Dr. Tonya M. Matthews Named International African American Museum New CEO
The International African American Museum has found the final piece for the massive global project that will change the landscape of African American history and its curation. Seventeen months after breaking ground on the museum, its board of directors has selected as their CEO, Dr. Tonya M. Matthews. Dr. Matthews, an experienced executive, thought leader, and educator, has proven track records in organizational leadership, strategic planning, diversity and inclusion, program development, project management, and vast visitor, and community engagement initiatives. She is founder of The STEMinista Project, a ground-breaking, national initiative that inspires
Renee Montgomery Makes History in Purchasing WNBA’s Atlanta Dream
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Renee Montgomery, a two-time WNBA champion and vice president of the Atlanta Dream, has purchased a stake in the franchise and is now co-owner. Montgomery is the first retired player to own and serve as an executive of a WNBA team. The superstar and her two partners, Larry Gottesdiener and Suzanne Abair of Northland Investment Corp. take over the team that was once co-owned by former U.S. Sen. Kelley Loeffler (D-Ga.). “With the unanimous WNBA and NBA [board] votes, marks a new beginning
Kimberly Godwin named president of ABC News, first Black woman to lead a major broadcast news network
Courtesy of ABC News CBS executive Kimberly Godwin has been named the next president of ABC News, becoming the first Black woman to lead a major broadcast news network. She replaces James Goldston, who left the network last month after seven years in that role, and will start in early May. Godwin will oversee editorial and business operations for broadcast, digital, streaming and audio news across the organization, including the No. 1 programs "Good Morning America," "World News Tonight with David Muir" and "20/20," and the growing streaming channel ABC
High-Ranking Cincinnati Contractor Gains Ownership in Construction Company
James Watkins, president, and COO of TriVersity Construction is steadily making moves in all the right places — with his latest one netting him a minority ownership stake in the construction firm he leads at, the Cincinnati Business Courier reported. Watkins is now part-owner of the company, which solidifies even further its efforts to be more inclusive. On Tuesday, April 6, TriVersity Construction announced that Watkins made his purchase of minority stake in the firm, effective April 2, according to the article. CEO Mel Gravely II is the company’s
Boston Elects First Black Female Mayor
On Monday, March 22, Kim Janey was installed as Mayor of Boston in one of that very provincial and conservative city’s most historic political events in its history. Janey succeeds former mayor Marty Walsh, who resigned to serve as President Joe Biden’s labor secretary. Janey served as the Boston City Council president before taking the momentous step as acting mayor. She is expected to have a ceremonial swearing-in Wednesday, March 24.“History will be made tonight,” Walsh said earlier in the evening. “We’re an extremely diverse city from different backgrounds
NFL Hires First Black Woman Referee
By Stacy M. Brown Maia Chaka knows well that Women’s History Month is all about commemorating, observing, and celebrating the vital role of the fairer sex in American folklore. She just didn’t know she would become a part of that history. After years of officiating games in the Pac-12, Conference USA, and the NFL’s Officiating Development Program, Chaka will head to the NFL in the Fall. When she takes the field in September, the Norfolk State University graduate and health and physical education teacher will do so as the first Black
Executive Leadership Council Appoints Thasunda Brown Duckett as TIAA CEO
The Executive Leadership Council has released the following statements today regarding the appointment of Thasunda Brown Duckett as TIAA CEO. “On behalf of our more than 800 members, including our nearly 350 Black women executives, it is my great honor to congratulate ELC member Thasunda Brown Duckett on her historic appointment as CEO of TIAA. The Executive Leadership Council (ELC) commends TIAA’s inspired selection of a Black woman as its next CEO, who will succeed Roger Ferguson, who is also an ELC member. Ms. Duckett raises the bar
She Wins: Jennifer King Makes History as First NFL Black Female Assistant Coach
By Sherri Kolade Washington D.C.’s Washington’s Football Team did the thing recently by naming Jennifer King their assistant running backs coach for the 2021-2022 football season, according to an article from Essence Magazine. This hire resonated all the more because it made King the first Black female assistant in the NFL. King previously coached parts of three seasons as an intern, has a lengthy background working for the NFL, too. She was a participant in the NFL’s coaching clinics from 2015 to 2018, and she attended the NFL Women’s
Black Women Keep Something Brewing: Rosalind Brewer named new CEO of Walgreens
By Ashley Stevenson On March 15th, 2021 Rosalind Brewer will be named the new CEO of Fortune 500 Company, Walgreens. Brewer, currently COO of Starbucks and former CEO of Sam’s Club is a graduate of Cass Technical High School, located in Detroit, MI. She went on to graduate from Spelman and then Stanford Law School before becoming the first Black Woman to serve as Starbucks’ CEO and sit on the board of Amazon. In 2018, I had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Brewer during her address at the Sankofa
Black Woman Takes Over as Chief of U.S. Capitol Police
NNPA Newswire — Yogananda Pittman, a Morgan State graduate, takes over as acting Chief of the 2,300-member U.S. Capitol Police just one week after the violent insurrection desecrated American democracy. By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent A Black woman now has the task of restoring order at the U.S. Capitol. Yogananda Pittman, a Morgan State graduate, takes over as acting Chief of the 2,300-member U.S. Capitol Police just one week after the violent insurrection desecrated American democracy. The riot agitated by President Donald Trump on January 6 resulted