Dakarai Aarons

Dakarai Aarons is an experienced advocate and policy communications strategist who is Director of Education Policy and Partnerships for the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, where he leads the philanthropy's grantmaking on education policy and advocacy. He previously served as a communications lead for CZI's education and ventures work. Before joining CZI in 2018, Dakarai was VP of Strategic Communications for the Data Quality Campaign, where he oversaw staff and strategy for a national campaign focused on building public will. Dakarai has directed award-winning media and publicity campaigns and written award-winning news coverage on education policy and practice issues. Dakarai is a board member of the American Youth Policy Forum and chairman of the Wayfinder Foundation's board of directors. A former longtime board member of the Education Writers Association, he's a member of the National Press Club and a former committee chairman of the National Association of Black Journalists.