Leedonal (Jazz) Moore (they/them)

Democrats Abroad Global Black Caucus Chair
DPCA Voting Rep. DACH
Texas voter
Unity through diverse & inclusive Leadership!

My name is Leedonal Moore and I also go by the name Jazzmin Dian Moore and although I’m from Mississippi, I'm a Texas State Voter.

I started early on in investing my time and passion in strengthening marginalized communities, especially the African-American and LGBTIQ+ Community.

For my engagements I’ve received various national and international awards such as the Miss Drag Queen Switzerland 2008 title, European TOLERANTIA Award 2016 and an honorary medal for my outstanding work & activism representing Americans living abroad 2016.

Democrats Abroad is the community where I feel at home, where I can be who I am and where I can help others register to vote and help execute publishing different deadlines for each state so that people can properly exercise their fundamental voting rights, while empowering the strengths that come with utilizing the strength which lies in intersectionality.

My grandmother once taught me: Always hear others out, the day you think you know everything, is the the day you have the most yet to learn.

How can I help?

Love & Light
Leedonal (Jazzmin Dian) Moore

James Batie Lockett Jr

Democrats Abroad Global Black Caucus Vice-Chair
DA Hong Kong Black Caucus Lead
Texas Voter

James joined Democrats Abroad on May 16, 2020, due to many issues/problems affecting minorities under Trump’s administration. Therefore, James became involved in DA and wanted to be part of the solution and not the problem, and was very active in the local chapter and GOTV in 2020. In July 2021, a bid in the local chapter Treasure was unsuccessful, losing by two votes, but continued to remain active in local activities.

As the newly appointed Vice-Chair for the GBC James shares the same vision as the Global Chair. In addition, James brings a lot of passion and vibrant energy to the role.   

James will help the Asia Pacific region to increase GBC membership and chapter formations.  Also, collaboration with other organizations (e.g., Black Lives Matter) that have the same goals as the GBC, to educate Americans abroad on voting rights, social and economic inequality, police reform, and human rights/anti-racism. 

Star (Starla) Goggins

Democrats Abroad Global Black Caucus Secretary
Michigan voter

I came to Canada in 1967 from the state of Michigan and moved to Toronto.  Around the 1990’s, I visited the DA Toronto Pride Booth, received information on Democrats Abroad and signed up immediately.

Being very committed to get out the vote (GOTV) activities and bringing diversity representation to DA, Toronto, and the National Chapter, I served on the Toronto Chapter Executive, chaired a National Election Committee (NEC), served on the Democrats Abroad Affirmative Action Committee, Managed a Voting Centre for the 2016 Presidential Primary, organized volunteer teams, and hosted events. 

Recently, I joined the Global Black Caucus Steering Committee and serve as Secretary.  One of my key goals is to work towards building DA Black Caucus representation in Canada and Globally. 

Our voice, and our votes count.

Adrianne George

Global Black Caucus DNC - Black Caucus Representative
DA Sweden Black Caucus Lead
DNC Member
Washington D.C. voter

I am super proud to be on my second term as a Democratic National Committee (DNC) Member for Democrats Abroad. I have the distinct honor of representing us as a member of the DNC Black Caucus.

I am equally proud to be a founding member of the Global Black Caucus. My position as a DNC Member allows me to share all the important work our Caucus is doing with other State parties, as well as secure DNC and Democratic Party surrogates as speakers and panelists for our events. I ensure we are included in the Black Caucus newsletter distributed to each Democratic Party State Chair, as well as collaborate on ways to reach overseas voters. I happily contribute event ideas and materials to our steering committee, lead the Black Caucus in Sweden, and support the Global Black Caucus Chair as necessary.

Antar Keith

Global Black Caucus Reparations
Reparations Task Force Chair
DPCA Voting Rep. Germany
Saxony Chapter Vice Chair

Born to a working-class family in the Bronx, NY, I gained firsthand knowledge of American political disenfranchisement. This consciousness was molded by my father, William “Bill” Keith—poet, teacher, Civil-Rights activist, ally of Malcolm X, and Black Arts Movement avant-garde artist. He was also a two-time victim of predatory policing and mass incarceration. His story inspires a keen understanding that those in closest proximity to pain should be closest to power.

As GBC Reparations lead, my passion is advocacy for local, state, and federal reparations legislation. Central to this advocacy is the fight for H.R. 40, which would enact a commission to provide the social, political, and economic analysis of trauma inflicted on Black America—and how to repair said damage. Not isolated to slavery or Jim Crow, these traumas cycle into modern legal, educational, medical, socioeconomic, and political discrimination.

Derek Bembry

Global Black Caucus Fundraising

Derek Bembry, a lifelong democrat, was born in 1957 in rural south Georgia to a single mother and largely raised by his grandmother. He remembers segregated schools and neighborhoods with dirt roads that became small rivers when the afternoon rains came. Life was simple and uncomplicated. He moved to rural South jersey at age 11 and life remained simple but there was a tremendous shift in his local surroundings which was filled with immigrants mainly from Italy, Puerto Rico and New York . Learning to assimilate and get along with others was a key survival instinct and Derek learned it well. The two distinctly different environments of GA and NJ were key ingredients in shaping the person he is today, a grandfather to five, father to four in a multi-cultural family that has Mexican, German, Ukrainian and Irish roots.

It's very hard to have a myopic view of the world at our dinner table, says Bembry with a smile. We all see the same thing with a different set of eyes and experiences. His "open-mindedness" has helped him to craft a 40 year career in several countries for some of the largest Fortune 500 companies in the world including, Raytheon, Exxon, HP, Dell, Amazon and currently Johnson Controls where he hopes to finish his career.

Life has been good to me!!!

Tameca Wilkerson

Global Black Caucus Fundraising Deputy

In my role as Volunteer to the Fundraising Committee, I hope to help devise and implement strategies of income-generating activities. In my efforts, I hope to celebrate the uniqueness of the Global Black Caucus by bringing together modern, cultural and exciting events with a purpose. 

Prior to this, I have worked with my local union in MD(USA) on their fundraising committee volunteering to provide events that targeted people from all walks of life. I brought my creative thinking and knowledge to this organization with great success. 

I am a Special Education Teacher currently working in the United Arab Emirates. This experience has surrounded me with many cultures and nationalities. I work amongst other educators from the United States, and I know they would love to attend any event that is planned for them. I am excited to be a part of this committee and I am looking forward to a great year of successful events.

Traci Möller

Global Black Caucus Press / Media Relations

Democrats Abroad Switzerland Secretary

I was born and raised in Connecticut, the nutmeg state, but I’m from New York (Harlem’s historic and beautiful Striver’s Row) and proudly vote blue.

My roots are in New York City where I worked for Vibe magazine before pivoting into a successful career in beauty and luxury PR for brands like CoverGirl, (Schick) Wilkinson-Sword and Rémy Martin.  My communications strategies and mandates often targeted Black Americans and the urban market. Representation matters. I moved to Switzerland in the wake of the 2009 recession for love and stayed for the opportunity to work and raise my son in a dynamic international environment.

Having been on the front lines of communications during the dot-com downturn and September 11; the Covid-19 pandemic, social justice, the fight for voting rights and January 6th feels eerily familiar.

Our country is at a crossroads and I am so proud to serve as the Global Black Caucus Press/ Media Relations Lead and deliver clear messaging that define the issues for Black Americans that impact our elections at home … from abroad.

And when I’m not copywriting or supporting Democrats Abroad Switzerland of which I am Executive Committee Secretary, I love sneakers and stilettos, eating great food even if I have to make it myself taking road trips in my electric car and fashion styling my very trendy 10-year old son.

The Global Black Caucus is on a mission, I hope you will join us!

Cedric Armand Sumo Tiempo

Global Black Caucus Press / Media Relations – Deputy
DACH Member At Large

I’m an American from Virginia who’s been living in Lausanne since 2014. I’ve been a proud member of Democrats Abroad Switzerland since 2016 and I’ve participated in many voter registration campaigns since then.

The reason I decided to become a member of the executive committee of DA is because my intention is to help register as many citizens to vote in their local, state and federal elections while living abroad. I plan on convincing them to vote democrat.

Moreover, having Thurgood Marshall, Martin Luther King Jr and Elijah Cummings as some of my personal and professional inspirations, it only feels right for me to join the global black caucus in a leadership role.

I’ll do my part to increase awareness, bring justice and improve understanding of our plights as people of African descent.

Christian Walker

Global Black Caucus Communication

My name is Christian Walker, and I was born and raised in Los Angeles County. I say Los Angeles County because my family is from Los Angeles, CA. I lived in San Pedro, CA; I went to school in Harbor City, Lomita, and Torrance, CA. Finally, I went to California State University Long Beach. In 2019, I moved to London with my partner, and in 2021 we moved to Gibraltar.

I’ve worked in the entertainment industry for several years, and now I am in the fintech sector. In November 2021, I will receive my MBA with an emphasis in Public Administration from Southern New Hampshire University.

While living in the States, I volunteered for the California Young Democrats Black Caucus, Black Los Angeles Young Democrats, and the Young Democrats of America LGBTQIA+ Caucus. I believe there is power in numbers. I think that collaboration will achieve all our goals.

Evelyn Riera

Global Black Caucus Engagement
Global Black Caucus Communication Deputy

I live in Germany and vote in GA. A third-culture kid with Cuban-American and German roots, I moved from Costa Rica to Germany in 1980 to learn German, my mother's native language, and complete my studies in political economy, and management/vocational education.

I don't remember exactly when I discovered Democrats Abroad. Sometime after 2008, I decided to focus on using Facebook as a tool to meet and educate overseas voters, and help them vote. Since then, I have been asked to join the admin teams of different groups and pages on Facebook, as well as to be a part of the DA Global Black Caucus Communications Team.

My deepest desire: To contribute to saving the planet, saving democracy, the best form of government available, and transforming the world in ways that will make it safer, more equitable, and kinder. 

Adrienne Johnson

Global Black Caucus Advisory Liaison
DPCA Voting Rep. DAUK , DAUK Black Caucus Chair 
DAUK - Social Media Team, DAUK - Film Committee

As a native of the Washington D.C. area, now living in London, I am a product of and value having grown up in a community of Black Americans who excelled in spite of societal attitudes and systemic hindrances.

I have always been aware that the well-being of Black Americans is inextricably tied to ensuring a prosperous and thriving future for my community and for all Americans. We are still faced with the question of how to fulfill America's promise. Democrats Abroad can help turn the tide. I am pleased to continue as a Global Black Caucus Steering Committee member in order to drive our work forward through dialogue, education, and political advocacy. Training and building a pipeline for emerging leaders remains a priority for me. Effective community organizing requires commitment, grit, truth, context, and vision.

My Dems Abroad journey started with GOTV canvassing. That led to volunteering for other DAUK committees and event-specific projects such as our annual Independence Day Picnic and Global Presidential Primaries, serving on our Executive Committee, forming and chairing our Black Caucus, and serving as a DPCA Voting Representative. There are so many ways to contribute. The voices and contributions of Black Americans who live overseas are needed now more than ever. I look forward to amplifying our voices and collaborating with all who are aligned with our goal to create an equitable and representative society.

Kenton Barnes

Global Black Caucus Networking
Democrats Abroad Germany Chair

Kenton E. Barnes, born in Toledo, Ohio  graduated from Rogers High School there, and subsequently the University of Cincinnati where he earned a degree in Communications. Kenton moved to E. Lansing, Michigan to work in Public Relations.

However, after a few years, he enrolled in Michigan State University to pursue BA degrees in Music and German. He went on to do an MA in Choral Conducting and went to Germany as an exchange student  to work on a 2nd MA in German. After finishing his degree, he was hired at the Friedrich-Schiller-University in Jena to teach English.  In 2010, he moved to Braunschweig to take a similar position at the Technische Universität, where he received his Ph.D.

In 2017, Kenton became a member of Democrats Abroad Germany. Since joining he has served the organization as precinct captain, national LGBTQ+ Caucus Coordinator, National Vice Chair, and National Chair.

Joy Notoma (she/her)

Global Black Caucus Engagement Deputy

Joy is a fiction writer and journalist, based in Toulouse, France. Her reporting, essays, and fiction have appeared in CNN, Al Jazeera, Quartz Africa, Longreads, Epiphany Zine, and Zora Mag, among other digital outlets. Before becoming a writer, Joy was an actor in New York City where she performed in theater and film. In addition to her work in the arts, she also has experience in office management, social media strategy, and literacy and theater education. For Democrats Abroad, she serves as the team lead of Books Abroad, the Global Women's Caucus Feminist Literature Group.

Laura L. Allen (she/her)

Secretary - Deputy

Laura is a New York State voter who currently lives and works in Toronto, Ontario. Laura was born and raised in Niagara Falls, NY, but her education journey has allowed her to find home in several locations across the United States, including Atlanta, GA, East Lansing, MI, and Columbus, OH. Wherever she finds herself, Laura is committed to service in Communities of Color and is particularly interested in the safety and wellbeing of Black communities.

Laura is a committed teacher at heart and by profession. She currently works as a professor and teaches university courses in professional writing, advocacy, and digital media. She is passionate about social justice issues and helping to amplify the voices of those historically marginalized by race, class, and gender. She joined the Democrats Abroad Global Black Caucus to pursue these passions and help encourage and empower Americans in Canada and abroad to vote and remain politically active and politically responsible to both our local and global communities. 

Michele O'Brien

Legal Counsel
New York voter

Originally from the Boston area, I was raised by a diverse family united by their shared pursuit of justice and truths — and in putting oneself on the line for these things. Demanding fairness, listening to and identifying what is true and then speaking it: these things are sometimes hard to do, but experience has shown that without justice for everyone, none of us will experience true peace. No justice, no peace.

I have lived in France for 19 years and am a longtime member of Democrats Abroad. I am a lawyer with experience in anti-corruption, litigation/international arbitration, human rights and non-profit governance. 

I strongly support the mission of the Global Black Caucus and am honored to serve the GBC in its work to advocate for laws, policies, and programs that improve the lives of Black Americans and educate all people on the humanity of Black people.