BIRTHDAY OF THE DAY: Charisma Troiano, comms director for Democracy Forward
How/where are you celebrating your birthday and with whom? “Given the coronavirus era, I’m hosting a virtual dinner party this weekend with my husband and immediate family. Together, we’re making the same entrée, side and accompanying craft cocktail while chatting away on FaceTime. Cocktail attire is required.”
How did you get your start in your career? “I left a Manhattan law firm to become the legal editor for the (still publishing) Brooklyn Daily Eagle newspaper. After hosting a Brooklyn digital news show and a few appearances on WNBC, I had the privilege of serving as the press secretary for the late Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson -- the borough’s first Black DA and a true champion of criminal justice reform.”
What’s an interesting book/article you’re reading during coronavirus social distancing? And why? “In a book club of two, my sister and I just finished Philip K. Dick’s ‘Ubik.’ When madness is around you, true escapism can be found in the world of science fiction.”
What’s a trend going on in the U.S. or abroad that doesn’t get enough attention? “The Trump administration’s pervasive outsourcing of federal policymaking to shadow groups of outside advisers who are either industry executives or administration cronies in violation of the Federal Advisory Committee Act.”
How’s the Trump presidency going? “Even for this New Yorker, there aren’t enough swear words in the English language.”
What’s a fun fact that people in Washington might not know about you? “I’m one of 32 grandchildren, and I’ve lost count of how many great- and great-great-grandchildren there are. My mother is one of 12 children who immigrated from Guyana and settled in Brooklyn. In fact, we celebrated my grandmother’s 89th birthday this past week the only way one does these days: via Zoom.
*(Oh, and my father-in-law owns the Pines of Rome in Bethesda.)*”
