Maisha Simmons, MPA recently joined the NAACP as the Deputy Chief Director of Development/Sr. Director of Foundation Relations. Most recently Simmons served as a Senior Program Officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) in an administrative role supporting the management of team operations and functions.
“We are excited to have Maisha as part of the Development Team at the NAACP to lead our efforts in Foundation Relations. She brings to our organization deep and trusted relationships within the philanthropic community and has the passion and dedication to support partnership between the NAACP and the funder community,” said Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO.
For more than 20 years, Simmons has been dedicated to serving community organizations where she worked on issues like community violence prevention, early care and education, childhood obesity and youth development. Notably she led RWJF’s commitment to improving the health and well-being of young men and boys of color which was recognized during the Obama Administration through the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative.
“As one of the first Program Officers at RWJF to facilitate the relationship between NAACP and the Foundation I have seen first-hand the impact that can come from civic organizations in partnership with philanthropy to address some of the real challenges that communities face today. I look forward to continuing this practice at NAACP,” said Simmons.
Simmons is a graduate of Rutgers University and Baruch College and joins the Association as it restructures to better align its operations with the current political and civil rights climate.
