Some of you may wonder, what exactly does a diplomat do? What is an ambassador’s role on a day to day basis?
Many students at ICSA are the sons or daughters of these inspiring people. For me, my mother is the US Ambassador to Cote d’ Ivoire. Learning more about her has made me realize the importance and magnitude of her job, and I know have a deeper appreciation for what she does.
The Start of an Era
Jessica Davis Ba grew up in Georgetown, Washington DC. This area used to be a black neighborhood, with houses over centuries old. It now happens to be one of the whitest neighborhoods. This happened due to redlining, therefore causing the black population in Georgetown to decline. It was 30% in 1930, and then went down to 9% by the 1960’s. Most people of color got driven out of their houses to accommodate white people. The goal was to make it a ‘safer neighborhood.’
Currently, there are only two black households in Georgetown. One was Jessica’s house and the other, a neighbor, Neville Waters, who is a Management & Program Analyst at DOB, Department of Buildings.
Coming from a black middle class family, her parents both worked as public workers. This shaped her goal of working for the people.
Growing up in the DMV, she was frequently exposed to government workers, and she enjoyed hearing about their international ventures.
She advises, “If you’re even thinking about it, give it a try… We need young people with their hopes and dreams to invest in how to build the bonds between each other.”
After graduating from a DC public high school, she didn’t go far from home, and continued her studies at the University of Pennsylvania for her undergraduate degree. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Environmental Studies, as well as a Master of Arts in Communication.
Years later, still in Pennsylvania, she earned her Master’s degree at Annenberg School for Communication.
First Hour on the Clock
Her entry into the foreign service was in Lagos, Nigeria.
“Lagos is one of those cities like New York, where they say, If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.”
Jessica Davis Ba
For many, a bustling city like Lagos is a challenging environment. But Jessica’s open mindedness made Lagos an ideal starting point for her diplomatic journey. This post increased her resilience and adaptability, which was an important milestone of her career.
Jessica’s career has had many memorable moments. But one memory that’s struck her the most was her swearing in as the US Ambassador to Cote D’ Ivoire. Surrounded by family and friends, she was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris. This honor showed her two decades of dedication to the flag. She spoke about the feeling of seeing lifelong friends, colleagues, and family all blending together in one place. Being an ambassador is more than just a job. It’s an opportunity where everything she learned could be put to use and shared with others.
“My hope is to leave a positive impact, to know that I made a difference in our relationship and in people’s lives.”
Love Through a Screen
Jessica is a mother of five boys, me included, and throughout her career, she had to balance between the demand of diplomacy and commitment to her family. She recalled times when her family couldn’t join her on a post of her like Baghdad, Iraq, where she lived for one year in the early 2000s.
While in Baghdad, her family was living in Nairobi, Kenya, and they had to find ways to connect. They had “virtual dinners,” to close the physical gap between them. The balance of personal and professional life in the diplomatic world is called the diplomatic dilemma. Though this balancing act was tough, she somehow made it work.
“Balancing family and diplomacy isn’t always easy, but I’m grateful for a family that supports me and helps keep us close, no matter where we are in the world.”
Young Democracy
While at her first post, she first handedly saw the power of diplomacy and the importance of democracy. Early in her career, she witnessed democratic movements in Guinea. Young leaders fought for their right to participate in the governance of their country. Experiences like this make her dedication to embracing inclusion and giving people a voice. A very important value that continues to shape her work as a diplomat.
“Democracy and inclusion are powerful forces for change. My job is to support those values and show that we’re here to listen and collaborate.”
Today, Jessica is focused on strengthening ties between the US and Cote d’Ivoire, with a mission centered on people and peace. Her goal is to achieve and deepen mutual respect and understanding between both nations.
As she said “be the best partner possible to the Ivorian people for the mutual benefit of the United States and Côte d’Ivoire.”
For those considering a career in diplomacy, Jessica advice is straight forward:
If you’re even thinking about it, give it a try… We need young people with their hopes and dreams to invest in how to build the bonds between each other.”
Her journey shows that a career in her diplomacy is more than a job. It’s an opportunity to shape the world for the better.
Audio Recording of the Interview
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