Kamau M. Marshall

Kamau Mandela Marshall (born December 27) is an American political advisor, strategist and communications executive. He served as director of strategic communications for the Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign, and as deputy assistant United States Trade Representative for media and public affairs.

Marshall also served in Baltimore city government under Mayor Brandon Scott as chief communications officer and chief strategy officer, and is the founder of Think Toplines, a strategic communications and public affairs consultancy.

Early life and education

Marshall was born in Chicago, Illinois, but spent most of his childhood in cities including Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Birmingham, Atlanta, and Columbus, Georgia. His father was a Presbyterian minister.

Marshall earned a Bachelor of Arts in broadcast journalism and a Masters in Public Administration from Texas Southern University in Houston. While at Texas Southern, he served in the student government association, was a member of the Ocean of Soul Marching Band.

Career

After graduating, he worked as a middle and high school teacher and served as a graduate teaching assistant and assistant debate coach under Dr. Thomas Freeman at Texas Southern. He later worked as a field organizer on Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign.

U.S. Congress

Marshall held staff and communications roles in both the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. He served on the staff of Senator Tom Carper and as a special assistant to Congressman Elijah Cummings. He later served as communications director for Congressman Al Green.

Campaigns

During the 2018 midterm cycle, Marshall worked at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee under the leadership of Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Chairman Ben Ray Luján. He served as director of African American media and deputy national press secretary at the DCCC. In July 2024, it was reported that Marshall joined Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign as a senior adviser.

Biden administration

In July 2021, the Office of the United States Trade Representative announced Marshall’s appointment as deputy assistant U.S. trade representative for media and public affairs, serving under Ambassador Katherine Tai.

Private sector

Earlier in his career, Marshall worked at SKDK, a public affairs and political consulting firm. Following his government service, he founded Think Toplines, a strategic communications consultancy.