
Kamau (Cuh-my-ya) Mandela Marshall is a communications strategist, Capitol Hill veteran, and political operative who comes with a decade of experience in communications, outreach, and engagement -- most recently working on some of the most competitive, high-profile congressional and presidential campaigns across the country.
Kamau has spent the last decade as a communications strategist at the highest levels of politics, government, and business. He served as the Director of Strategic Communications for the 2020 “Biden for President” campaign from launch in April 2019 through victory in November 2020. As a spokesperson, Kamau managed national media for the candidate (now President Joe Biden), the campaign co-chairs, and the high-level surrogates.
Beyond that, he enhanced Black media and culture strategies, targeting a diverse coalition of voters while also managing strategic rollouts for surrogates, endorsements, and policy proposals. He also utilized media strategies to manage cultural moments for in-person and virtual events. Notably, Kamau was a Senior Advisor and Spokesperson for the 59th Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC), working directly with the CEO and co-chairs.
Prior to the Biden campaign, he served as a spokesman and an advisor for African American Media at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), where he was a team member that won back the House in 2018 for the first time since 2006, flipping the most seats from red to blue since 1974. One of Kamau's highlights when working at the D-Triple C was working and traveling closely with the late Congressman John Lewis (D-GA).
Marshall was the Communications Director for Congressman Al Green (D-TX) when he was the first member of Congress to lead the impeachment efforts. He has also worked for the late Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Senator Tom Carper (D-DE), and at a firm called SKDKnickerbocker. Additionally, he served in the Obama Administration as a Speechwriter and Communications Advisor at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the leadership of Secretary Tom Vilsack. He is an alum of the Obama-Biden 2012 re-election campaign where he worked in Nevada and Texas.
Kamau has an effective, winning track record working with high-profile influencers within the political and entertainment world, focusing on purpose-driven messaging, while doing the same for thought leaders and business executives. Kamau is a skilled coalition builder and effective messaging strategist reaching multiple audiences.
Marshall was born in Chicago, IL. Throughout his childhood, he lived in Baltimore, MD, Pittsburgh, PA, Birmingham, AL, and Columbus and Atlanta, GA. Marshall has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and a master’s degree in Public Administration from one of the largest and most diverse HBCU’s in the nation, Texas Southern University, located in Houston, TX. Kamau, who is known as the "Organic Gentleman", enjoys reading, quality time with family and friends, deep sea fishing, and traveling when time permits. He currently resides in Washington, DC.
COMMUNICATIONS, CULTURE, SOCIAL & IMPACT STRATEGIST
Photo by Samuel L. Johnson III Photography
Photo by T. Nicole Images
areas of expertise
Campaign Management
Community Engagement & Outreach
Political & Communication Strategy
Crisis Communications
Culture & Social Impact
Creative Digital Strategy
Public Affairs/PR/Media Relations
Stakeholder & Public Engagement
Strategic Communications