Kerman Maddox | Dakota Communications

Kerman Maddox is President and majority owner of K&R Hospitality, an ACDBE food and beverage concession business and Managing Partner of Dakota Communications, a strategic planning and communication consulting firm. Maddox was also a Strategic Advisor and Finance Chair for the Karen Bass Campaign for Mayor. He is currently a member of Mayor Bass’ Transition Team and serves on the Transition Team’s Small Business Committee. Maddox has recently been appointed by President Biden to serve on the White House Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations.

As the majority owner and Managing Partner of Dakota Communications, Kerman Maddox has extensive experience in strategic planning, media relations, government relations, public outreach, corporate community partnerships and political guidance. Maddox has worked with numerous elected officials, legislative and governmental agencies, business organizations, trade associations, academic institutions, and nonprofit groups. In addition, Maddox formerly served as the Chair of the Open Access Alliance, an organization dedicated to making the Internet available, affordable and accessible to consumers in low- income communities.

Maddox was an adjunct professor of Political Science at the University of Southern California and a full time Political Science professor for the Los Angeles Community College District. Maddox was an appointee to the Executive Committee of the Democratic National Committee by President Barack Obama.

Maddox is a graduate of Cal Poly Pomona, USC and the Coro Foundation's Leadership Training Institute. He is an active member at First AME Church Los Angeles where he received the church's Outstanding Community Service Award, the NAACP's Youth Council Mentor Award and the Greater Los Angeles African American Chambers Businessman of the Year award. Maddox is a member of the African American Alumni Association of the University of Southern California. Maddox has won two Emmy Awards from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and a Golden Mike Award from the Radio and Television News Association of Southern California. Maddox lives in Los Angeles and is married to Attorney Capri Maddox and they have one son.