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MU
RIEL BOWSER
MAYOR
November 6, 2025
The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 504
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
In accordance with section 2 of the Confirmation Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979 (D.C. Law 2-
142; D.C. Official Code § 1- 523.01), and pursuant to section 2 of the Commission on African-
American Affairs Establishment Act of 2012, effective March 14, 2012 (D.C. Law 19 -106; D.C.
Official Code § 3-1441), I am pleased to nominate the following individual:
Ms. Jalelah Ahmed
14th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20011
(Ward 4)
for appointment as a public member of the Commission on African-American Affairs, filling a vacant
seat formerly held by Sondra Phillips-Gilbert, for a term to end July 8, 2028.
Enclosed, you will find biographical information detailing the experience of the above-m entioned
nominee, together with a proposed resolution to assist the Council during the confirmation process.
I would appreciate the Council’s earliest consideration of this nomination for confirmation. Please
do not hesitate to contact me, or Steven Walker, Director, Mayor’s Office of Talent and
Appointments, should the Council require additional information.
Sincerely,
Muriel B owser
Mayor
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A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
Sf~~
ChairmanPhil Mendelson
at the request of the Mayor
10 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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15 To confirm the appointment of Jalelah Ahmed to the Commission on African-American Affairs.
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17 RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
18 resolution may be cited as the "Commission on African-American Affairs Jalelah Ahmed
19 Confirmation Resolution of 2025".
20 Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the Jalelah Ahmed of:
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22 Jalelah Ahmed
23 14th Street, NW
24 Washington, DC 20011
25 (Ward 4)
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27 as a public member of the Commission on African-American Affairs, pursuant to section 2 of the
28 Commission on African-American Affairs Establishment Act of 2012, effective March 14, 2012
29 (D.C. Law 19-106; D.C. Official Code§ 3-1441), filling a vacant seat formerly held by Sondra
30 Phillips-Gilbert, for a term to end July 8, 2028.
31 Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia shall transmit a copy of this resolution,
32 upon its adoption, to the nominee and to the Office of the Mayor.
33 Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
Jalelah Sofia Ahmed
PRO
FES
SIONAL EXPERIENCE
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Washington, DC|September 2024-Present
Deputy Communications Director
• Authored press releases and managed high-level press requests, ensuring accurate and timely dissemination of information.
• Prepared Chairman Peters for interviews and coordinated the rollout of press materials, including coverage of the Secret
Service investigation into the Trump assassination attempt.
• Handled communications related to election security, PFAS issues, and committee hearings, including drafting letters to
agency heads and private industry on behalf of the chairman.
• Managed press relations for the committee, ensuring consistent messaging and effective communication strategies across
print, television and social media platforms.
Export Import Bank of the United States Washington, DC| December 2022-Present
Bid
en Harris Political Appointee, serving as Acting Senior Vice President of Communications and Speechwriter to the Chair and
President
• Administration political appointee, serving as the chief and senior communications’ advisor for the Export Import Bank of the
United States high yield communications office, responsible for managing and directing all aspects of the Bank's
communications portfolio. Chiefly accountable for envisioning and crafting all written materials for the President and Chair and
other high ranking senior officials to ensure consistent messaging in mediums that included both internal and externally facing
audiences. Manages all crisis situations and coordinated over 60 State Department international visits.
• Serves as the sole speechwriter for the President and Chair, as well as other senior level executives within the agency for high
profile events, most notably the United Nations General Assembly and World Economic Forum. Also manages local, national,
and international press relations, ensuring consistent messaging across all communications channels.
• Oversees social media strategy and content creation, fostering audience engagement and promoting the Bank's mission and
initiatives. Design, draft, and disseminate the Agency’s weekly newsletter.
• Collaborates with key policy stakeholders, including members of Congress, other government officials and staff, industry leaders,
and international organizations, to build partnerships and advocate for the Bank's role in supporting U.S. exports and job
creation around the world.
Un
ited States House of Representatives Washington, DC| September 2021 -December 2022
Communications Director and Digital Director to the Honorable Congresswoman She ila Jackson Lee, Donald Payne, Jr. a nd Lucille
Roybal-Allard
• Crafted and disseminated compelling floor speeches, public remarks, press releases, and social media messaging for multiple
Congress members, including high -profile figures like Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal -
Allard, and Congressman Donald Payne Jr., across electronic, print, and social media platforms.
• Spearheaded comprehensive communications strategies, securing high -profile media interviews, cultivating relationships with
local, state, and national media, and overseeing ongoing digital/paid media campaigns to promote key policies, especially
regarding healthcare and infrastructure priorities.
• Facilitated coordination between the White House and House leadership on critical policy priorities, collaborated with legislative
staff and key caucuses (DPCC, CPC, CBC) to develop unified messaging, and managed crisis communication and rapid response
strategies for consistent and effective messaging.
• Led media relations efforts, honored Congresswoman Roybal- Allard's final year representing California's 40th Congressional
District through strategic communications, and championed protectionist policies for migrants, refugees, and immigration and
naturalization services.
Of
fice of Councilman Mohamed E. Seifeldein Alexandria, VA| August 2020-August 2021
Legislative Aide
• Managed all of Councilman Seifeldein’s correspondence with constituents.
• Research and drafted approximately thirty emails and or letters, each day, and responded to an average of ten phone calls per
day, while simultaneously responding to scheduling requests from constituents, organizations, city officials, and other critical
stakeholders.
• Write and distribute Councilman Seifeldein’s monthly newsletter, highlighting his political accomplishments.
Ce
nter for Popular Democracy Washington, DC| November 2019-September 2020
Freelance Journalist, Photographer and Producer
• Shot, edited, and interviewed various constituents from districts across the United States, chronicling their grassroots advocacy
on Capitol Hill.
• Attended, shot, and edited grassroots activists’ rallies for affordable healthcare, former President Donald J. Trump’s
impeachment proceedings and an end to conservative presidential judicial appointments. • Edited footage into stories for CPJ
to use on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
F
OX TELEVISION STATIONS Houston, TX| May 2016-May 2017
General Assignment Reporter and Digital Media Strategist
• Pitched and investigated stories regarding climate change, educational inequality, severe weather, local, state, and federal
government, and immigration. Wrote, shot, and edited all my story material daily. • Managed all aspects of the storytelling
process from directing photographers during recording shoots to facilitating , researching, and writing all questions for
interviewees.
• Managed distribution of content on social media accounts, including Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, which enabled me to
share my stories with millions of viewers around the world.
AL
JAZEERA AMERICA New York, NY| July 2013-August 2014
Weather Anchor and Producer
• Appeared live on national and international news broadcasts, bi -hourly, especially during live breaking news weather events,
such as Hurricanes and Tornado outbreaks, producing reports and managing areas under severe risk of imminent weather
threats.
• Forecasted and collaborated with a creative team to produce graphics illustrating impacts of the Atlantic hurricane season for
breaking news coverage.
• Regularly pitched climate related stories to news teams, writing and producing segments, including interviews with experts from
the National Weather Service, National Hurricane Center, and NOAA to account for the impacts of severe impending weather.
E
DUCATION
Pennsylvania State University, Master of International Affairs May 2020
Pennsylvania State University May 2011
Dual Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Broadcast Journalism and International Relations
E
xecutive Office of the Mayor – Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments
John A. Wilson Building | 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 600 | Washington, DC 20004
Jal
elah Sofia Ahmed
M
s. Jalelah Sofia Ahmed is an accomplished communications
professional with a robust background in both government and private
sector roles. Currently serving as the Deputy Communications Director
for the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee,
Jalelah manages high-level press requests, prepares Chairman Peters for
interviews, and coordinates the rollout of press materials.
Previously, Ms. Ahmed was a Biden- Harris political appointee at the
Export-Import Bank of the United States, where she served as Acting
Senior Vice President of Communications and Speechwriter. Her
responsibilities included managing the Bank's communications portfolio,
crafting messaging for high-ranking officials, and coordinating
international visits.
Ms. Ahmed has also served as Communications Director and Digital Director for several members
of the U.S. House of Representatives, including Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee,
Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, and Congressman Donald Payne Jr. In these roles, she
developed strategic communication plans, secured media coverage, and managed crisis
communication strategies.
Her career in government began as a Legislative Aide for Councilman Mohamed E. Seifeldein’s
and includes experience as a Freelance Journalist, Photographer, and Producer for the Center for
Popular Democracy, as well as roles with FOX Television Stations and Al Jazeera America.
A Ward 4 resident, Ms. Ahmed earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Broadcast Journalism and
International Relations and a Master of International Affairs from Pennsylvania State University.
GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser
Office of the General Counsel to the Mayor
______________________________________________________________________________
The John A. Wilson Building • 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW • Suite 300 • Washington, D.C. 20004 • Office (202) 724-7681
To: Kimberly A. Bassett, Steven Walker
From: Betsy Cavendish
Date: June 4, 2025
Subject: Legal sufficiency review of a resolution appointing Philip Pannell, Jacqueline
Stallworth, Yolanda Young, Kristin Shymoniak, Rashida Taylor, Dr. Denise
Wright, Jalelah Ahmed, Lakeitha Anderson, Ben-James Brown, and Wanda
Henderson as public members of the Commission on African-American Affairs
This is to Certify that this office has reviewed the above-referenced Resolutions and
found them to be legally unobjectionable. If you have any questions in this regard, please do not
hesitate to call Kimberly Ulan, Associate General Counsel, Executive Office of the Mayor, at
202-727-2292, or me at 202-724-7681.
______________________________
Elizabeth Cavendish