CNN Political Commentator; Former Communications Director for VP Kamala Harris
Jamal Simmons: Biography at a Glance
- Jamal Simmons is one of the most experienced political operatives of his generation, most recently serving as Deputy Assistant to the President and Communications Director for Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House.
- Jamal serves as co-host of Trailblaze, a podcast where he brings his sharp insights and humor to dive into thought-provoking discussions on the complexities of policy, politics, and America’s role on the global stage.
- He can also currently be seen as an on-air political commentator for CNN.
- Jamal has been at the nexus of politics and media for nearly three decades - focused on increasing U.S. economic competitiveness through innovation and diversity.
- His article, “The 4 Percent Problem,” was heralded as the first to identify the surprisingly and consistently low rate of Black people in leadership across academic, corporate, and military sectors.
- Jamal has held positions on the CulturalDC arts board, PepsiCo African American Advisory Committee, Rosa Parks Scholarship Foundation Board, Council on Foreign Relations, and French American Foundation.
- Highly sought-after for his insights on race and diversity, Jamal has appeared on MSNBC, PBS Newshour, and ABC’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos.
Videos
Biography
Jamal Simmons has been at the nexus of politics and media for nearly three decades -- focused on increasing U.S. economic competitiveness through innovation and diversity. Most recently, he was Deputy Assistant to the President and Communications Director for Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House. He can currently be seen as an on-air political commentator for CNN and as co-host of Trailblaze, a podcast where he brings his sharp insights and humor to dive into thought-provoking discussions on the complexities of policy, politics, and America’s role on the global stage.
Before joining the White House, Jamal was a political contributor for CBS News and “Here & Now” on NPR. His article, “The 4 Percent Problem” in Democracy, A Journal of Ideas, was heralded as the first to identify the surprisingly consistent low rate of Blacks in leadership across academic, corporate, and military sectors.
Prior to CBS, Jamal produced and hosted Hill TV digital interviews with political leaders, celebrities, and activists. He joined Hill TV from the Raben Group, where he advised corporate and foundation leaders for nearly a decade. He also co-chaired the Internet Innovation Alliance and founded CRVIII (CRATE) a digital media start-up.
Jamal is one of the most experienced political operatives of his generation. In 2008, he was the lead Obama campaign surrogate on CNN during the epic presidential primary battle between Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton and worked for the Obama/Biden ticket at the Democratic National Committee. In 2004, he was traveling press secretary to two presidential primary candidates and in 2002 campaign communications director for a U.S. senator. Before the age of 30, Jamal managed media staff in 40 states for Gore/Lieberman 2000; served as a Gore spokesman in West Palm Beach during the Florida recount; and was chief of staff to a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee.
Jamal got his start on Bill Clinton’s traveling campaign staff in 1992 and set up events around the world for the Clinton White House. He was also an assistant to U.S. Trade Representative and Commerce Secretary Mickey Kantor. In those roles, he represented the U.S. government in 15 countries including Ukraine and China.
Highly sought-after for his insights, Jamal has appeared on MSNBC, PBS Newshour, and ABC’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos. His credits as a speaker or moderator include the Milken Institute, Executive Leadership Council, SHRM, the U.S. National War College, and Morehouse College’s commencement.
Jamal is a former member of the CulturalDC arts board, PepsiCo African American Advisory Committee, Rosa Parks Scholarship Foundation Board, Council on Foreign Relations, and French American Foundation. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Morehouse College and a Master in Public Policy (MPP) degree from Harvard University’s Kennedy School.
Jamal lives in the New York City area with his wife and their children.
Topics
The 4 Percent Problem: Exploring the Lack of Diversity in Leadership
In nearly every sector, Black inclusion in leadership stalls at around 4 percent. This phenomenon, described as The 4 Percent Problem, is likely no coincidence says journalist Jamal Simmons.
Based on the findings of his research, Simmons discusses the consistently low threshold that White participants set to determine when sufficient diversity has been achieved. He also explains the thin line that currently appears to exist between creating a diverse environment and sparking white flight.
Audiences will walk away with a clear guide for addressing diversity in the workplace, including how to:
- Rethink the “Pipeline Problem”
- Integrate diverse leaders
- Invest in HBCUs and their talent pools
The America We Deserve -- Strong Enough for All of Us
Jamal Simmons believes America’s future is bright. It can take criticism, learn from its setbacks, get up on its feet, face forward, and forge a new path. In America, we can do big things and still do good things. We can create products the world has never seen and care for people the world too often leaves behind. We can compete with any nation and tap the creativity and innovative spirit of every community.
In this conversation, Jamal addresses the big questions and shows us we don’t have to hide from our past or fear for our future. Based on his experiences in politics and business, Jamal highlights examples of American prowess and how leaders who tap into that are what the country needs. He leaves audiences feeling optimistic and with a clear outline of the type of leadership needed in government and every other sector to build an America that is strong enough for all of us.
How Authentic Leaders Persuade Key Audiences
As a young man, Jamal Simmons was heavily influenced by former Commerce Secretary Ron Brown, who died in a tragic plane crash in Croatia. Jamal once heard Secretary Brown say that people should make friends first and do business later because it was a lot easier to work with people you knew and liked than with strangers.
Working alongside some of the top leaders in the world – from military commanders to politicians to business executives – Jamal has learned a number of leadership lessons that he employs to this day. Whether guiding leaders through communications crises, securing investors for his company, or reorganizing a team of White House staffers to make a cultural shift, Jamal focuses on 5 key things he has learned can convince targeted audiences:
- Listen to Strangers – Meeting new people often means hearing new ideas and considering different choices. Get out of your bubble to challenge your thinking.
- Kill the Spider –It’s hard to focus on anything else with a spider crawling on the table. Address what’s on your audience’s minds before trying to get buy-in on your agenda.
- Drown a Kitten – Or maybe it’s “kill a darling”. Either way, make the tough choices and focus relentlessly on the important priorities.
- Don’t Blow Smoke - Be transparent about the process and tell hard truths -- especially when it’s your own bad news.
- Choose Sunrise - Nobody likes a negative Nelly. What’s your vision for a new day?
Moderated Conversation led by Jamal Simmons
Jamal brings a broad understanding of politics, business, and international affairs to lead complex and thought-provoking conversations. Jamal poses evocative questions that keep the audience's interests at the forefront of every discussion.
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FAQs
How do I book Jamal Simmons for my event?
Contact CAA Speakers at (424) 288-2898 or speakers@caa.com to book Jamal Simmons to speak at corporate or private events, keynote speeches, speaking engagements, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances.
Quick booking process- Email CAA Speakers with event details
- Get availability confirmation within 24 hours
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As one of the most influential talent agencies in the world, CAA handles all speaking engagements from contract to event day coordination.
Who is Jamal Simmons's booking agent?
CAA Speakers is the preferred booking agency to contact for Jamal Simmons’s speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com for all Jamal Simmons in-person appearances and keynote speaking requests.
Contact Jamal Simmons's agent- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: caa.com/caaspeakers
- Response: Within 24 hours
CAA Speakers can check Jamal Simmons's speaking calendar with direct access to availability and official pricing. While many websites may list Jamal Simmons, CAA Speakers is the direct source for authentic information about availability and pricing.
What is Jamal Simmons's speaking fee?
Jamal Simmons's speaking fee varies by event type, location, and requirements. As a top keynote speaker, Jamal Simmons's fee reflects their expertise and market demand.
Speaking fee factors:- Event type and audience size
- Travel distance and logistics
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Additional costs: Travel, accommodation, A/V requirements, and optional meet-and-greets.
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for Jamal Simmons's current speaking fee and detailed cost breakdown.
How much does it cost to book Jamal Simmons as a keynote speaker?
The cost to book Jamal Simmons as keynote speaker includes their speaking fee plus travel and logistics expenses.
Total booking cost includes:- Jamal Simmons's keynote speaking fee
- Travel and accommodation
- Technical requirements and A/V setup
- Optional add-ons like book signing and meet & greets
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Email speakers@caa.com for Jamal Simmons's exact booking cost and customized pricing proposal.
How to contact Jamal Simmons for speaking engagements?
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for all Jamal Simmons speaking engagements.
Official contact for Jamal Simmons bookings:- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: https://www.caa.com/caaspeakers/jamal-simmons
- Response time: 24 hours
Include your event date, location, audience size, and budget when contacting CAA about booking Jamal Simmons.
Is Jamal Simmons available for virtual speaking events?
Yes, Jamal Simmons speaks at virtual events with professional-grade equipment and interactive presentation style.
Jamal Simmons's virtual event options:- Live virtual keynotes with Q&A
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Virtual events offer global reach, flexible scheduling, and reduced travel costs while maintaining Jamal Simmons's engaging presentation quality.
Contact CAA Speakers for Jamal Simmons's virtual event availability and technical specifications.
What events can I book Jamal Simmons for?
Book Jamal Simmons for corporate conferences, industry events, private functions, and virtual presentations. Jamal Simmons customizes content for any audience size or event type.
Event types:- Corporate meetings and conferences
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Jamal Simmons engages audiences from private executive meetings to large conferences with thousands of attendees.
Contact CAA Speakers to discuss how Jamal Simmons can customize their presentation for your specific event.
Jamal Simmons booking information and availability
Check Jamal Simmons's speaking availability through CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com. Book 3-6 months in advance for best date selection during peak seasons (September-November, March-May).
Availability factors:- Event date and location
- Speaking fee and budget
- Lead time for booking
- Peak conference seasons
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Contact CAA early in your planning process to secure Jamal Simmons for your preferred event date.
Book Jamal Simmons keynote speaker through CAA
Book Jamal Simmons through CAA Speakers for guaranteed authentic representation and professional event coordination. CAA is the preferred booking agent for Jamal Simmons, with direct access to their speaking availability and decades of experience representing the world’s top keynote speakers.
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Trusted by Fortune 500 companies for their most important speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com to book Jamal Simmons for your next event.
Will Jamal Simmons speak at private events?
Yes, Jamal Simmons speaks at private corporate events, executive retreats, board meetings, and exclusive functions.
Private event types:- Executive retreats and board presentations
- Client entertainment and VIP gatherings
- Corporate celebrations and award ceremonies
- Private dinners and exclusive functions
Private event benefits: Customized content, enhanced interaction, complete confidentiality, and flexible scheduling.
Contact CAA Speakers for Jamal Simmons's private event availability and confidential pricing proposals.
How quickly will I get a response about booking Jamal Simmons?
CAA Speakers responds to Jamal Simmons booking inquiries within 24 hours during business days. Complex requests or international events may take up to 48 hours for detailed proposals.
Response timeline:- Initial acknowledgment: Within 24 hours
- Availability confirmation: 24-48 hours
- Detailed pricing proposal: 48-72 hours
- Urgent requests: Same-day priority response
Include complete event details (date, location, audience size, budget) for fastest response times.
How far in advance should I book Jamal Simmons?
Book Jamal Simmons 3-6 months in advance for best availability, especially during peak speaking seasons. Early booking ensures better date selection and rate negotiations.
Recommended booking timeline:- 3-6 months: Optimal availability and pricing
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Peak seasons: September-November and March-May book fastest. Contact CAA Speakers early for priority consideration.
How do I get Jamal Simmons pricing information?
Get Jamal Simmons pricing information by contacting CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com with your event details. Receive detailed cost breakdown within 24-48 hours with no obligation to book.
For accurate pricing, include:- Event date and location
- Audience size and type
- Event format and duration
- Budget parameters
CAA provides transparent pricing with all costs included - speaking fee, travel, accommodation, and technical requirements.