RALEIGH, N.C.  -- Najuma Thorpe has been tapped to lead the N.C. League of Municipalities’ new department of Communications and Member Relations.

Thorpe previously served as the public information officer for the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development in Washington, D.C. She also worked in similar capacities for the Transportation Federal Credit Union in Alexandria, Va., and for the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. Before that she worked with a private sector communications firm.

“Najuma will help fill our need to enhance our communications capabilities and is well suited for all responsibilities of this position,” said NCLM Executive Director S. Ellis Hankins.

Thorpe is a native of Butner, where her family still resides. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a double major in journalism and psychology (with a concentration in public relations), and has a Master’s degree in organizational communications from Bowie State University (Md.) and a Master’s in Business Administration from Strayer University in Washington, D.C.

The new department of Communications and Member Relations was created due to an NCLM re-organization at the beginning of the year. Within this department are communications, which was previously called public affairs; member relations, which was previously member services; and meeting planning.

Thorpe, as director of Communications and Member Relations, will manage the League’s branding and overall communications plans, legislative messaging, publications, member education; and training and marketing of the League’s three risk management trusts.

“I am excited to join the talented group of professionals at the League,” said Thorpe. “I look forward to working with the League staff and dedicated public servants throughout the state as we strive to achieve greater success for municipalities statewide and for the state as a whole. It is a privilege to be able to serve my home state in this capacity.”