Alphonso David
Born
Alphonso David

1970 (age 53–54)
Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Maryland, College Park (BA)
Temple University (JD)
Occupation(s)Lawyer and Executive Officer
Known forPresident and CEO of the Global Black Economic Forum
Former president of Human Rights Campaign
Civil rights attorney
RelativesWilliam Tolbert (great-uncle)

Alphonso David (born 1970) is an American lawyer, LGBT civil rights activist,[1] former president of the Human Rights Campaign,[2] and current president and CEO of the Global Black Economic Forum.[3][4] In August 2019, he became the president of the Human Rights Campaign. He was the first civil rights lawyer and first person of color to serve as president of the organization,[5][6][7] but was fired from his role as president on September 6, 2021 after it was revealed that he advised former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo when he was accused of sexually assaulting women.[8] He made national headlines in 2022 for bringing litigation against the Human Rights Campaign alleging racial bias in his firing.[9][10][11] On March 15, 2023, the Human Rights Campaign said it had settled the lawsuit and stated that the terms of the settlement were confidential.[12]

On June 30, 2022, David was announced as the president and CEO of the Global Black Economic Forum, an organization working "to serve and advocate on behalf of the economic needs of the Black community."[13]

Early life

David, who is of Americo-Liberian heritage,[14] was born in Silver Spring, Maryland. His family moved back to Monrovia, Liberia, when he was one year old. In 1977, David's father was elected mayor of Monrovia while his great uncle, William Tolbert, was President of Liberia.[15] During the 1980 Liberian coup d'état, Tolbert was assassinated and David's father was incarcerated. His family lived under house arrest for 18 months and sought political asylum in the United States when he was 10 years old.[16]

Education

David graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park[17] in 1992 and Temple University Law School in 2000. While at Temple, David was a member of the university's national trial team and the Political and Civil Rights Law Review.[18]

Career

Early career

After graduation David worked as a judicial law clerk for the Clifford Scott Green, a Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania known for issuing a decision finding racial discrimination in the Philadelphia Police Department.

Next, David joined Blank Rome LLP, a national law firm based in Philadelphia, to work as a litigation associate. He also got heavily involved in pro bono work, such as helping victims of domestic violence.[19]

Civil rights litigation

David served as a staff attorney at the Lambda Legal Defense and Educational Fund from 2004–2007.[20] He worked on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender-centered cases around the country involving issues like HIV, employment and housing accommodations.[15] David worked on New York's first marriage equality case, Hernandez v. Robles. They won at the trial court but lost on appeal.[21] After three years with Lambda Legal, he joined Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's Office as Bureau Chief for Civil Rights where he managed and prosecuted cases statewide ranging from deceptive business practices to immigration fraud[22][23]

Counsel to New York Governor Cuomo

David served for four years in the Governor's cabinet as the Deputy Secretary and Counsel for Civil Rights, the first position of its kind in New York State. In this capacity, he was responsible for a full range of legal, policy, legislative and operational matters affecting civil rights and labor throughout the State.[24]

In 2015, David was appointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo to serve as Counsel to the Governor. In this role, he functioned as the Governor's chief counsel and principal legal advisor, and oversaw all significant legal and policy deliberations affecting New York State, including evaluating proposed legislation; implementing laws and policies and formulating the State's posture in both affirmative and defensive litigation.[24]

During this tenure in the Governor's Office, David worked on landmark legislation and policy including the Marriage Equality Act, which removed legal barriers permitting same-sex couples to marry, the Workers Compensation Reform Act, which modernized key components of the program to ensure greater accountability and functionality,  the Paid Family Leave Act, which ensures individuals leave to care for a sick family member, and the Minority and Women Business Program, which expanded contracting opportunities for MWBEs throughout the state.[25][26]

In New York Attorney General Letitia James's independent investigation of allegations of sexual harassment by Cuomo, released in August 2021, David's role in providing the personnel files of former Cuomo advisor Lindsey Boylan to the governor's office, which were then leaked to the press in an attempt to discredit her, is discussed. The report also states that David helped to draft a letter in defense of Cuomo and which questioned Boylan's motivations.[27] The letter was not published.[28][29]

President of the Human Rights Campaign

A blue background with yellow equality sign, the HRC logo
Human Rights Campaign logo

In August 2019, after 12 years with the New York state government, David became president of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). A report released in August 2021 following an independent investigation led by New York Attorney General Letitia "Tish" James described David's efforts to cover up sexual harassment claims against Governor Andrew Cuomo and undermine the credibility of accusers.[30] On September 6, 2021, David was fired as president of HRC.[31] In February 2022, David filed a lawsuit against the HRC, alleging discrimination.[32] On March 15, 2023, HRC and David issued a joint statement that both parties had "chosen to amicably resolve" the lawsuit and that the terms of the settlement were confidential.[33]

President and CEO of the Global Black Economic Forum

David was announced as the president and CEO of the Global Black Economic Forum (GBEF) on June 30, 2022.[13] During his tenure with the organization, he has overseen the creation of the GBEF Summit, an invite-only convening for business leaders. The summit was held in New Orleans, Louisiana in 2023, and featured Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first woman president of any African country, and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris.[34] He also led GBEF to form an umbrella group called the Council for Economic Opportunity & Social Justice alongside 12 other advocacy organizations including the NAACP and National Action Network. The council, which was announced in September 2023, is aimed at providing legal support for diversity equity and inclusion efforts, responding to legislative attempts to curtail diversity initiatives, and encouraging pro-diversity civic activities.[35][36]

As the head of GBEF, David has authored multiple analyses on affirmative action, including one commentary published by U.S. News & World Report in June, 2023[37] and another by Fortune in July, 2023.[38] He also spoke at the National Mall during the August 2023 commemoration of the 60th anniversary of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s March on Washington, where media coverage quoted him as saying, “Have we reached the mountaintop? Not by a long shot.”[39]

David also made headlines in 2023 as the legal counsel to the Fearless Fund, a venture capital fund dedicated to supporting Black women-owned businesses, which faced a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination.[40][41]

Personal life

David has worked as an adjunct professor of law.[20] He is openly gay.[42][20]

Awards and honors

In May 2017, David received the Public Servant of the Year Award from the Metropolitan Black Bar Association for his advocacy.[43][44] In February 2018, the Asian American Bar Association bestowed its public service award on David. In September 2019, David received a public appreciation recognition from the Chief Judge of New York State, on behalf of the Indigent Legal Services Board, for his "extraordinary contributions to improving the quality of mandated representation in New York State.[45] In June 2020, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the first LGBTQ Pride parade, Queerty named him among the fifty heroes "leading the nation toward equality, acceptance, and dignity for all people".[46][47] In February 2023, David was named one of 50 Notable Black Leaders by Crain's New York Business in part for his work "reimagining equity and inclusion in corporate America."[48]

References

  1. ↑ State, City & (June 30, 2019). "The 2019 Pride Power 100". City & State NY. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Human Rights Campaign taps Alphonso David as next president". Washington Blade: Gay News, Politics, LGBT Rights. June 25, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Leadership". www.gbef.com. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Alphonso David, Reflects On The Brittney Griner Trial". Essence. August 29, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Meet Alphonso David, Incoming President of the Human Rights Campaign". You Tube. Human Rights Campaign. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  6. ↑ "Human Rights Campaign Picks Alphonso David as New President". Time. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  7. ↑ "HRC Names First Civil Rights Lawyer, First POC President". www.advocate.com. June 25, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  8. ↑ Haberman, Maggie (September 6, 2021). "Alphonso David, Who Advised Cuomo, Fired as Human Rights Campaign President". The New York Times. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  9. ↑ Franklin, Jonathan (February 3, 2022). "First Black leader of Human Rights Campaign sues, says he was fired because of race". NPR. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Human Rights Campaign's first Black leader sues over firing, alleging racial bias". NBC News. February 4, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Ex-head of U.S. Human Rights Campaign sues group, alleging racial discrimination". Reuters. February 7, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Human Rights Campaign settles racial bias lawsuit with former leader". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  13. 1 2 "THE GLOBAL BLACK ECONOMIC FORUM APPOINTS ALPHONSO DAVID AS PRESIDENT & CEO". finance.yahoo.com. June 30, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  14. ↑ Stewart, Gboko (September 12, 2021). "LGBTQ+ Liberian Fired From High Profile US Job". New Narratives. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  15. 1 2 "Politics is in Alphonso David's blood whether he likes it or not". amsterdamnews.com. January 31, 2014. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  16. ↑ "The third-most-powerful person in Cuomo's office". Crain's New York Business. May 24, 2015. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  17. ↑ Crary, David (June 25, 2019). "University of Maryland alumnus Alphonso David to head Human Rights Campaign, a major LGBTQ-rights group". baltimoresun.com.
  18. ↑ "Alphonso David". Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  19. ↑ robert.harding@lee.net, Robert Harding (June 26, 2019). "Alphonso David, counsel to Cuomo, leaving to lead Human Rights Campaign". Auburn Citizen.
  20. 1 2 3 "Alphonso David". HRC. Archived from the original on September 5, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  21. ↑ "Alphonso David | Out Leadership". July 16, 2018.
  22. ↑ "Immigration Consultants Under Investigation for Cheating Haitians | WNYC | New York Public Radio, Podcasts, Live Streaming Radio, News". WNYC. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  23. ↑ "Petitioners against Arbitron Inc" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on November 22, 2014. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  24. 1 2 "Alphonso David". cardozo.yu.edu. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
  25. ↑ "What Happened Next in New York". www.advocate.com. October 17, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  26. ↑ "Alphonso David | Out Leadership". July 16, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  27. ↑ Yurcaba, Jo (August 9, 2021). "Prominent LGBTQ leaders face increased scrutiny after Cuomo report". NBC News. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  28. ↑ "How Cuomo's office sought help from prominent liberal advocates as it pushed to discredit an accuser". Washington Post. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  29. ↑ Dreisbach, Tom (August 6, 2021). "Cuomo Scandal Entangles Leader Of Influential LGBTQ Advocacy Group". NPR. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  30. ↑ "How Cuomo's office sought help from prominent liberal advocates as it pushed to discredit an accuser". Washington Post. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  31. ↑ Haberman, Maggie (September 6, 2021). "Alphonso David, Who Advised Cuomo, Fired as Human Rights Campaign President". The New York Times. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  32. ↑ Michael Scherer (February 3, 2022). "Human Rights Campaign hit with racial bias suit by former president fired in Andrew M. Cuomo scandal". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C. ISSN 0190-8286. OCLC 1330888409.
  33. ↑ "Joint Statement of HRC and Alphonso David". Human Rights Campaign. March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  34. ↑ "EFOC: Women Leaders Take Center Stage At The Global Black Economic Forum Summit At ESSENCE Fest". Essence. July 4, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  35. ↑ "The NAACP and other civil rights groups are defending workplace diversity initiatives". Quartz. September 14, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  36. ↑ "13 civil rights groups just formed a coalition to defend workplaces against the 'anti-woke' movement". Fortune. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  37. ↑ David, Alphonso (June 30, 2023). "Affirmative Action Combats Systemic Discrimination and Creates Equal Opportunity for People of Color". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  38. ↑ "The war on DEI is the beginning of a coordinated attack on the Civil Rights Act of 1964". Fortune. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  39. ↑ "Thousands Mark 60th Anniversary Of March On Washington On National Mall". HuffPost. August 26, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  40. ↑ Raymond, Nate (August 11, 2023). "Black women-owned US venture capital fund counters conservative's race lawsuit". Reuters. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  41. ↑ Davis, Dominic-Madori (October 2, 2023). "Fearless Fund barred from awarding grant to Black women founders". TechCrunch. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  42. ↑ Brown, Jennifer (August 4, 2017). "Alphonso David: From Immigrant to The Third Most Powerful Man in New York State". Jennifer Brown Speaks. Archived from the original on February 5, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  43. ↑ "Alphonso B. David | Metropolitan Black Bar Association". Archived from the original on February 1, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  44. ↑ "Metropolitan Black Bar Association honors Judge Kuntz during awards gala". Brooklyn Eagle. May 25, 2017. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  45. ↑ https://ils.ny.gov/files/ILS%20Board/Alphonso%20David%20%20Public%20Appreciation%20092019.pdf Archived November 14, 2019, at the Wayback Machine
  46. ↑ "Queerty Pride50 2020 Honorees". Queerty. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  47. ↑ "9 queer political figures creating a more perfect union this election year". Queerty. July 2, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  48. ↑ "Notable Black Leaders and Executives - Alphonso David". Crain's New York Business. February 6, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
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