Harris, in a statement, said Flournoys deep experience, public policy expertise and accomplished career in public service make her uniquely qualified for this important position. Flournoy has been a player in Democratic politics and policy since the early 1990s, with high-ranking jobs in the Clinton White House, the Democratic National Committee and the American Federation of Teachers, among other positions. According to a report by Vanity Fair, Clinton and Band interacted with some controversial celebrities and executives, including the late Jeffrey Epstein, who laterdiedby suicide in prison after being arrested for child sex trafficking. Flournoy's appointment as Harris' top staffer adds to a team of advisers led by Band, who co-founded corporate consulting firm Teneo, is known for helping create Clinton's post-presidential life, including assisting in launching the foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative. Moore did not return CNBC's request for comment for the previous story on Flournoy. Shes done a wonderful job as my chief of staff for nearly 8 years, and I will miss herbut Im thrilled about VP-elect Harris choice, he tweeted. Kamala Harris selected Tina Flournoy, who has served as chief of staff to President Clinton, to lead her vice presidential office when she and President-elect Joe Biden are sworn in next month, her transition team announced Thursday. Self-named political group Coloured Girls was a group of political staff in the late 80s, which consisted of Donna Brazile, Yolanda Caraway, Leah Daughtry, Minyon Moore and Tina Flournoy, all of who are black women. During the 2000 United States presidential election, Flournoy was traveling Chief of Staff to the Democratic vice-presidential nominee Joe Lieberman and Finance Director for the Al Gore 2000 presidential campaign. She was replaced with Lorraine Voles, former senior advisor to Vice President Harris and communications director to Vice President Al Gore and then-Senator Hillary Clinton.[10]. That glass ceiling in politics, she has put a crack in that.". "It was shocking because I said to myself, 'I'm an adult. Some of the people who discussed their experience with Flournoy declined to be named because they were not authorized to speak about their time around Clinton, while others didn't want to risk retribution from Flournoy. Its time to have a women-of-color agenda, where were defining the priorities of the country.. REUTERS/David Becker. High 77F. Please check your inbox to confirm. Harris also announced Rohini Kosoglu as her domestic policy adviser and Nancy McEldowney as her national security adviser. Matt McKenna, who was Bill Clinton's spokesperson from 2007 to 2015, noted the historic nature of Harris' candidacy and said Flournoy will skillfully manage competing demands for her time. But Minyon Moore, another former Clinton aide and close friend of Flournoys, is assisting Harris with staffing during the transition. Learn more about Friends of the NewsHour. Harris has regularly joined President-elect Joe Biden and offered remarks at briefings on the economy, the coronavirus and health care since the two won the November election. Almost two hours after she sent that email, McKenna, the former Clinton spokesman, made light of the suggestions in a response. Best Debt Consolidation Loans for Bad Credit, Personal Loans for 580 Credit Score or Lower, Personal Loans for 670 Credit Score or Lower. Before that, Tina Flournoy was deputy campaign manager in the 1992 Clinton and Gore Presidential Transition Office and in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel. VP-elect Harris picks Tina Flournoy to be her chief of staff Tina Flournoy is currently serving as chief of staff to Bill Clinton, but worked as assistant to the president for public policy at the American Federation of Teachers, The name dates back to 1988, during Michael Dukakis' presidential run. She oversaw about 10 employees in Clinton's office, while the vice president's office typically has a staff of up to 100 people. Lorraine Voles, who was brought in as a senior adviser to Harris last summer, will step into the role. Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. Tina Flournoy The donor reached out to a fellow Democratic financier for Flournoy's contact information. Got a confidential news tip? According to this article from last summer, it's more about Flournoy than the VP. pledged Delta Sigma Theta while attending Spelman College. Leah D. Daughtry and Yolanda H. Caraway. From day 1, she led our team during a historic first year as we made progress rebuilding our economy here at home and our alliances around the world., The vice president added that she would continue to rely on Flournoy for her advice, counsel and friendship., In the same emailed statement, White House chief of staff Ron Klain said in an email that Flournoy had been a critical member of the White House team since day one, working with the President and Vice President to make their partnership effective and help the administration deliver on critical priorities., with some of that ire pointed at Flournoy. GU Politics 5th Anniversary Keynote "This shows that Black women are the backbone of the Democratic party. won Grammys for Best New Artist and Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female for This Will Be., pledged Deltas Beta Alpha chapter while attending Florida A&M University. Kamala Harris chief of staff, criticized for tough tactics, The current vice president, Mike Pence, has been in charge of the White Houses response to the coronavirus. She went on to earn her doctorate at thethe University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she pledgedDelta Sigma Thetain April 1974. Although there hasnt been any official confirmation on Tina Flournoys appointment, a source with knowledge of the decision has reportedly revealed it. She's always admired the vice president-elect and even said she's been mistaken as her doppelgnger at airports and restaurants. For others, recent reports about Flournoy's tactics reminded them of their interactions with her while she worked for Clinton. During a town hall meeting in Charleston, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott hinted at an official announcement to run for president in 2024. Founded on Jan. 13, 1913, at Howard University, the ", Flournoy is quite the force in the Democratic Party and she has been involved in prominent roles for decades. Tina Flournoy According to her online biography, she was the traveling chief of staff to 2000 vice presidential nominee Joseph Lieberman and finance director for then-Vice President Al Gores 2000 presidential campaign. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris has named Tina Flournoy, a veteran Democratic strategist and aide to the Clintons, as her chief of staff, the transition team That didn't work. pledging FAMUs Beta Alpha chapter in the fall of 2001. The latest news, analysis and insights from our politics team. Flournoy is a longtime and respected Democratic operative who worked in the White House for President Bill Clinton, Clintons re-election campaign and Al Gores run for president in 2000. Please see our. Harris, who is of Jamaican and Indian heritage, is the nation's first female vice president. She needs someone who can honor the historic nature of her candidacy and her victory and her place in the world, he said. (CNN) -- Vice President Kamala Harris ' chief of staff, Tina Flournoy, is leaving her position this spring, a White House official told CNN Thursday. Fast-forward to 2020, that's exactlywhat Harris accomplished, making history as the first woman, first Black and first Asian American vice president-elect. That follows a career that took her to top posts at the Democratic National Committee, in the presidential campaigns of former Vice President Al Gore and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and with the American Federation of Teachers. ". Find out more about the woman rumoured to be elected into the new White House office. LOS ANGELES - NOV 14: Keshia Knight Pulliam at the "It's A Wonderful Lifetime" Red Carpet at the Grove on November 14, 2018 in Los Angeles, CA / Natalie Cole at 2002 Grammy Awards, LA, CA 2/27/2002, By subscribing, you agree to share your email address with EBONY to receive our weekly emails, events, and other updates. Tina Flournoy: The Truth About Kamala Harris' Chief Of President-elect Joe Biden is facing increasing pressure from competing Democratic factions as he finalizes his choice for secretary of Defense. 148 Williman Street Flournoy was originally connected to Harris by Minyon Moore, who was an assistant to Clinton when he was president. Some of these same advisors and donors are trying other routes, including by attempting to speak with Douglas Emhoff, the vice presidents husband. But Minyon Moore, another former Clinton aide and close friend of Flournoy, is assisting Harris with staffing during the transition. As Tina Flournoy exerts her power as a gatekeeper to the vice president, several of Harris' allies outside the federal government are struggling to get their calls Can the island keep it? She went on to become the first African-American elected to the Texas Senate since reconstruction and the first Southern black woman elected to the House of Representatives. Shes part of a group of Black political operatives whove worked together in Democratic politics for decades, including Donna Brazile, Minyon Moore, Leah Daughtry and Yolanda Caraway. Kamala Harris picks Tina Flournoy to be her chief of staff "It was shocking," said a person who said Flournoy yelled at them. "We see it as opening doors for so many. Our commitment to showcasing the best and brightest as well as highlighting disparities in Black life has been, and will always be, cornerstone to EBONY. Thank you. Can the island keep it? When Flournoy joins the White House staff, she will be joining at two other women of colour holding senior roles in Kamala Harris office.