President

Phil Lewis

Phil Lewis is a deputy editor at HuffPost. In this role, Phil is responsible for covering breaking & trending news stories nationwide. During his time at HuffPost, Phil won a 2021 National Headliner Award for his reporting on Black voters in South Carolina. Before HuffPost, he was a staff writer and programming editor at the millennial-based digital news outlet Mic in New York City. He was also a 2017 participant in the prestigious Paul Miller Washington Reporting Fellowship program. He is also the author of the award-winning newsletter, What I’m Reading. Despite his busy schedule, Phil still finds time to mentor. He served as co-coordinator for the Urban Journalism Workshop, which teaches high school students the fundamentals of journalism. He is regularly invited to speak about his career at high schools and universities.

CONTACT: president@wabjdc.org

Vice President

Jai-Leen James

Jai-Leen James is an SEO Analyst at CNN. There, she collaborates with digital editorial teams on audience development and user experience. Jai-Leen joined WABJ as a member in 2021 shortly before she moved to Washington D.C. to join The Washington Post and has been a member of NABJ since 2018. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Journalism and New Media at Towson University and a graduate degree in Digital Marketing Communications at West Virginia University. Jai-Leen is a Libra from New Jersey and the proud daughter of even prouder Jamaican immigrants.

CONTACT: vicepresident@wabjdc.org

Treasurer

Mariah Barnette

Mariah Barnette serves as the Director of Communications and Development at Mamatoto Village and is an accomplished Freelance Publicist. With more than a decade of experience in the Communications field, she combines strategic thinking with her extensive media relations background to help organizations and business owners resonate with their audiences and gain visibility in prominent publications. As a passionate storyteller, Mariah is dedicated to amplifying the voices and experiences of Black women and people, recognizing their vital role in shaping narratives and influencing culture. Through her work, Mariah continues to advocate for social change while elevating the impact of the organizations she serves. Mariah’s credentials, matched with her expertise, make her the go-to resource for all things Public Relations, Media, and Motherhood.

CONTACT: treasurer@wabjdc.org

Digital Secretary

Ashley Clarke

Ashley Clarke is an engagement reporter at ProPublica. She started her career in television news in Washington at NBC4. Through investigative journalism, she hopes to hold the powerful to account and amplify the stories of communities often overlooked and underserved. Ashley is passionate about improving diversity in the field of investigative journalism and is eager to mentor emerging reporters.

CONTACT: digitalsecretary@wabjdc.org

Executive Secretary

Ashleigh Demi

Ashleigh Demi is a television contributor and an expert in every media outlet—newspaper, magazine, digital, radio and television.  She began her career at The Washington Post. Later, she produced local news at WTTG/FOX 5 television. Then, she helped launch “all news, all the time” radio station 99.1 WNEW against leading competitor 103.5 WTOP. Following news radio, she produced & broadcasted on hip hop & R&B’s 95.5 WPGC.  She became a frequent co-host on News One Now hosted by Roland Martin on TVOne.  Now, she contributes live on Good Day DC and DMV Live Zone on FOX 5 in Washington, D.C.  In 2024, Ashleigh received the “Top 40 Under 40” award by Cheyney University’s National Alumni Association.  With her passion to inspire, she established “Now Go Be Fabulous!”® lifestyle brand, an influential talent on social media.  A longtime member of NABJ and WABJ, Demi also serves on the National Cherry Blossom Festival committee and is an executive board member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated’s Alpha Beta Upsilon Omega Chapter in Washington, D.C.

CONTACT: secretary@wabjdc.org & Ash@AshleighDemi.com

Board Member-at-Large

Monica R. Richardson

Monica Richardson is Senior Vice President of USA TODAY. A seasoned professional with a proven 30-year long track record, she holds two Pulitzer Prize honors as well as the prestigious Benjamin Bradlee 2024 Editor of the Year award from the National Press Foundation and NABJ’s Distinguished 2023 Ida B. Wells Award. She most recently served as VP of Local News and Large Markets for McClatchy. She also served as the Executive Editor of the Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald, where she made history when she became the first Black editor. Before that, she spent 15 years at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as a senior newsroom leader. She is a former longtime NABJ Monitor mentor and currently serves as a mentor for NABJ’s Executive Leadership Program.

CONTACT: monica.richardson@wabjdc.org or mrrichardson@usatoday.com

Board Member-At-Large

Paul Brown

Paul Brown is the Executive Producer for C-SPAN Television Networks, overseeing programming and daily operations for C-SPAN, C-SPAN2, and C-SPAN3. With more than 30 years at the network, he has played a pivotal role in shaping its political coverage, leading efforts on historic events like House Speaker debates, impeachment hearings, and high-profile trials. Brown has spearheaded innovations in broadcasting, from expanding primetime call-in programs to integrating real-time smartphone footage. A dedicated mentor, he has helped nurture the next generation of journalists while driving C-SPAN’s evolution in political media. His past work includes launching Washington Journal, Book TV, and producing acclaimed historical series like American Presidents, which earned a Peabody Award. Before C-SPAN, his Emmy-winning documentary Shades of Change highlighted shifting racial dynamics in America. Brown also recently served on the executive committee of the Radio-Television Correspondents Association.

CONTACT: paul.brown@wabjdc.org or pbrown@c-span.org

Board Member-At-Large

Javier Lewis

Javier Lewis is a strategic communications and public affairs professional with over 5 years of experience driving high-impact campaigns and shaping narratives for major corporations, coalitions, and the U.S. military. He is a talented storyteller skilled in developing integrated communication strategies, crafting compelling messaging, and amplifying organizational reputation across earned, owned, and paid channels. Currently serving as a Director at FTI Strategic Communications, Javier oversees public affairs campaigns and communications initiatives for clients in the energy and natural resources sector.