The Citizen Service has officially named Rashawn Davis as its new Executive Director, a move designed to propel the organization’s national expansion. Davis is charged with leading a mission-driven team dedicated to an ambitious goal: building an America where every person has the skills and opportunities to work alongside their neighbors to better their communities.
Founded in 1997 as The Citizens Campaign, the organization empowers people through No-Blame Leadership training. The philosophy is simple but powerful: focus on respectful problem solving rather than pointing fingers. By infusing the nation with citizen-driven leadership, Davis aims to find the common ground necessary to rejuvenate our democracy as we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States.
A Career Rooted in Newark
Rashawn’s journey began right here in his hometown of Newark, New Jersey. He made history as one of the youngest people ever certified for a municipal election ballot in the city and later served as a commissioner on the Newark Civilian Complaint Review Board. His career has consistently prioritized equity and democratic participation, qualities that Harry Pozycki, founder of The Citizen Service, says align perfectly with the organization’s vision.
Scaling for National Impact
Before taking this new mantle, Davis served as the Executive Director of the Andrew Goodman Foundation, where he mobilized young people on campuses nationwide for civic engagement. Now, he is turning his focus toward America’s community colleges.
The expansion plan includes:
- Community College Hubs: Growing a presence across more than 1,000 community colleges, which serve as vital anchors for civic dialogue.
- Youth and Faith-Based Partnerships: Strengthening ties with institutions that value solution-oriented engagement.
- National Movement: Tapping into the ingenuity of Americans in their own hometowns to honor the nation’s founding ideals.
“As we mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation, it is essential to honor our founding ideals by revitalizing our democracy with the new energy and ideas that can only come from its citizens,” Davis said. With a master’s from NYU and a bachelor’s from Georgetown, Rashawn continues to share his insights through his Substack blog, Pulse Check.
