Shuwanza Goff facts for kids

Shuwanza Rebecca Goff (born around 1983 or 1984) is an important American political advisor. She works as the director of the White House Office of Legislative Affairs. This means she helps the President work with Congress. In 2019, she became the floor director for Steny Hoyer, a top leader in the House of Representatives. She was the first African-American woman to hold this role.

Early Life and School

Shuwanza Goff grew up in New York City with her sister, April. Her parents are Robert and Hershular Smith-Goff. In the 1990s, her family moved to Mechanicsville, Virginia. Shuwanza went to a private school in Richmond, Virginia.

Shuwanza became interested in politics when she was young. Her parents often took her and her sister to vote on Election Day. They even let her pull the lever on the voting machine. Her family talked about politics often at dinner.

When she was young, Shuwanza showed she wasn't afraid to speak up. When David Dinkins lost a mayoral election in New York City in 1993, Shuwanza wrote him a letter. She wanted to share her feelings about the election. Later, when Hillary Clinton visited Shuwanza's school, Shuwanza was in fourth grade. Her class didn't get to see Clinton. Shuwanza organized a small protest because her class was left out.

Shuwanza decided to go to the University of Tennessee. A student from the university had visited her high school class. In 2006, she earned her bachelor's degree in political science. She then got her master's degree in justice, law, and society from American University in 2008. During her studies, she worked as an intern on Capitol Hill.

Her Career Journey

In 2008, Shuwanza Goff started working for Steny Hoyer. She planned to stay only for a short time. But by 2012, she was a deputy director in his office. She helped manage legislative operations.

In January 2019, Shuwanza became the floor director for legislative operations for Hoyer. This was a big step. She was the first African-American woman to hold this important job. In this role, she talked with people from different political parties. She also helped plan the schedule for new laws. This helped Congress, the Senate, and the White House work together.

In November 2020, Shuwanza was named deputy director of the White House Office of Legislative Affairs. She worked as a link between the White House and the House of Representatives for the Biden administration. She worked alongside Reema Dodin, who was the link for the Senate.

In early 2023, Shuwanza briefly left the White House. She worked for a company called Cornerstone Government Affairs. But in July 2023, she returned to the White House. She was named the Director of the White House Office of Legislative Affairs. She took over from Louisa Terrell, who had been the director before her.

Personal Life

Shuwanza Goff lives in northern Virginia.