Nicole Avant presented her credentials as the 13th United States Ambassador to The Bahamas on October 22, 2009. The daughter of entertainment industry legend Clarence Avant and philanthropist, Jacqueline Avant, Ambassador Avant was exposed to and raised amidst a culture of music, philanthropy and political passion. Being influenced by world leaders and international cultural icons led her to become a leader in education, entertainment, politics and philanthropy. Ambassador Avant served as an Academic Counselor at the Neighborhood Academic Initiative, a University of Southern California mentorship program for high school students that provided full academic scholarships as well as daily guidance and direction in social behavior and social responsibility. Most recently, Ambassador Avant served as Vice President of Interior Music Publishing and Avant Garde Music Publishing (1998-2009) and was the Southern California Finance Co-Chairwoman of the Barack Obama Presidential Campaign