Public Policy and Research
Washington DC is the epicenter of public policy, foreign affairs, national political issues, and international relations, yet public policy disproportionately affects America’s (including DC's) minority citizens. As a result, DaQuan establishes and maintains effective relationships and partnerships with key international, national, and local grassroots stakeholders interested in systemic solutions for marginalized populations. With a decade of progressive experience in policy research and analysis, project and program development, non-profit management, project management, improving social outcomes for minority adolescents and young adults, civic engagement, and coalition building, DaQuan is dedicated to systems change work, serving marginalized populations, and developing underdeveloped communities.
Due to the current state of the global political economy, DaQuan is especially interested in improving economic and political conditions for African Americans and African nations. In the fall of 2020, DaQuan began a doctoral program at Howard University, the first institution in America to offer a PhD in African Studies, with plans of researching public policy and economic and international development in African states.
DaQuan's research interests include, but are not limited to: Southern and Western African states and languages, African-US relations, economic development, political development, and communications. His preliminary research interest include: (a) the social, political, and economic development of Africa's 54 states and regions, (b) economic and social development in Africa during the colonial era vs the post-colonial era, (c) African ownership of African land vs non-African ownership of African land, and (d) the potential of languages/linguistics to improve relations among the African diaspora.
DaQuan intends to work with international organizations on South African-European, US-South African, and US-Western African relations, public policy, and economic development in Africa. He is interested in learning from members of the African diaspora and leading international programs to connect African-American and African youth.
Health Policy and Racial Inequality Research
Since 2018, DaQuan has worked on health policy research related to substance use disorder, opioid use disorder, the Affordable Care Act, as well as Medicaid and Medicare. He has contributed to reports and briefs for members of Congress, foundations and philanthropic organizations, and international agencies. DaQuan has also worked on social and economic inequality research, and recently contributed to the development of a cultural competency toolkit for research and writing about African descendants (members of the African diaspora).
In 2015, DaQuan spent time working in Liberia with vulnerable women and ex-combatant youth on issues such as disaster risk reduction, urban poverty, and post-conflict and post-disaster recovery. He also provided technical assistance during the 2015 Ebola disaster response initiatives and investigations of urban communities in Monrovia and rural communities in Grand Gedeh County.
International Internet Policy Research and Advocacy
Immediately after completing his graduate studies, DaQuan spent time working for an international nongovernment organization on internet policy, where he worked with human rights defenders in Africa (the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda), Asia (India and Pakistan), the Middle East (Jordan), and South America (Argentina, Columbia, Mexico, Paraguay, and Peru).
"Torn at the Seam: Migration, Deportations, and Humanitarian Concerns on the Island of Hispaniola" is the final product of the Johns Hopkins SAIS 2016 Human Rights Clinic. The report focuses on the fallout of the Dominican Republic’s Law 169-14 and the Plan for the Regularization of Foreigners (PNRE) on the Haitian side of the border, including the reasons why any Haitians or Dominicans of Haitian descent fled, were deported or expulsed from the Dominican Republic (DR), as well as the conditions along the border and available support from the Haitian government, civil society, and international actors.
Through fieldwork and desk research, our team analyzed the issue, and the relevant international and domestic legal regimes, responses, policies, and programs from the government, international government organizations, private sector and civil society. The report aims to feature this research and make corresponding policy recommendations to the various actors involved. Our team was responsible for all stages of the project: refining the project proposal, identifying key stakeholders (government officials, IGOs, civil society, individuals, etc.), drafting research questions, arranging interviews and briefings, conducting background research on the issues in preparation for the fact-finding trip; participating in the fact-finding trip; outlining, drafting, editing and finalizing the report; and presenting the report to the SAIS Community, general public and media.
Additional Public Policy & Research Experience
Executive Summary: Leveraging Medicaid to Address Opioid and
Substance Use Disorders in Maine
Urban Institute, Washington DC
Leveraging Medicaid to Address Opioid and Substance Use Disorders in Maine:
Ten State Policy Options from an Expedited Review
Urban Institute, Washington DC
SAIS Legal Researcher and Orator
Philip C. Jessup 2016 International Law Moot Court Competition
Washington, DC
Graduate Student Researcher
SAIS International Law Department Indonesia Palm Oil Research Delegation
Jakarta and Medan, Indonesia
Communications Intern
NAACP Washington Bureau
Washington, DC
Research Assistant, World Health Organization and Johns Hopkins University
Global Early Adolescent Study (GEAS)
Baltimore, MD
Summer Strategies Research VISTA
Family League & National Summer Learning Association
AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America
Baltimore, MD
Legislative Intern
U.S. Congressman Elijah Cummings (MD-7)
Washington, DC
