Jamila White is an International Development and Humanitarian expert with 15 years experience managing, designing and implementing more than 100 million dollars in complex economic and social development initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Americas. Raised in Virginia and Southeast D.C., Jamila’s life's work has been focused on opening doors, creating access, and supporting Black, Indigenous and people of color worldwide. Jamila holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Hampton University and a Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Economic Development and International Affairs from Indiana University. She was recently elected to local office in Washington D.C. and was sworn in as a Commissioner in January 2021 to a two-year term.
Previously, Jamila was the Senior Africa Representative for Mercy Corps. Mercy Corps is a global team of humanitarians who partner with communities, corporations and governments to transform lives around the world by alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression to help people build secure, productive and just communities. Jamila drove implementation of Mercy Corps Africa’s strategy to: Champion and Empower the Young African Leader and co-chairs Mercy Corps DC based People of Color Affinity Group.
Jamila is the co- founder of the Geraldine N. Coleman “a Seat at the Kitchen Table” College Scholarship Fund (a family fund she created to honor the legacy of her late grandmother who championed women's rights, education, and economic freedom), a fellow with the Aspen Institute International Career Advancement Program (ICAP), Board Advisor at the Africa Summit, Co-Chair of the Society for International Development's Young Professional Network where she uses her platform to increase the equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in the industry by hosting discussions and events focused on #metoo, LGBTQI and sexual minorities, young professionals breaking into the industry, and racial diversity in foreign affairs. In addition, Jamila is a volunteer mentor with College Bound, Strategic Advisor for One World Exchange, Atlas Corps Volunteer, and works with Historically Black Colleges and Universities to develop the next pipeline of Black leaders in Foreign Affairs.
Jamila resides in Washington D.C. and enjoys spending time with her family, travelling, the Arts, meditation, shopping, and decorating in her free time.