Racqueal Legerwood

Racqueal Legerwood is a currently able-bodied, Afro-Caribbean American millennial. A devoted spouse and parent, Racqueal is a class migrant that acknowledges some degree of socio-economic privilege as a US national working in the international space. Racqueal has no religious affiliation, but rather maintains a heart-centered approach to life.

Racqueal Legerwood is the project manager for Global Strategy development at Human Rights Watch. Previously the senior coordinator for the Asia division, Racqueal provided programmatic and operational support across 20+ country portfolios and directly supported the China director and Asia advocacy director based in Washington, DC. Racqueal has also dedicated significant time and focus to the organization's internal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion task force as a co-chair, believing strongly in the importance of ensuring Human Rights Watch is place where all can thrive and belong.

Prior to joining Human Rights Watch in 2018, Racqueal worked as the Executive Assistant for the Press division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles, and was a Gender, Trade and Development Cooperation Intern for UN Women, researching women’s empowerment opportunities in China-Africa trade. Racqueal holds Bachelor’s degrees in Chinese Studies and Government & Politics from the University of Maryland - College Park, a Master of Public Policy from the University of California - Los Angeles, and is currently pursuing an executive certificate in Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at Georgetown University.