Kamau M. Marshall

Kamau M. Marshall
Born	Kamau Mandela Marshall
Birth date	December 27
Birth place	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Political advisor, communications strategist
Known for	Strategic communications leadership in U.S. political campaigns
Education	Texas Southern University (BA, MPA)

Kamau Mandela Marshall (born December 27) is an American political advisor, strategist, and communications executive. He has held roles in both federal and municipal government and worked on major Democratic political campaigns, particularly in messaging and communications leadership. Marshall was the director of strategic communications for the 2020 presidential campaign of Joe Biden and later served as deputy assistant U.S. trade representative for media and public affairs. He has also worked in Baltimore city government in senior communications roles.

Early life and education

Marshall was born on December 27 in Chicago, Illinois. His family moved frequently while he was young because his father was a Presbyterian Church pastor.

He finished high school at George Washington Carver High School in Columbus, Georgia. Marshall then attended Texas Southern University in Houston, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in broadcast journalism and a Master of Public Administration. While at Texas Southern, he was active in student government, performed with the Ocean of Soul marching band, hosted a radio show on KTSU, and competed on the university’s debate team.

Career

Early career and Obama administration

While studying at Texas Southern University, Marshall volunteered on Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. After graduating, he worked in education as a teacher and later as a graduate teaching assistant and debate coach at his alma mater.

Marshall then joined Obama’s 2012 presidential reelection effort as a field organizer. During the Obama administration, he served as a communications adviser and speechwriter at the United States Department of Agriculture under Secretary Tom Vilsack.

U.S. Congress

Marshall held several communications positions in the United States Congress. He was on the staff of Senator Tom Carper and served as a special assistant to Congressman Elijah Cummings. He later became communications director for Congressman Al Green and was a Security Fellow with the Truman National Security Project.

Campaigns

In the 2018 midterm election cycle, Marshall worked at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) as director of African American media and deputy national press secretary.

In 2019, he joined Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign as director of strategic communications, working closely with Congressman Cedric Richmond and guiding campaign messaging and media outreach. He later served as a senior adviser and spokesperson for the Biden–Harris 2024 campaign.

Biden administration

In July 2021, Marshall was appointed deputy assistant U.S. trade representative for media and public affairs in the Office of the United States Trade Representative under Ambassador Katherine Tai. In 2023, he moved to the United States Department of Education, where he served as a senior adviser on press strategy and public engagement.

Baltimore city government

In 2025, Marshall joined the administration of Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott as director of communications. He subsequently became chief communications officer and chief strategy officer, leading strategic messaging and advising the mayor on public affairs.

Recognition

Marshall has been recognized for his work in political communications. His honors include being named a Rising Star by *Campaigns & Elections*, inclusion in HBCU Buzz’s Top 30 Under 30, and profiles highlighting his strategic communications impact.

References

• “Kamau M. Marshall,” *Wikipedia*, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamau_M._Marshall
• “USTR Welcomes New Staff Members to the Front Office,” Office of the United States Trade Representative, https://ustr.gov/about-us/policy-offices/press-office/press-releases/2021/july/ustr-welcomes-new-staff-members-front-office
• “Baltimore Mayor Scott Appoints New Communications Director,” *AFRO American Newspapers*, https://afro.com/baltimore-mayor-scott-new-communications-director
• “Kamau Marshall Joins Baltimore Administration,” *The Quintessential Gentleman*, https://www.theqgentleman.com/post/2025-02-kamala-harris-former-senior-advisor-kamau-marshall-joins-baltimore-mayor-brandon-scotts-administration

External links

• Official website: https://www.kamaumarshall.com