Johnnetta Cole
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One of the Most Powerful African American Women in the US, Director of the National Museum of African Art
Travels From
District of Columbia
Johnnetta Cole Speaker Biography
One of the most powerful well-regarded African American women in the US, Johnnetta B. Cole has a way with making history. She’s been the first female African American President of Spelman College, the first woman ever elected to the Board of Coca-Cola Enterprises, and the first African American woman to serve as Chair of the Board of United Way of America. In over 30 years in education, she has also served two US Presidents in leadership roles.
As a scholar, author, and activist for social and economic justice, Cole spearheads breakthrough thinking about diversity, leadership, and women’s issues. Now chairing the Johnnetta B. Cole Global Diversity & Inclusion Institute at Bennett College, she partners diversity with academic institutions, businesses, corporations, civic and community organizations, and government and global thought leaders.
An inspiring force, Cole rallies everyone to embrace diversity as not only a moral and social value, but as a compelling case for business. She encourages audiences to move beyond the status quo to fully take advantage of the innovative and profitable ideas that stem from a more diverse workforce, membership, and student body. Barriers are meant to be broken and success will follow notes Cole: "How much better our world would be if each of us respected difference until difference doesn't make any more difference." 901-754-9404.
Growing Up With Duality
Johnnetta Cole came from a family of means, one that was deeply involved in notions of faith and community service. But she lived in a society where she couldn't swim in the pool reserved for whites or visit the main library that bore her great grandfather's name in one of the branches, the A.L. Lewis Colored Branch. Despite her family's accolades, Cole lived in a society that challenged her very self-worth because of the color of her skin.
The Business Case for Diversity & Inclusion
The Case for Diversity & Inclusion in American Higher Education
Race, Gender, & Class in the Run for the American Presidency
Women & Leadership
Everybody Can Be a Philanthropist
