— 18 Groundbreaking Women Inducted into Inaugural Academy of Game Changers Include Major General Marcia Anderson, Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson, Media Trailblazer Paula Madison, Essence Magazine’s Vanessa Bush, Coca-Cola’s Dr. Shell Huang, and KeyCorp Executive Margot Copeland —
Atlanta, GA — Spelman College celebrated the impact and influence of women of color as global leaders during the 10th anniversary of its pre-eminent annual leadership and women of color conference by honoring exceptional women leaders, including retiring Spelman College professor Dr. Christine King Farris, Johnson Publishing Chairman Linda Johnson Rice and global women’s leadership advocate Hiroko Tatebe with Legacy of Leadership Awards. In addition, for the first time, 18 dynamic women were inducted into the Spelman Women of Color Conference inaugural Academy of Game Changers during the “Game Changers: A Decade of Success” Luncheon. The two-day event was held at the Georgia International Convention Center, May 14 -15, 2014, in Atlanta.
Jane E. Smith, Ed.D., Spelman College executive director of the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement highlighted her selection of this year’s Legacy of Leadership honorees. “We wanted to recognize Christine King Farris because of her 50-plus years of service to the Civil Rights Movement, to education of young women, and to her retirement from Spelman College,” said Smith. “Hiroko Tatebe’s focus on leadership development from a global perspective is a primary objective of the College, and we wanted to highlight her work in this area. We are recognizing Ebony and Linda Johnson Rice because the magazine has chronicled civil rights and women’s development in the workplace, and has handled that beautifully.”
A Game Changer is a 21st century leader who is powerful, forward-thinking and embraces her drive for excellence. Recognized for their exemplary leadership and commitment to creating positive change, Spelman College President Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum conferred Game Changer awards upon Rep. Stacey Abrams, U.S. Army Reserve Major General Marcia Anderson, social advocate Analisa Balares, Navajo Times Editor Candace Begody, The CW Network executive Traci Lynn Blackwell, Francisca Brown of American Family Insurance, Essence Editor-in-Chief Vanessa K. Bush, publishing executive Kimberly Casiano, strategic marketing expert Anna C. Catalano, KeyCorp executive Margot Copeland, JPMorgan Chase diversity executive Patricia David, Teneo Holdings’ Kimberly Davis, Coca-Cola’s Dr. Shell Huang, communications expert Sachi Koto, media mogul Paula Madison, public policy public relations leader Elizabeth Oliver-Farrow, Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce CEO Tisha Tallman, and Bank of America diversity executive Geri Thomas. The luncheon was hosted by author and Essence Editor-at-Large Mikki Taylor.
Thought leaders and industry influencers from business, public policy, media and education engaged in detailed discussions centered on the theme, Leading Forward, including NPR’s Michel Martin, Ebony Editor-in-Chief Mitzi Miller, policy expert and media pundit Michelle D. Bernard, media consultant Debra Langford, JPMorgan Chase Foundation President Dalila Wilson-Scott, Atlanta University Center Consortium CEO Dr. Sherry Turner, U.S. Dept. of Energy Director LaDoris “Dot” Harris, Georgia-Pacific corporate affairs executive Charmaine Ward, Coca-Cola executive Cathy Ramos, UPS Global Manager Estella Cramer, media brand expert Tai Beauchamp, and McDonald’s executives Sharlene Smith, Millie Vergara, Debbie Roberts, and Michele Bradley, among others. In an exclusive tweet-up session, Mikki Taylor also presented insights on topics such as work, relationships, spirituality, personal branding and style from her book “Commander In Chic: Every Woman’s Guide to Managing Her Style Like a First Lady.”
Sponsors, partners and contributors for the 10th Anniversary Spelman College Leadership and Women of Color Conference include UPS, American Family Insurance, Delta Air Lines, JPMorgan Chase, The Coca-Cola Company, Georgia Power, McDonald’s, The Bonner Office for Community Service & Student Development, AT&T, BNY Mellon, Chick-fil-A, Comcast Universal, AGL Resources, Cigna, Deloitte LLP, Georgia-Pacific, PNC Bank, Fox HBCU Media Alliance, Innovative Women’s HealthCare Solutions, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Bank of America and Wells Fargo, with media partners Essence, Johnson Publishing Company and KISS 104.1FM.
About Spelman College
Founded in 1881, Spelman College is a highly selective, liberal arts college widely recognized as the global leader in the education of women of African descent. Located in Atlanta, Ga., the college’s picturesque campus is home to 2,100 students. Outstanding alumnae include Children’s Defense Fund founder Marian Wright Edelman; Sam’s Club CEO Rosalind Brewer; JPMorgan Chase Foundation President Kimberly Davis; former acting Surgeon General and Spelman’s first alumna President Audrey Forbes Manley; Harvard University professor Evelyn Hammonds; author Pearl Cleage; and actress LaTanya Richardson Jackson. For more information, visit www.spelman.edu.
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