Director of Research and Communications

Jon Black has more than a decade of expertise in research and communications, with a strong international business and diplomatic focus. His public and private sector experience covers many parts of the world including the Middle East, Asia, Latin America and Europe. Black brings a professional focus and personal passion to cross-cultural communications projects.

Since 2005, Black has operated Jon Black Consulting, a boutique communications and research firm offering high-end services to a variety of clients including Ambassadors, members of Congress and academic leaders. Black’s core services include speechwriting, ghostwriting, media relations, custom political and economic research as well as advisory services.

Previously, Black served for five years as the Director of Research and Speechwriter for the Texas Secretary of State’s Office, the agency responsible for international protocol and border relations as well as supervising elections within the state.

Prior to state service, Black worked as a newspaper journalist covering politics along the Texas-Mexico border. He began his professional life in the unusual venue of the South Korean Embassy in Cairo, serving as a special assistant and speechwriter for the Ambassador.

Black attended the University of North Texas at the early age of 15 where he conducted his undergraduate studies in political science and anthropology. He conducted his Graduate Studies at the American University in Cairo.

A writer by avocation as well as vocation, Black is also an internationally published music journalist. He resides in Austin, Texas, where he and his wife are active in the local music and film scenes.