He was previously an associate dean for academics and law professor at Seton Hall University in New Jersey, as well as a political activist and campaign specialist.
Beginning in January 2007, Alexander served as a senior advisor to Barack Obama's presidential campaign.
Alexander is the son of Adele (Logan), an historian, and attorney Clifford Alexander Jr.(1933-2022) His family moved from New York City to Washington, DC when his father began public service during the John F. Kennedy administration.
His father also served under President Lyndon B. Johnson, and was appointed by the Jimmy Carter administration as the first African-American Secretary of the Army.
[2] In 2013, Alexander unsuccessfully challenged incumbent Nia Gill in the Democratic primary for the state senate position in New Jersey's 34th Legislative District.