Ashley D. Milton

I am a scholar, strategist, and editorial leader with deep expertise at the intersection of governance, public policy, technology ethics, and sustainable development across Africa and its global diaspora. I currently serve as a Member of the UNESCO AI Ethics Expert without Borders Network, a role I stepped into in May 2026, where I contribute to a global network of multidisciplinary experts advancing the responsible, ethical, and inclusive development of artificial intelligence. I provide expertise at the intersection of governance, public policy, institutional development, emerging technologies, and sustainable development with particular emphasis on Africa and the global African diaspora, and I advocate for human-centered, culturally responsive, and community-informed approaches to AI that address historical inequities while promoting transparency, accountability, and public trust.

Alongside this work, I serve as Editor in Chief of the State of the Africa Diaspora Report, a flagship research initiative examining the relationships between Africa and its global diaspora through the lenses of governance, economics, mobility, investment, education, technology, culture, and development. In this role, I lead the editorial vision, research coordination, stakeholder engagement, and publication strategy, overseeing a diverse network of contributors and producing evidence-based analysis and actionable recommendations that inform policy, investment, and institutional decision-making.

I am also an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, where I have taught since August 2022, guiding students through critical analyses of democratic institutions, governance systems, public policy, and civic engagement. I integrate comparative perspectives from Africa and the Caribbean into classroom discussions and mentor students in policy analysis, research methodologies, and public sector leadership.

I am the Managing Director and Chief Strategist of She Grows It™, a consultancy I founded in June 2017, where I guide private businesses, government, and nonprofit agencies on strategic planning, operational optimization, and public affairs management while empowering team members and cultivating strong relationships with key stakeholders through participation in conferences, summits, and pitching opportunities.

Earlier in my career, I served as Director of Marketing and Brand Development at AnoMansa Beach Resort and Landtours Ghana, where I played a key role in the development and launch of the only four-star beachfront resort in Ghana's Central Region, contributing to the property's naming, branding, positioning, visual identity, and market strategy.

Across my career in academia, strategic consulting, editorial leadership, and tourism development, my work has been driven by a commitment to advancing inclusive, equitable, and regenerative development across Africa and its diaspora. Whether I am shaping AI ethics policy, leading a flagship research initiative, teaching the next generation of civic leaders, or developing a tourism destination, I bring interdisciplinary expertise, strategic vision, and a deep dedication to building a more just and sustainable future.