Dr. Adjoa B. Asamoah is a towering figure in racial equity advocacy, policy development, and coalition building. As an architect of the CROWN Act movement and former National Advisor for Black Engagement on the Biden-Harris Campaign, she embodies a unique blend of academic expertise, grassroots organizing and strategic leadership. In this exclusive interview, Dr. Asamoah describes her superpowers, her vision for collective elevation and the profound personal experiences that shaped her commitment to advancing racial justice.
Every sister with superpowers possesses unique gifts that transform lives and communities. What are your distinct superpowers? And how do they manifest in the work and leadership?
At the risk of sounding far less humble than I can be, but to answer the question and acknowledge the gifts our ancestors passed down to me enabling me to honor my life’s assignment, I will note I have a few. I’m a pretty good student of history and I let it inform my HOW. I’m also a skilled policy architect, great organizer, and strategic coalition builder. I leverage those superpowers to move the needle for our people, with the CROWN Act for example – which is a movement I’ve led since 2018.
Share your vision for collective elevation. How can women better support each other in achieving excellence across all sectors?
That’s a question better suited for a docuseries. In my view, in a perfect world we would collectively be better consumers of policy and more knowledgeable about government and civics. So much of our lives are directly impacted by both. I want us to be equipped with the knowledge necessary to ensure we sustain, grow, and are successful across industries and sectors, and against all odds.
How do you maintain your balance between building your legacy and prioritizing self-care?
Candidly, I am less concerned with my personal legacy. I am more concerned with our collective survival and getting to a place where we are okay, especially in this current climate. I want us to all ultimately thrive, and that is in full recognition that some of us are already doing so. As a licensed therapist, I know the importance of rest, restoration, relaxing, and removing stress, understanding their critical importance [regarding] our overall health. Specifically for sisters in general, it is important for us to find that balance, noting it requires prioritizing self-care. I am being much more intentional about consistently doing a better job.
How do you create spaces that empower other women to step into their greatness?
I am very intentional about lifting other sisters up. That is inherently who I am, at my core. I am good at recognizing other people’s greatness even when they don’t, and lifting it. Too many of us are taught to be humble, as if we’re not worthy of celebration, when we are. So, I can be heard often saying, “You are an excellent {insert skill set}, OWN IT.” I also do well with mentorship. Today, I had my National Coalition of 100 Black Women chapter retreat – and was with sisters who are older and younger than I am. We focused on winning as a collective.
Collectivism is part of my value system, and it requires an intergenerational approach to stepping into and living in our greatness. Knowing the world is not always kind to Black women and girls, I’m also intentional about giving “us” compliments. I tell little Black girls I see “you are smart and beautiful”, as a matter of habit. I do the same with sistas. Lastly, preparing my replacement is something that is critically important to me. I will not be here forever. None of us will be. We’re all just passing through and running our leg of the race, so mentorship is one of the best ways I know to help ensure the next generation is best equipped to do their part.
Can you tell us, was there a defining moment in particular that awakened your superpowers?
I don’t recall there being “one” defining moment. I know there were some ages and times in my younger life, however, that were truly pivotal. I am what some would consider a movement baby, meaning I was sort of born into this work. When I was 2 years old, I went to my first rally with my daddy. At 5 years old, I started going to college with him, learning about history and politics. At 7, I was full blown organizing, which is fitting, because I’m the daughter of 2 organizers. It was at the age of 9 that I vividly remember going to the birthplace of both parents.
My mom’s in the south and dad’s in Ghana. I recall seeing my people struggling in the south and the Door of No Return in Ghana was life-altering. You can’t be unchanged after going there. It was the place where too many of my ancestors were held captive and dehumanized in ways that are unconscionable. It was there I decided I wanted to work for our liberation. Not in those exact words at 9, but I absolutely declared my desire to lift us. My thoughts about my first visit really belong in a book. Recognizing space limits, I’ll note – we endured the unfathomable. We are the offspring of those who survived, with ancestors who gave so much. We truly owe them a great debt of gratitude.
