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Shennell Barnes-McCloud is a trailblazing social justice leader and media executive. As CEO of Project Ready, she has transformed Newark’s political landscape through voter registration drives and policy advocacy, resulting in her constituents holding 42% of local offices. Shennell’s work has removed barriers to voting, with successes like online registration and expanded mail-in ballots. Her leadership has mobilized 18,000 Newarkers to commit to vote, with 36% of Project Ready members participating in local elections. As Executive Director of Be Ready, the first NJPAC dedicated to electing Black women, she is reshaping the state’s political power dynamics. As Executive Producer of the Dear America Project, Shennell amplifies the voices of Black women nationally through a groundbreaking iHeart Radio show and an upcoming documentary. Recognized with numerous fellowships and awards, Shennell is a 2024 Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women Program Cohort member and YWCA Northern New Jersey Racial Justice Award Honoree. Her tireless efforts have made her a driving force for equity and representation in American politics.