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Tiffany Cross & Will Hurd

Veteran journalist Tiffany D. Cross and White House insider Will Hurd combine their frameworks for bipartisan collaboration to discuss the best next steps for the U.S., paving a realistic path to a bright future. 

Celebrated journalist, bestselling author, and revered political analyst Tiffany D. Cross delivers every time in motivational, insightful, and thought-provoking events. A cable news veteran, Cross previously served as the D.C. Bureau Chief for BET Networks, an Associate Producer for CNN, and hosted MSNBC’s The Cross Connection. She co-founded The Beat DC, a platform that provides critical analysis of national politics, policy, business, and media, highlighting their impact on and relationship with communities of color. She is the bestselling author of Say It Louder: Black Voters, White Narratives, and Saving Our Democracy. An influential voice in the discourse of the moment, Cross is in-demand with groups including the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., the Society of Social Work Research, TriNet, Santa Cruz Nutritionals, Howard University, and more.

Cybersecurity expert, former Congressman and CIA officer, and author Will Hurd is a leading voice for bipartisanship, inclusivity, and finding unity in the face of divisive issues. While serving in Congress, Politico called Hurd “the Future of the GOP,” and he was renowned for his ability to put policy ahead of politics. Prior to his work in politics, Hurd served as an undercover officer in the CIA, honing an in-depth analysis of current national security concerns and the future of cybersecurity as the next domain of conflict. In his book, American Reboot: An Idealist’s Guide to Getting Big Things Done, Hurd provides a bold political playbook for today’s most pressing issues and a vision for leadership that is values-based and inspiring for audiences of all kinds.

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Tiffany D. Cross headshot

Tiffany D. Cross

EXCLUSIVE
  • Journalist and Former Host, MSNBC's 'The Cross Connection'
  • Author of Bestseller 'Say It Louder: Black Voters, White Narratives, and Saving Our Democracy' & 'Love, Me'
  • Resident Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics
  • Former DC Bureau Chief, BET News and Liaison to the Obama Administration, BET Networks

One of the most direct and in-demand interpreters of power, policy, and race today, Tiffany D. Cross brings clarity to the forces shaping politics and culture right now.

A journalist and bestselling author, Cross broke through as host of The Cross Connection on MSNBC, where her unfiltered analysis drew 4.6 million monthly viewers and consistently drove national conversation. She now co-hosts iHeartMedia’s Native Land Pod, which debuted as the number one downloaded podcast in America across all categories.

A 2020 fellow of Harvard University Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics, Cross has spent more than 20 years navigating politics, media, labor, communities of color, and the private sector. She is the bestselling author of Say It Louder: Black Voters, White Narratives, and Saving Our Democracy, which Kirkus Reviews hailed as “a compelling exploration of how Black voters have the power to shape the country's future.” In 2026, she released her latest book Love, Me: A Letter to Black Women in a Toxic Country, Career, and Relationship which Sonny Hostin praised as, "Thee Black woman’s story for this era." Cross regularly receives stellar feedback for her events, such as: ”Tiffany was superb. A joy to work with, engaging and fully invested in making the event a stand-out” (Robert Toigo Foundation Annual Gala) and ”The event was absolutely wonderful and well received! Tiffany Cross was outstanding and prolific.” (Society for Social Work Research)

As a speaker, Cross delivers a clear, incisive look at how power operates today. She helps audiences understand what is driving division, what is being missed, and what leaders need to know now.

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Will Hurd headshot

Will Hurd

EXCLUSIVE
  • Board Member: Icon Technologies, Personal.AI, the Center for European Policy Analysis, & the Council on Foreign Relations
  • U.S. Representative (R-TX) (2015 - 2021)
  • Former CIA Officer
  • Author of 'American Reboot: An Idealist's Guide to Getting Big Things Done'

The Honorable Will Hurd, a former CIA officer and congressman, has had a dynamic career spanning intelligence, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence policy, and public service. Currently serving as Chief Strategy Officer at the defense technology start-up CHAOS Industries and author of American Reboot: An Idealist’s Guide to Getting Big Things Done, Hurd brings a wealth of experience in technology, national security, and governance to his roles on various boards and his ongoing efforts to shape innovative policies for America's future.

Hurd is a leading voice for bipartisanship, inclusivity, and finding unity in the face of divisive issues. He helped build FusionX to combat cyber adversaries. While serving in Congress, Politico named Hurd “the Future of the GOP.” He was renowned for his ability to put policy ahead of politics – getting more substantive legislation signed into law in three terms than most lawmakers achieve in decades. Always forward-thinking, Hurd wrote the first national strategy on AI, held the first Congress hearing on AI, and published the first Presidential Plan for AI. As a presidential candidate for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, he introduced innovative AI and border policies. 

As renowned cybersecurity expert, Managing Director at Allen & Company, a board member of OpenAI, and a trustee of the German Marshall Fund, Hurd was at the center of technology, national security, and public policy. Offering insights informed by his time in the CIA and politics, Hurd helps organizations and individuals put threats into context and directs focus toward unifying strategies for policy, economic empowerment, and America’s technological future.

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Biography

Tiffany D. Cross's Biography

Tiffany D. Cross is a journalist, TV host, author, and international speaker.

Her MSNBC show, The Cross Connection, disrupted bleached media narratives and intentionally focused on the rising majority of the United States of America, bucking a landscape that was unwelcoming to a multi-ethnic demographic intent to operate on equal footing. Averaging 4.6 million viewers a month, audiences celebrated her unfiltered style routinely elevating her to the top ten topics across social media.

Tiffany went on to co-host iHeart’s Native Land Pod, which debuted in 2024 on Apple as the number one downloaded podcast in America across all categories, where she made complicated federal policy digestible and underreported foreign policy accessible. 

A 2020 fellow of Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics and proud member of the National Association of Black Journalists, Tiffany has covered both the Bush and Obama White House, the U.S. Congress, media diversity, and foreign policy. Tiffany also covered the intersection of missing persons and Black and Indigenous women helping to bring answers to dozens of desperate families whose stories were commonly ignored by legacy media outlets.

Tiffany is the recipient of various honors and awards including an honorary doctorate from Benedict College, an NAACP Image Award, a National Association of Black Journalists honor recipient, a Webby Award with LeBron James, and innumerable recognitions spanning a variety of sectors. As a globally sought after speaker, Tiffany is known for connecting American policy and the African diaspora across continents. Accepting invitations from both the public and private sectors, Tiffany has carried her expertise to Accra,
Ghana; Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire; Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo; Casablanca, Morocco; Paris, France; Tel Aviv, Israel; Los Cabos, Mexico; and all across the United States.

She harnessed her decades of experience in the release of her first best selling book, Say It Louder: Black Voters, White Narratives, and Saving Our Democracy. Her second book, Love Me: Our Toxic Relationship with Men, Media, and America, published in May 2026. Tiffany attended Clark Atlanta University where she studied Mass Communications with an emphasis on radio, TV, and film. Tiffany splits her time between Washington, D.C. and New York City. She loves dogs, especially pit bulls.

Will Hurd's Biography

The Honorable Will Hurd has had a dynamic career as an intelligence officer, cybersecurity professional, congressman, artificial intelligence policy pioneer, investment banker, presidential candidate, and C-suite executive. He currently serves as Chief Strategy Officer at defense technology firm CHAOS Industries and is the author of American Reboot: An Idealist Guide to Getting Big Things Done. Congressman Hurd is a member of the board at Icon Technologies, Personal.AI, the Center for European Policy Analysis, and the Council on Foreign Relations.

In his 20s, serving overseas in the CIA, Will prevented enemies from stealing our secrets, committing attacks on America, and smuggling dirty bombs into our country. In his 30s, at the strategic consulting firm Crumpton Group and cybersecurity firm FusionX, he helped defend critical infrastructure from sophisticated cyber threats. As a congressman, he worked to improve the quality of life for all Americans and safeguard our democratic institutions. In his 40s, through roles at Allen & Company (a New York investment bank), OpenAI (the makers of ChatGPT), and In-Q-Tel (the intelligence community’s venture capital firm), Will played a
leading role in shaping the intersection of technology, national security, and public policy. As a
presidential candidate, he introduced innovative artificial intelligence policies, border security
solutions, and strategies to compete with China. 

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