(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the appointment of Ashley Emerson to be Director of the Mayor’s Office of African American Affairs.

Ms. Emerson most recently served as an Associate Director in the Deputy Mayor’s Office of Greater Economic Opportunity (DMGEO). In that role, she has focused on engaging underdeveloped communities by expanding workforce development opportunities, helping small businesses build capacity, and providing cultural amenities to underserved neighborhoods. Ms. Emerson was instrumental in organizing Mayor Bowser’s first-ever African American Prosperity Fair in 2018 where over 80 Government agencies, non-profits, small businesses, and employers showcased opportunities and hosted workshops to over 2,000 residents. Prior to her DC Government service, she worked in banking, leading Corporate Social Responsibility by developing financial education programs for community institutions and provided access to capital for disadvantaged small businesses. A native Washingtonian and Ward 7 resident, Ms. Emerson holds a Bachelors of Arts in Communication from Michigan State University.