Black in AI Announces New Board of Directors and Advisory Board Members

VIRTUAL – June 26, 2025

TODAY — Black in AI, a global programmatic and membership-based nonprofit organization dedicated to shifting power dynamics across the AI ecosystem to help thinkers and creators build the future of artificial intelligence, today announced the appointment of a new slate of leaders joining its Board of Directors and Advisory Board. This expansion marks a significant milestone in the organization's evolution as it continues to build on its fountdational commitment to broaden access to the field of AI.

Founded in 2017, Black in AI has evolved from a grassroots initiative into a respected, multifaceted organization with a global reach. The organization's work centers on two key pillars: Community Engagement (professional membership, events, and ecosystem support) and Programs and Initiatives (education & career pathways, civil society & policy, research & advocacy, and entrepreneurship). Through these efforts, Black in AI has expanded opportunities for thousands of AI practitioners worldwide — including researchers, technologists, and innovators.

"This leadership expansion comes at a pivotal moment in both our organization's journey and the broader AI landscape," said Gelyn Watkins, CEO of Black in AI. "As AI continues to reshape industries and societies, ensuring our community’s full participation in the policies and practices that shape this technology is both a crucial need and an opportunity. Our new board members bring invaluable expertise that will help us expand opportunities and access so that our community can contribute their most brilliant work for themselves and the global ecosystem, resulting in equitable AI futures for us all."

‍New Board of Directors members are:

‍Alondra Nelson, Ph.D. Harold F. Linder Professor at the Institute for Advanced Study and former Acting Director and Principal Deputy Director at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Natalye Paquin, Chief Operating Officer at The Rockefeller Foundation, Natalye brings decades of experience in service to public and nonprofit organizations at the board level. 

New Advisory Board members are:

William Isaac, Ph.D. Principal Scientist and Head of Ethics Research at Google DeepMind. 

‍Rashida Richardson, Civil rights and AI policy expert, is currently serving as Senior Counsel for AI at Mastercard and shaping responsible tech policy across academia, government, and industry.

"I'm honored to join the leadership of Black in AI at this crucial time," said Alondra Nelson. "The organization has a remarkable track record of success in changing the paradigm of AI policy, practice, and academia toward equity. I look forward to contributing to this important mission and helping expand opportunities throughout the AI ecosystem."

“I look forward to expanding Black in AI’s education, research, and advocacy initiatives, as well as joining a group of people dedicated to dramatically strengthening the field of AI development and deployment,” said Natalye Paquin. 

"The expansion of our community not only demonstrates the transformative potential of AI but also underscores the vital need for inclusive representation to fully realize the field’s promise,” stated Gelyn Watkins, CEO of Black in AI. “With the addition of these accomplished leaders to our boards, we are better positioned to broaden our influence and enable a diverse range of voices and perspectives to advance the field of artificial intelligence.”

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About Black in AI

‍Black in AI is a global nonprofit organization. We shift the power dynamics across the AI Ecosystem to broaden the range of voices contributing to the development, deployment, and regulation of AI technology. Thinking forward, we envision a barrier-free field that empowers our community to contribute and accelerate their best, most brilliant work for themselves, fellow practitioners, and their global ecosystems.

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