As Senior Associate for Communications and Programs at the Aspen Institute’s Alliance for Social Trust, Oprah Cunningham helps shape the initiative’s communications strategy and digital presence, crafting narratives that strengthen civic trust and elevate community voices. With a background spanning civil rights, digital storytelling, and advocacy, she brings a thoughtful, equity-driven approach to every project she leads.
Before joining the Aspen Institute, Oprah advanced communications and digital campaigns at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, leading efforts on immigration advocacy, justice reform, and data equity. She also supported statewide campaigns at the New York Civil Liberties Union and led communications at Refugees Helping Refugees, amplifying immigrant and refugee stories and deepening community engagement.
Oprah is passionate about using storytelling as a bridge to translate complex policy into human-centered narratives that inspire understanding and connection across diverse audiences. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a minor in Sustainability from the University of Florida.
Outside of work, Oprah is an avid reader, movie fanatic and budding ceramicist who finds joy in shaping clay as a form of reflection and creativity. She also loves exploring new cuisines and neighborhoods, always in search of her next great meal or story.
