACE COUNTS initiative, and with partners, was pivotal to inform the rapid response to the needs of low-income and people of color impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in Los Angeles and across the state of California. Read Mr. Kim’s full bio here.
“The mission of the Center for the Study of Social Policy is to center equity and anti-racism so that all children, youth, and families can thrive,” said Dr. Carol Wilson Spigner, chair of CSSP’s Board of Directors. ‘”In order to achieve that mission, we must ensure that we are working with a diverse group of experts who bring with them a wide variety of skills. The additions today of Dr. Begay and Mr. Kim demonstrate our commitment to our mission and we are delighted to have two more distinct and impactful voices at the table as we continue our work.”
CSSP’s full Board of Directors:
- Carol Wilson Spigner, Board Chair, Associate Professor Emerita, the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice
- Thomas Bates, Partner, Insight Strategic Partners
- Anthony Bryk, President, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
- Joia Adele Crear-Perry, MD, FACOG, Founder and President, the National Birth Equity Collaborative
- Frank Farrow, President emeritus, the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP)
- Kate Kendell, President emeritus, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR)
- Judith Meltzer, President, the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP)
- Sandra Moore, Managing Director and Chief Impact Officer, Advantage Capital
- Sondra Samuels, President and CEO, the Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ)
- Larkin Tackett, Founder and CEO, MAYA Consulting
- Judge William A. Thorne, Jr., former judge on the State of Utah Court of Appeals and in the Third District Court
Learn more about our Board of Directors here.
About CSSP. The Center for the Study of Social Policy is a national, non-profit policy organization that connects community action, public system reform, and policy change to create a fair and just society. We work to achieve a racially, economically, and socially just society in which all children and families thrive by translating ideas into action, promoting public policies grounded in equity, supporting strong and inclusive communities, and advocating with and for all children and families marginalized by public policies and institutional practices. Learn more at www.CSSP.org.