As Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC), the Reverend Leah Daughtry has the herculean and daunting task of overseeing preparations for this mega-event. The Convention will take place August 25-28 at the Pepsi Center.

Over 35,000 delegates, journalists and other media personnel, politicians and invited guests will descend on Denver, monopolizing hotels and becoming the center of attention in downtown Denver. The Denver Host Committee has projected $150 to $200 million in economic benefits for the metropolitan area.
However, there will be some inconveniences. The Auraria campus already has made changes in its fall schedule and will be closed during the convention and may be declared off-limits for non-delegates. The Department of Safety has warned that some streets may be blocked off.

The Convention has captured the public imagination and creative initiatives abound. More than 2,000 special events already are scheduled. Among them are a two-square block Hospitality Village behind Union Station; Mayor John Hickenlooper has announced 'Dialog-City' which will feature 10 art installation created by artists from around the world; and a community group will sponsor a Jazz and Blues Festival in historic Five Points. Even those activists who generally oppose the U.S. political establishment have created a role for themselves. Recreate '68 and Tent State University, two groups organizing issue-oriented demonstrations, contend that thousands of local and out-of-state protesters will participate.

A Year-Long Residency in Denver
Leah Daughtry's tranquil demeanor and amiable, yet serious countenance offer a welcome contrast to the frenzied buildup overtaking metropolitan Denver. She directs a staff of about 60, which will increase steadily over the summer, at DNC headquarters in the old Denver Post building.

The magnitude of the Democratic Convention demands that the CEO spend long periods of time here. "I've been in Denver since October of last year and will remain here until the fall," said the Brooklyn, New York native who has resided in Washington, D.C. for many years. "I like it here although I've had to adjust to the altitude," she said. "And then there's the weather," she continued amusedly, referring to the month of May's infamous alternation of wintry and spring days.
As CEO of the Convention, Daughtry is second only to Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Howard Dean. She retains her position as Chief of Staff of the Democratic National Committee, responsible for managing day-to-day strategy and operations of the national party. "Her strong guidance, skilled leadership and counsel have been invaluable to me during my tenure as DNC Chair and to the Democratic Party as a whole," said Howard Dean upon appointing her CEO last year.

The 44-year-old Daughtry has considerable experience in management and leadership including senior posts at the U.S. Department of Labor during the Clinton administration, Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Labor, Chief of Staff, and lastly, Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management. In this latter position she supervised the development of the Department's management programs and policies and was responsible for the Department's $35 billion budget.
She also served on the Clinton-Gore 1992 Transition Team, as Managing Director of the 1992 Democratic National Convention, and as Legislative Assistant to U.S. Congressman Edolphus Towns, who represents a Brooklyn district.
Although a temporary Denver resident, Daughtry spends many weekends in Washington, D.C. to be able to deliver sermons at The House of the Lord Church where she is pastor.

The confluence of religion and politics is controversial and many people in the United States oppose it. However, both have been present in Daughtry's life since birth. She is the eldest child of the Rev. Herbert Daughtry, longtime pastor of Brooklyn's House of the Lord Church and a very active member of New York City's civil rights leadership. His church has been the site of many community and political meetings and activities. The elder Rev. Daughtry has been very involved with Operation Breadbasket, a project of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr.
"At 80 years of age my father is still active," said Leah Daughtry. "He's going to the Sudan and Darfur on a humanitarian aid mission." She noted that her grandfather and great-grandfather were ministers as is one of her sisters.
Leah Daughtry grew up in Brooklyn and studied at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. After graduation, she worked in community projects before getting involved in politics. As Executive Director of Man-to-Man/Sister-to-Sister, a not-for-profit human service agency, she worked to enrich and enhance the lives of Brooklyn families. During that time she created a specialized mentoring program for girls with HIV-infected mothers.

Advisory Boards of which she is a part include Dartmouth College, the Randolph Evans Memorial Scholarship Fund (named for a 15 year-old African-American murdered by the New York City police in 1976), the network of House of the Lord Churches and the National AIDS Action Council.

Politics and Religion
A few years ago Daughtry says she answered God's calling and entered the ministry. Not long thereafter, the Democratic Party began to navigate the issue of religion and faith within the organization. She denies that there is a conflict and points out that there are many places in the Bible that speak to the legitimacy of involvement and action in the public arena. "God does not expect us to be just hearers and learners, but doers," she said. "The first book of Corinthians, verse 12 speaks of many kinds of spiritual gifts and various types of service." She also indicated that the actions of Jesus in the Temple constitute an example of action. "Salvation has many forms; it is not just for oneself," she continued. "God calls outside the Temple, not just inside."

Daughtry also clarified the concept of 'ministries'. "One does not have to be ordained to be involved in a ministry," she explained. "Ushering in a church is a form of ministry and also singing in the choir," she continued. "And activism in electoral politics is a type of action and is not in conflict with Faith."
The role of religion in the two elections of George Bush has caused many Democrats to rethink the issue of the role of religion in politics. "Everyone began to associate religion and faith with the Republican Party," said Daughtry. "The fact is that there are many people of Faith within the Democratic Party."
In 2005 Daughtry was a key figure in the creation of the Democratic Party's Faith In Action, essentially an outreach program to people of faith. She also reflected on the role of the Media. "Journalists only talk to Republicans about religion and faith. They assume that there is no need to talk to Democrats about religion because we have been seen as secular and without morals," she contended.

Daughtry would like to see what she calls the Faith community treated like the Hispanic, African-American, Jewish, and Asian communities. "The Faith community should be visible and consulted like other communities."
Regarding the various controversies in the current campaign including the lengthy contest between Clinton and Obama, she said that it is best to go through the entire primary process, allowing all states and territories to participate.
"The campaign is dynamic and inspiring and people are excited and obviously want something different for the future." 

"Our goal is to get Democrats back in the White House," she stated. "The next President will appoint about five Supreme Court Justices – who will have a significant impact on life in this country, she said.”We have to look beyond our lifetime and think about generations to come and what their lives will be like based on decisions we're making today."