Johnnetta Cole

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."