Aba Blankson
Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
NAACP
Aba Blankson is a visionary executive and the current Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for the NAACP. Blankson oversees and develops communication strategies, campaigns, and partner collaborations to elevate the NAACP brand's products and services. Under her leadership, the NAACP launched initiatives such as the "COVID Unmasked" virtual event series to raise awareness of pandemic impacts and the 2020 Davey Award-Winning campaigns #WEAREDONEDYING and Virtual March on Washington to bring attention to longstanding racial disparities.
Blankson counts the landmark Jamestown to Jamestown journey to Ghana as one of her most treasured experiences with the NAACP. Most recently, Blankson led the development and publication of the powerful Twenty20 in Black coffee table book documenting the Black experience of 2020.
Prior to joining the NAACP, Blankson served as marketing and communications lead at the Common Application, where she spearheaded the development of strategic marketing and public engagement plans to advance the association's brand identity as a thought-leader in higher education. Previously, Blankson served as a communications and outreach officer with the U.S. Department of State.
Blankson grew up in Baltimore and holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Hood College, a Master's in Computer Science from Towson University, and an MBA from the Cornell University SC Johnson College of Business.
Blankson has served as the Executive in Residence at the UT Austin Moody School of Communications. A member of the Page Society of leading Communications Officers, Blankson is a frequent speaker on national panels and conferences. Blankson's commentary has appeared in outlets such as Forbes, Fast Company, AdAge, Washington Post, and NY Times.
In her spare time, Blankson enjoys traveling, writing, and photography. She prides herself on being willing to take the road less traveled, and she's passionate about supporting the work of others, ensuring that diverse voices and thought leaders are at the forefront of conversations in advocacy where possible.
Blankson counts the landmark Jamestown to Jamestown journey to Ghana as one of her most treasured experiences with the NAACP. Most recently, Blankson led the development and publication of the powerful Twenty20 in Black coffee table book documenting the Black experience of 2020.
Prior to joining the NAACP, Blankson served as marketing and communications lead at the Common Application, where she spearheaded the development of strategic marketing and public engagement plans to advance the association's brand identity as a thought-leader in higher education. Previously, Blankson served as a communications and outreach officer with the U.S. Department of State.
Blankson grew up in Baltimore and holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Hood College, a Master's in Computer Science from Towson University, and an MBA from the Cornell University SC Johnson College of Business.
Blankson has served as the Executive in Residence at the UT Austin Moody School of Communications. A member of the Page Society of leading Communications Officers, Blankson is a frequent speaker on national panels and conferences. Blankson's commentary has appeared in outlets such as Forbes, Fast Company, AdAge, Washington Post, and NY Times.
In her spare time, Blankson enjoys traveling, writing, and photography. She prides herself on being willing to take the road less traveled, and she's passionate about supporting the work of others, ensuring that diverse voices and thought leaders are at the forefront of conversations in advocacy where possible.