Cheryl Porter Shatters Glass Ceilings as First Black Woman President of AWWA
Cheryl Porter, a trailblazer in every sense of the word, is now leading the charge for the American Water Works Association (AWWA) as its President. Her election is historic, marking the first time an African American and a woman of color has held the top board position in the organization’s 143-year history. As the Chief Operating Officer of Water and Field Services for the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), Porter’s ascent to this role signifies a monumental step forward, not just for the AWWA, but for the
Lorraine Cochran-Johnson Can Make History as First Black Woman To Be Elected DeKalb CEO
Lorraine Cochran-Johnson's desire to provoke change has led her to the cusp of making history. If elected on June 18, Cochran-Johnson will become the first Black woman to serve as DeKalb CEO. Residents of DeKalb County will begin early voting for the primary run-off election today. However, Cochran-Johnson's journey into politics was not linear. She was once a leading figure in Atlanta media, working at publications such as Creative Loafing and serving as general manager of Atlanta Daily World. But after being impacted personally by crime, she knew that
Meet Opal Lee — The Woman Who Fought To Make Juneteenth a U.S. Holiday
On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed a bill into law officially making Juneteenth a federal holiday. The push to get the historic day recognized at the federal level had been decades in the making, and 94-year-old Opal Lee, known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” had championed efforts for years. Lee told NPR that the wait for Juneteenth being a US holiday has been 155 years 11 months and 28 days in the making. “And now we can all finally celebrate. The whole country together,” Lee said after
Jahmal Cole: Transforming Chicago’s Neighborhoods One Block at a Time
By Courtney Alexander Chicago native and trailblazer Jahmal Cole discussed the adversities in his life that inspired his activism journey, revitalizing Black communities in Chicago, and his social impact organization, which transforms and renews the lives of the youth and elderly. The mission statement of the notable Chicagoland non-profit organization My, Block, My Hood, My City is to inspire the youth, empower communities, and build a better world one block at a time. My Block, My Hood, My City is a social impact organization founded in 2013 by Jahmal Cole,
Black C-Suite Execs Are Persisting Despite Corporate DEI Rollbacks
Historically marginalized in top-tier executive roles, Black individuals are now making significant strides, breaking through barriers and reshaping the narrative of corporate America. While there are only a handful of Black CEOs at Fortune 500 companies, there has been a marked increase in other C-level positions within these organizations. This surge in Black C-suite leadership not only reflects progress toward diversity and inclusion but also underscores the immense talent and potential within the Black community. The killing of George Floyd and the subsequent social justice movement served as
Roy Scott of Healthy Hip Hop Address Youth Mental Health with Headstream 2024[Listen]
Young people are struggling with mental health issues at an unprecedented rate. Coupled with the protracted years of war, school shootings and the pandemic, as well as unbridled access to the internet, young people are taking their lives and suffering mental health maladies in numbers the nation has never witnessed before. Headstream Accelerator, an innovation program that works to improve the mental well-being of adolescents within systematically excluded communities is providing unprecedented financial support in a raging race to get ahead of the curve and identify young people
See the Black Leaders Shaping Cleveland in ‘Who’s Who In Black 2024’
Mayor Justin Bibb to Pen Introduction for "Who's Who In Black Cleveland" Mayor Justin Bibb has been selected to write the introduction for this year's edition of Who's Who In Black Cleveland. The annual publication, which celebrates the accomplishments and contributions of African American leaders in the Cleveland area, is known for its dedication to highlighting the city's vibrant and influential Black community. Since taking office, Mayor Bibb has been a transformative figure in Cleveland, bringing fresh energy and innovative ideas to the city's leadership. His focus on social
Suzanne Shank’s Commitment to Black Women Was on Full Display at the Mackinac Policy Conference
“Don’t settle for average. Bring your best to the moment. Then, whether it fails or succeeds, at least you know you gave all you had. We need to live the best that’s in us.” – Angela Bassett The 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference was a watershed moment in Michigan’s political landscape, and the conference chair, Suzanne Shank – President, CEO, and Co-Founder of the largest Black-owned full-service investment banking firm – was the driving force behind so much of its success. Shank, a renowned business leader and advocate for diversity
Carlton Collins at the Forefront for Police Reform in Cincinnati
The Heights Movement Continues Advocacy Efforts to Relocate Cincinnati Police Department Gun Range from Lincoln Heights Carlton R. Collins, an esteemed historian, entrepreneur, activist, and co-founder of The Heights Movement, is leading the charge for change in Lincoln Heights, Ohio. As the first Black-incorporated city in America and the oldest Black-operated municipality north of the Mason-Dixon line, Lincoln Heights boasts a rich history of resilience and community empowerment. The Heights Movement, a 501c3 organization dedicated to economic development, education, and public health in Lincoln Heights, has been at the
Rev. Cornell Jones Receives Inaugural Fred Rogers Institute Award
The people who everyone gives up on are the ones who I’m drawn to.’ When you do good, it seems like good always comes back to you. Andrea Flack-Wetherald could have just let the deadline pass. She could have just turned on the TV, or scrolled through Facebook. Instead, she was determined to fill out a number of questions and even create and submit a video about how much Rev. Cornell Jones deserves the inaugural Fred Rogers Institute Helper Award. Flack-Wetherald, who no longer lives in Pittsburgh, described how, when she