Ralph B. Everett is President and CEO of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, widely acknowledged as the nation’s leading think tank for policy analysis and research on issues of concern to African Americans and other people of color.  Mr. Everett was appointed President and CEO of the Joint Center on January 1, 2007.  His visionary plan of action is centered on launching new initiatives designed to strengthen the effectiveness and visibility of the Joint Center’s work.  They include Institutes on Media and Technology and Civic Engagement and Governance, as well as the Commission to Engage African Americans on Climate Change.

Cynthia G. Marshall is Chair of the Joint Center's Board of Governors. She is also currently President, AT&T North Carolina, and directly responsible for the company’s regulatory, legislative and community affairs activities in the state while overseeing AT&T’s  operations of 8,400 employees.