A Conversation with Hope Goins, Minority Staff Director, House Committee on Homeland Security and Bestselling Children’s Author

Dear Minority Leaders,

Today I am excited and honored to speak with my good friend Hope E. Goins, Minority Staff Director of the House  Committee on Homeland Security and bestselling children’s author. 

Hope is the top advisor to Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie G. Thompson on all matters related to the oversight of the Department of Homeland Security and national security related matters throughout the Executive Branch, including counterterrorism, countering violent extremism, intelligence, cybersecurity, natural disasters and civil rights and civil liberties.  

Hope has been recognized by Roll Call and the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies for leading the most diverse staff in the United States Congress. 

With over 15 years of Capitol Hill experience, Hope has supervised the negotiation of key homeland security legislation. In 2021, Hope was tapped to be a senior advisor on the Select Committee on the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol. 

During our conversation, Hope discusses her experience being named staff director of her committee shortly after former president Trump was inaugurated and implemented his infamous Muslim ban. We discuss the challenges of bringing together a diverse staff during such a challenging and divisive time, as well as how the recent Speaker race results may further impact Congress, and why representation matters in our national security landscape. 

Hope is a powerful voice for people of color at the highest levels of U.S. policy making, always bringing our perspectives with her to the decision making table. As if that isn’t enough, Hope somehow found time to author a best selling children’s book, The Adventures of Chloe and Chris: The Three Branches of Government, that  demystifies the United States Government for children of color. My son Asa has a copy, so I can attest first hand to the powerful teaching tool the book offers. It can even teach us adults a few things! 

Hope is a board member of Our Village United, Black Women’s Congressional Alliance, and a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and The Links, Incorporated. 

I am honored to have Hope share her experience and wisdom with us today.