Common Queries:
Q1: Who is Ashley Allison and what is her background?
Ashley Allison is a campaign strategist, former Obama-White House advisor, and media founder. She led national coalitions, led civil-rights campaigns, and now runs Watering Hole Media.
Q2: What is Watering Hole Media and what does it do?
Watering Hole Media is a social-impact media company that produces video-first content, expert partnerships, and live events to engage diverse civic audiences. (Watering Hole Media)
Q3: How can organizations implement corporate racial equity like Allison suggests?
Start with an audit, set measurable KPIs, tie incentives to outcomes, and publish quarterly scorecards. Use board governance for long-term accountability.
Q4: How did Ashley Allison build the Biden-Harris 2020 coalition?
She combined targeted staffing, demographic messaging, and local activations, tracking KPIs like turnout and contact rates. The model prioritized community partners and measurable lift.
Q5: What business models can sustain Black-owned digital media?
Memberships, events, branded content, philanthropic partnerships, and diversified sponsorships, balanced with editorial independence provide the most resilient revenue mix. (AfroTech)
Instant Answer
Ashley Allison led ~500 staff for the Biden-Harris coalition and now owns The Root, combining campaign playbooks and media strategy to boost Black-centered journalism and voter engagement.
Introduction
Ashley Allison is a political strategist, media founder, and civil-rights leader who builds coalitions, runs media companies, and advises national campaigns. She led nearly 500 staff as National Coalitions Director for Biden-Harris 2020 and now runs Watering Hole Media while appearing as a CNN commentator.
She recently acquired The Root, returning the outlet to Black ownership, a move aimed at investing in video, partnerships, and in-person community activations.
Unlock More Insights
Ashley‘s Complete Biography:
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Ashley Allison |
| Current Titles | CEO & Founding Partner, Turner Conoly GroupFounder & CEO, Watering Hole MediaPolitical Commentator, CNN |
| Other Roles | Former Obama–Biden Administration Senior AdvisorFormer National Coalitions Director, Biden Harris 2020 CampaignFormer Executive Vice President, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human RightsFormer Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics Fellow (Fall 2021) |
| Industry Sectors | Political Strategy, Media & Communications, Civil Rights Advocacy, Public Policy, Education |
| Known For | Leading the Biden–Harris 2020 National Coalition of 500+ staff, pioneering racial equity initiatives, building social-impact media brands, and amplifying civic engagement through storytelling |
| Years of Experience | 15+ years |
| Organizations Founded | Turner Conoly Group – Strategic consultancy focusing on DEI and leadership transformationWatering Hole Media – Social-impact media company specializing in video-first cultural storytelling |
| Media Roles | Political Commentator, CNN & MSNBCFormer Host, Pod for Cause podcast |
| Major Campaigns & Projects | And Still I Vote (Vogue & People-featured campaign)Census Counts 2020 (advocacy campaign removing citizenship question)Biden–Harris 2020 Coalition Mobilization |
| Government Service | Deputy Director & Senior Policy Advisor, Obama White House Office of Public Engagement (2014–2017)Led criminal justice and policing reform outreach |
| Civil Rights Leadership | Executive Vice President, The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights (2017–2021)Oversaw strategy, advocacy, and national campaign management |
| Education | Juris Doctor (JD), Brooklyn Law School – Specialization in Public Interest Law (Housing Rights, Democracy, Racial Equity)Master’s in Education, Focus on Special EducationBachelor’s Degree, The Ohio State University |
| Early Career | Special Education Teacher, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, NY |
| Boards & Affiliations | Chairwoman, Color of Change PAC BoardBoard Member, Free Press Action FundMember, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. |
| Media & Acquisitions | Recently acquired The Root, bringing it back under Black ownership and investing in digital media, video, and community activation initiatives |
| Speaking Topics | – Building Winning & Sustainable Teams- Corporate Racial Equity & Inclusion- A Seat at the Table: Building Lasting Coalitions- Leadership in Civic Engagement |
| Teaching & Mentorship | Teaches Yoga & Meditation for women of color; mentors emerging civic and corporate leaders |
| Signature Strengths | Coalition-building, Crisis Management, Strategic Communications, Diversity & Inclusion Policy, Movement Leadership, Media Entrepreneurship |
| Publications & Media Features | Featured in The Root, NPR, Vogue, People Magazine, VMH Magazine, CNN, MSNBC |
| Residence / Base | Washington, D.C. (Primary professional base) |
| Recognized For | Bridging politics, culture, and media to drive measurable social impact and racial equity reform |
| Website / Media Company | Watering Hole Media (insert link when live) |
| Fee Range (Speaking) | Inquire for details (Varies by event type and audience size) |
| Notable Quote | “We build movements that outlast campaigns because real power is sustained, not borrowed.” |
| Verified From | Harvard Institute of Politics, CNN, The Leadership Conference, The Root, NPR Interviews, Advertising Week NY, VMH Magazine |
Building a Voice for Change
Ashley Allison founded Watering Hole Media (media startup), uses video-first storytelling, and partners with experts to scale civic engagement.
This means she blends campaign playbooks with short content videos, live events, and partnerships to reach Black audiences and civic leaders. In practice, it’s about turning audiences into participants.
From the White House to the Front Lines of Politics
As National Coalitions Director, Ashley Allison led ~500 staff, used data-driven targeting, and coordinated field + digital operations for Biden-Harris 2020.
This three-part playbook staffing, message segmentation, and local activations, drove turnout lifts across demographics. Truth is, most people miss how staffing design scales impact.
Championing Civil Rights and Equity
Ashley Allison served as EVP at The Leadership Conference; she led campaigns like And Still I Vote and Census Counts to defend voting and census integrity.
In practice, these campaigns combined legal partners, grassroots groups, and media to block harmful policy changes and protect representation. That coalition model translates to many advocacy wins.
Roots, Education, and Early Purpose
A former Brooklyn special-education teacher, Ashley Allison holds a law degree focused on public interest and launched her public-service career from classrooms to campaigns.
Her education and classroom experience inform a people-first approach: policy must serve real communities. This shaped her later organizing style and legal advocacy.
Powering Media, Culture, and Influence
Ashley Allison is a CNN commentator and media CEO who uses TV, podcasts, and owned platforms to frame policy and culture conversations.
Think of it like a digital handshake: TV credibility opens doors; owned media builds direct relationships. Combining both widens reach and trust.
A Lasting Legacy of Leadership
Ashley Allison chairs civic boards (Color of Change PAC), mentors leaders, and programs experiences that grow next-gen Black leaders and organizers.
That legacy is tactical: board governance, mentorship pipelines, and community activations that convert visibility into power. Give it a shot; you might be surprised how fast networks scale.
Sources
- CNN: Covered The Root’s return to Black ownership under Ashley Allison’s leadership).
- Harvard Institute of Politics: Showcased her academic and civic contributions as a Fellow.
- The Grio: Highlighted Allison’s historic acquisition of The Root and her vision for media representation.
- League of Women Voters: Featured her among national leaders advancing democracy and equity.
- Brooklyn Law School: Recognized her as a distinguished alumna making change from the White House to grassroots activism.
Conclusion
Ashley Allison embodies the evolution of modern leadership, blending political precision, media innovation, and cultural empathy into one unified voice for progress. Truth is, her journey from classroom to the White House, from campaigns to boardrooms, showcases what happens when conviction meets competence.
Today, as she leads Turner Conoly Group and Watering Hole Media, Ashley continues to architect platforms that amplify unheard voices and challenge outdated systems. Her work redefines influence, not as a title, but as a commitment to impact. In a world still learning to balance power and purpose, Ashley Allison remains proof that strategic leadership and social consciousness can coexist, and thrive together.
Author Bio
Marisol Haines is a Senior Editorial Strategist, having an experience of 12 years in civic media and campaign content. Writes at the intersection of politics, media, and equity.
