Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.”

― Shirley Chisholm

Charlyn Stanberry, Esquire


Charlyn Stanberry is a prominent figure and expert in public policy and advocacy, serving as Vice President of Government Relations at the National Association of Broadcasters. In this role, she influences media policy and represents the industry on Capitol Hill and within the Executive Branch. She also enriches the academic field as an Adjunct Professor at Florida International University, where she teaches federal advocacy and policy.

Charlyn is active in professional organizations such as the Junior League of Washington and National Bar Association, where she promotes servant leadership and social justice. Her educational credentials include a Juris Doctorate from Florida International University- College of Law, as well as a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from the University of Central Florida.

ABOUT CHARLYN

Professional Leadership

Charlyn Stanberry, Esq., is a seasoned advocate and policy expert, currently serving as Vice President of Government Relations at the National Association of Broadcasters. With a keen understanding of the legislative landscape, she shapes critical media policies and represents the industry before Congress and the Executive Branch. Her strategic leadership has been pivotal in advancing the interests of broadcasters across the nation. In addition, Charlyn serves on the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) Corporate Advisory Council helping to advise the CBCF’s Board of Directors on policy, special initiatives, and leadership development.

Academic Contributions

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Charlyn is dedicated to shaping the minds of future leaders as an Adjunct Professor at Florida International University. Through her courses, she provides students with invaluable insights into federal advocacy and the dynamics of Washington, DC. Her commitment to education ensures that the next generation is well-prepared to navigate the complexities of public policy and leadership.


Community & Professional Service

Charlyn’s dedication to service extends beyond her career. She has been actively involved in various professional organizations, including the National Bar Association, American Bar Association, and Public Affairs Council. Her roles in these organizations have allowed her to advocate for diversity and inclusion within the legal profession and beyond. Additionally, Charlyn has served on multiple advisory boards, contributing her expertise to initiatives that promote justice and equity. Locally, she is very active in her local bar associations including the Washington Bar Association and the Greater Washington Area Chapter, Women Lawyers Division of the National Bar Association (GWAC.)

Educational Foundation

Charlyn's robust educational background has been the cornerstone of her career. She earned her Juris Doctorate from Florida International University College of Law and holds a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from the University of Central Florida. Her rich educational foundation has equipped her with the tools to excel in both legal practice and strategic policy development.

Previous Professional Experience

U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09)
Chief of Staff (2018-2021) | Legislative Director and Counsel (2017-2018)

The University of the District of Columbia
Adjunct Professor (2018-2021)

Net Communications
Vice President of External Affairs (2015-2017)

Florida Democratic Party and Hillary for America Campaign
Regional Voter Protection Director (2016)

Montgomery College
Part-time Faculty (2015-2016)

Multicultural Media, Telecom, and Internet Council (MMTC)
Staff Counsel and Cathy Hughes Fellow (2014-2015)

Congressional Black Caucus (CBC)
Professional Staff and Legal Fellow (2013-2014)

Miami Children’s Hospital
Ethics and Compliance | Legal Affairs Extern (2012-2013)

National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA)
Southern Regional Chair and Attorney General (2011-2013)

State Farm Insurance
Personal Injury Claims Representative (2008-2010)


Honors, Awards, & Achievements

The Hill
Top Lobbyists List (2024, 2023, 2022)

National Black Law Students Association
Woman in Leadership Award (2024)

Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc.
Inaugural 40 Under 40 Award (2024)

National Bar Association
President’s Award (2024, 2023, 2021)

Leadership Greater Washington
Signature Program Graduate (2024)

American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
On the Rise Top 40 Young Lawyers (2023)

Lawyers of Color
Top Lobbyists and Influencers (2023, 2022, 2021)

National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics
Top Lobbyists List (2022)

Southern Region of the National Black Law Students Association
Hall of Fame Inductee (2022)

National Bar Association, Women Lawyers Division
Outstanding Woman Lawyer in Politics (2021)

ICON Talks
Visionary Award (2021)

National Bar Association
40 Under 40 Nation’s Best Advocates Award (2020)

Women in Government Relations
Public Sector Award of Excellence (2020)

Washington Bar Association
Lawyer of the Year (2020)

Lawyers of Color
Dynamic Hill Staffers (2020, 2019, 2018)

GWAC Bar Association
Rising Star Award (2018)

Black Women’s Congressional Alliance
Rising Star Award (2018)

National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women
Leadership Summit (2017)

Junior League of Washington
Peer Award (2016)

National Black Law Students Association
Alumni of the Year (2015)

FAMILY & FOUNDATION


Charlyn Stanberry proudly represents the sixth generation of her family's deep roots in Jacksonville, Florida. Her heritage is enriched by her connection to the Gullah-Geechee people, descendants of West and Central Africans who were brought to the southeastern United States as slaves. Her family’s legacy is intertwined with the resilience and cultural richness of the Gullah-Geechee community, whose traditions and history have been preserved and passed down through generations in the coastal regions of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.

“In the heart of Jacksonville, FL, where stories of legal pioneers like James Weldon Johnson, Constance Baker Motley, and Thurgood Marshall resonated through the air, my journey began. Rooted in the rich soil of civil rights and Black empowerment, my great-grandmother planted seeds within me in what would later blossom into my life’s work: law, civil rights and helping to strengthen the Black legal community.”

- Charlyn Stanberry