Bill > PR26-0398

Introduced Session

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. Yolanda Young 54th Street, SE Washington, DC 20019 (Ward 7) for reappointment as a public member of the Commission on African-American Affairs, for a term to end July 8, 2027. Enclosed, you will find biographical information detailing the experience of the above-mentioned 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 Bowser Mayor YOLANDA YOUNG EDUCATION GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY LAW CENTER, Washington, D.C. Juris Doctor, 1995 HOWARD UNIVERSITY, Washington, D.C. Bachelor of Business Administration - Accounting, 1991 BIO Yolanda Young is the president and executive director of Lawyers of Color, a nonprofit devoted to promoting diversity in the legal profession and advancing democracy and equality in marginalized communities. The organization is an outgrowth of On Being a Black Lawyer, which Yolanda founded in 2008. In addition to producing events, conferences, and publications including Power Issue, Caucus Issue, Hot List, and Legal Diversity Issue, Yolanda collaborates with media organizations to publish reports and studies, such as Why Black Lawyers Matter, which appeared in The Guardian. Yolanda has appeared on news shows on CNN, NPR, BET TV One, and many local affiliates and since 2003, she has been an opinion contributor to USA TODAY. She’s shared her perspective on everything from “Hip-hop putting its best foot forward” to “Blacks’ economic crack-up.” Her most recent column was “Kavanaugh confirmation exemplifies American justice system divided by wealth, class” on October 7, 2008. Yolanda’s work has also appeared in The Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, and Essence Magazine. In 2003 Random House published Yolanda’s memoir, On Our Way To Beautiful, which received widespread critical praise. The Washington, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities honored her with the Emerging Artist Award. The author has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show, NPR and Black Entertainment Television (BET). She has testified before the United States Congress regarding domestic violence and Head Start and addressed audiences at Harvard Law School, Vassar College, and Dillard University. She was the keynote speaker for the 2011 National Black Pre-Law Conference. LEGAL AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE President & Executive Director, LAWYERS OF COLOR Washington, D.C., November 2008 - Present Develops and oversees strategies to promote diversity in the legal profession and advancing democracy and equality in marginalized communities. Conducts and commissions research and studies regarding the intersection of the legal profession and social justice. Oversees and manages the creation and curation of articles, blogs, studies, and videos. Engages organization’s global online community advocates and mobilizes change agents to respond quickly and forcefully to oppressive and damaging policies and systems. Motivate business, political, and community leaders to effect change and advance equality. Staff Attorney, COVINGTON & BURLING LLP Washington, D.C., February 2005 - August 2007 Prepared legal pleadings and motions. Provided issue analysis. Reviewed documents for content and privilege in large-scale litigation cases and government investigations. Drafted and reviewed documents in preparation for litigation. Contract Attorney, VARIOUS LAW FIRMS Washington, D.C., February August 1998 - January 2005 Provided clients with legal advice in civil or criminal trials. Managed litigation cases and

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Phil Mendelson (D)*, 

Withdrawn (on 12/22/2025)

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