Jolene Ivey is a former broadcast journalist, a graduate of Towson University, and holds a master's degree in Journalism from the University of Maryland. She is a co-founder of Mocha Moms, a support group for at-home mothers of color, and helped grow the organization to have a national presence. For 7 years she was a regular contributor on NPR's "Tell Me More," hosted by Michel Martin, discussing parenting issues, and now is an occasional guest on "All Things Considered," as a political commentator. She also appears on WJLA-TV, News Channel 8 and WTTG Fox 5 as a Democratic strategist. As president of Jolene Ivey Communications, she represented Whiting-Turner Contracting on the MGM Casino project, and Lerner Enterprises in their quest to land the FBI at the former Landover Mall site.
In 2006, she took on and defeated an incumbent legislator in the primary and became a delegate from District 47 in the Maryland House of Delegates. She served on the Ways and Means Committee and on the subcommittees on education, taxes, gaming and election law. She was the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Youth and Families, and also served as chair of the Prince George's County House delegation.
Some of her noteworthy legislative accomplishments include leading the correction of an education funding formula that has brought back an additional $41 million to Prince George's County Public Schools; amending the state's Constitution to remove elected officials from office when found guilty of certain crimes; allowing undocumented immigrants to receive drivers licenses; and having Maryland formally recognize Emancipation Day.
Jolene Ivey is not currently in elected office, but continues to serve the public. She is a member of Cheverly American Legion Auxiliary Unit 108, and the boards of Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, Pyramid Atlantic, and Children's Hospital.
Jolene has received numerous awards, including most recently being named one of the Daily Record's Top 100 Women of Maryland for 2016, and the Maryland State NAACP's Kweisi Mfume Award.
Jolene is married to Glenn Ivey, the former State's Attorney of Prince George's County and a partner at Price Benowitz LLP, a law firm based in Washington, DC. They are the parents of 5 sons. Jolene is also step-mother to Glenn's daughter.
Jolene Ivey has a record of effective advocacy and responsiveness.
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