Hill Team — Black Women's Congressional Alliance

Courtney

Cochran

Courtney Cochran serves as Deputy Director of Member Services for House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, a senior staff role supporting the Democratic Caucus with programming and guidance to ensure Members meet legislative, operational, and constituent-service goals, and providing strategic support for Whip operations to keep House Democrats unified on policies that ensure progress for American families.

In the 117th Congress, Courtney was part of then-Assistant Speaker Clark’s historic rise to Democratic Whip – only the second woman to be elected to the position – maximizing House Democrats ability to reach and impact their constituents, connect their priorities with the needs of their districts, and build lasting connections as Director of Strategic Planning. She joined Team Clark after a combined five years with Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, the first Black woman to represent New Jersey in Congress, departing her office as Deputy Chief of Staff, and has spent the majority of the past decade supporting members across the Democratic caucus in a number of capacities, including Press Secretary to the late Congressman Elijah Cummings and Legislative Assistant for Congressman Adam Smith. She also previously served as Senior Manager for Media Relations at the American Diabetes Association, organizing media and broader communications strategy for one of the nation’s largest health-focused nonprofit organizations.

Courtney is a member, and has previously served on the executive board, of the Congressional Black Associates, a Congressional Staff Organization that creates personal and professional development opportunities and advocates for the needs of Black staff. She joined the first and finest sisterhood of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in the fall of 2007, and is also active in AKAs on the Hill.

Courtney received bachelor's degrees in International Studies and Organizational Communications from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and still claims the Cleveland suburb of Solon as her hometown. She resides in Washington, DC with her husband, Ahmad Harris.

Leah Hill

Leah Hill currently serves as Legislative Director for Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), an active member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Before joining the Booker team in Spring 2021, she was Senior Policy Advisor to Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), working on education, transportation, civil rights and social services issues. She came to Capitol Hill in 2013 as an education policy fellow for then-Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (D-OH).
Previous to her work on the Hill, she served as a political organizer for Organizing for America. She was also a first and second grade teacher in Chicago, IL.
Leah is originally from Charlotte, NC. She earned her bachelor’s in Public Policy Studies from Duke University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Dominican University.

Hope Goins

Hope E. Goins is the Minority Staff Director of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security. She is Committee Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson’s top advisor on the oversight of the Department of Homeland Security and national security throughout the Executive Branch. Ms. Goins is responsible for advancing and coordinating all Committee policy and legislation with the leadership of the House of Representatives.

With over 15 years of Capitol Hill experience, Hope has supervised the negotiation of key homeland security legislation. In 2021, Hope was tapped to be a senior advisor on the Select Committee on the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol.

Hope has represented the United States and the Department of State on over 25 nations including the Five Eyes, the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe.

Alyssa Mensie

Alyssa Mensie serves as a Member Services and Outreach Advisor for the Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, Pete Aguilar (CA-33). In this role, she liaises between the House Democratic Caucus and individual Member offices. She also serves as the Democratic Caucus's primary point of contact for the Congressional Black Caucus, Blue Dog Coalition, Problem Solvers Caucus, and Pro-Choice Caucus.
Alyssa previously served as the Director of Social Engagement for the Congressional Black Associates.

Alyssa is originally from Chicago, Illinois, where she received her B.A. from The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Prior to working for the House Democratic Caucus, Alyssa worked for Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) and for Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02).

Joicelynne Jackson

Joicelynne T. Jackson is the legislative director at the Office of Delia Ramirez IL-03, the first Latina elected to Congress to represent Illinois.

As Legislative Director, Joicelynne works with the legislative staff and advises the Congresswoman on all legislative matters, including immigration, housing, and healthcare.

In addition to her role with the office, Joicelynne is an active member of several Capitol Hill professional organizations, such as the Congressional Black Associates. She has contributed her knowledge and expertise to various projects and initiatives such as BWCA Hill-staff Coffees and BWCA job board.

Joicelynne holds a BA in Political Science from the University of South Florida. Her ability to work across disciplines and her commitment to public service has made her an asset to the Office of Representative Ramirez and the Black Women’s Congressional Alliance.

Anjunelly Jean-Pierre

Anjunelly Jean-Pierre has been on Capitol Hill for 10 years, she started as a cook in the Capitol Visitor Center, then managing the Members Dining and Senate Cafeteria. Currently Anjunelly serves as Appointment Desk Specialist with the Senate Sergeant at Arms.

With her love for culinary arts, Anjunelly completed her degree in Culinary Management and also worked in television with Chef Emeril Lagasse as one of his Sous Chef.

Anjunelly has been featured in Glamour Magazine, BBC Radio 5 Live, TV2, and host of other international media.