United Negro College Fund Appoints First-Ever Black Board Chair

In a move that will have many thinking “what took you so long,” The United Negro College Fund has announced the election of its first-ever Black board chair — Milton H. Jones Jr., an Atlanta business executive and founding member of the private investment and consulting firm Peachtree Providence Partners.

Biba Adams of The Grio reported on the long-overdue appointment at the UNCF, 77-year-old institution “which has long been one of the premier organizations aimed at providing financial support for Black students attending Black colleges.”

Jones will succeed William F. Stasior Sr., retired Chairman and CEO of Booz Allen Hamilton, who served as UNCF’s Chair for 11 years. Previous Chairs of the UNCF board include John D. Rockefeller III; former Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo’s International Food and Beverage Division, Michael H. Jordan; and former Revlon President and CEO, Jack Stahl.

“In his role as UNCF chairman of the board, Jones will be charged with growing the endowment that benefits the 37 historically Black colleges and universities that belong to the UNCF network of member institutions,” Adams reported.

In a statement, Jones said that “since 1944, UNCF has played an integral role in changing the life trajectory for each student it has served, and l look forward to continuing that legacy.” He added that “our member institutions and students remain the focus of our collective efforts. As we progress each year, we will grow our organization by building upon the strong foundation laid at UNCF’s inception and strengthened throughout its history.”

UNCF President and CEO Michael L. Lomax said he has known and worked with Jones for over four decades and is thrilled to have him on the board.

“All of us at UNCF are excited to have Milton become our new Board Chair,” Lomax said. “Milton brings a wealth of business knowledge and a thoughtful and collaborative leadership approach that will help us thrive and continue to drive UNCF’s and our HBCUs’ impact and growth.”

In addition to his new role at UNCF, Adams reported that Jones is vice chairman of the Meharry Medical College Board of Trustees; is the treasurer and a board member of 100 Black Men of America; and is the co-chair of the Atlanta chapter of the National Association of Corporate Directors. Jones also serves on the advisory boards of the Metro Atlanta YMCA, Boy Scouts and the Commerce Club; is a member of the Downtown Atlanta Rotary Club; and is a member and past chairman of both The Atlanta Business League and 100 Black Men of Atlanta.

“At Peachtree Providence Partners, Jones advises and collaborates with CEOs in key sectors that include financial services, healthcare, technology, government and higher education,” Adams said. “Prior to that role, he was an executive at Bank of America for 32 years.”

 

Related: For more recent diversity and inclusion news, click here.

 

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