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National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) is an “organization of organizations,”

comprised of close to 400 campus and community-based sections and 38 national women’s organizations that enlightens, inspires, and connects 3 million women and men. Its mission is to lead, advocate for, and empower women of African descent, their families and communities. It was founded in 1935 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, an influential educator and activist, and for forty years, the iconic Dr. Dorothy Height was president of NCNW.

Today, the NCNW programs are grounded on a foundation of critical concerns that are now “NCNW Priorities.” Our organization promotes education; encourages entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and economic stability; educates women about health and promotes healthcare access, and promotes civic engagement and advocates for sound public policy and social justice.

Dr. A. Lois Keith

National Chair

Dr. Keith is a Legacy Life Member and Bethune Achiever and has dedicated much of her life to NCNW’s mission. In 2016 at the NCNW’s 57th National Convention, she was honored to serve as co-chair of this event and she was elected to the position of National Vice President.

She has served as the National Membership Chair at the pleasure of both President’s Dr. Dorothy I. Height, and Ms. Ingrid Saunders Jones administration. In 2022, she was appointed to serve again as Vice President. Dr. Keith was a member of the NCNW Transition Team and was a co-chair of the 60th Biennial National Convention.

Dr. Keith has served as Executive Member-at-Large, member of the National Nominating Committee, member of the National Re-certification Committee, and National Assistant Secretary, co-chair of Membership and is a member of the President’s Circle. In her local DeKalb Section, she served as Chair of the Leadership Committee, President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary of the DeKalb Section and she is a charter member of the DeKalb Pacesetters Life Guild.

In addition to her service at NCNW, Dr. Keith is also a champion for equitable education. She is a graduate of Alabama A&M University where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education with a major in Mathematics and a minor in General Science. She received her Master’s in Middle School Education from Georgia State University and she also studied at Mercer University. She had a stellar teaching career with the Henry County School System for 30 years, in addition to serving as the Math Department Chair and Beta Club Sponsor. Her many accolades include Teacher of the Year 1991-92 and 2000-2001, nomination to Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, and the Principal’s Award 1995-1996.

Over the course of her expansive work in community service and education, Dr. Keith has received several awards and accolades including a proclamation from the State of Georgia for her service to NCNW and the community. In 2014, she was honored to have been the keynote speaker at the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony at the new and first public Dorothy I. Height Elementary School in the state of Georgia. In late 2014, the DeKalb Section honored Dr. Keith as the first recipient of the Lois Keith Trailblazer Award for Exemplary Community Service and award which was named in her honor. They also awarded her the Living the Legacy Award in 2014.

In 2018, Dr. Keith received a Hidden Figure Award and she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree from American Bible University. In 2020, she received the Vanguard Award of Excellence in Leadership Award from the National Women of Achievement, Inc., and on July 22, 2021, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Real Women Atlanta Magazine.

Dr. Keith is a member of the Georgia and Henry County Retired Educators Association where she served as President. She is a chartered member of the East Metro Orchids, where she served as the chartering secretary and is currently serving as 2nd Vice President. She is a member of Xi Beta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. where she serves as chaplain. Dr. Keith is an active member of the Move of God Church in Atlanta, Georgia.

She is a chartered member of the New Rock Chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction where she served as the chartering secretary, and she served as the Area IV NCNW Chair.

She and her late husband, Lonnie, enjoyed more than forty-nine wonderful years of marriage. They have one son, Darius.

Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley

President & CEO

Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley serves as the President and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), marking a historic milestone as the first person to hold this title in the organization’s history. Since taking the helm in March 2023, she has led a three-million-member network into a new era of political advocacy and generational growth.

Under her visionary leadership, the Council successfully hosted and executed the Washington, D.C. Freedom to Learn activation in partnership with African American Policy Forum, a massive mobilization dedicated to protecting Black history and educational equity against national censorship efforts. Central to her legacy is the creation of the Bethune Height Changemakers Pathways, NCNW signature program designed to bridge the gap between education and industry by providing mentorship and high-level career opportunities to collegiate Black women. Her presidency has also overseen a historic surge in youth engagement, with over one hundred active college campus sections established nationwide.

A sought-after voice on the global stage, she recently served as a featured speaker on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington, where she called for a renewed commitment to voting rights and economic justice. In January 2026, she delivered the keynote sermon at the Washington National Cathedral for their annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day commemoration, challenging the faith community to move from spectating to active participation in the fight for human rights.

August 2025, Rev. Arline-Bradley delivered a lecture at the Week Seven African American Heritage House Lecture at the prestigious Chautauqua Institute in New York. In January 2024, she was the youngest person to keynote the Martin Luther King, Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. Further in 2024, Rev. Arline-Bradley was one of 25 women to be named “Women Who Mean Business” by the Washington Business Journal, an honor bestowed upon women who are considered the most influential business leaders in the Greater Washington, D.C. area.

Prior to leading the council, she founded R.E.A.C.H. Beyond Solutions, a strategy firm that expanded the capacity of government, corporate, and non-profit partners. Her distinguished career includes serving as Senior Advisor and Director of External Engagement during the Obama Administration for the 19th U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy. She also spent six years at the NAACP headquarters, where she served as Executive Vice President of Strategic Planning and Partnerships as well as Chief of Staff.

Her community leadership extends to her roles as immediate past President and Chairman of Delta for Women in Action, Vice-Chair of the Health Advisory Board for the NAACP Board of Directors, and her work with the Oprah Winfrey Network initiative OWN Your Health. She is an active member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, The Links, Inc., and Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

A native of southern New Jersey, she earned her undergraduate degree and Master of Public Health from Tulane University. She also graduated from the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University with a Master of Divinity and was subsequently ordained. She completed executive certificates from both Howard University and Cornell University, in addition to holding two honorary doctorates. She is a lover of sports, music, and travel, and remains grounded by her faith and her family as the wife of Andrew Bradley and mother of two children.

Team Members

Name	Title
Dr. A. Lois Keith	Chair of the Board
Dr. Thelma T. Daley	Chair, Affiliates
Dr. Alotta E. Taylor	Vice-Chair; Chair, History Committee
Artis Hampshire-Cowan	Co-Chair, Human Resources
Emily M. Dickens	Co-Chair, Human Resources
Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner	Chaplain
Dr. Doreen Loury	Co-Chair, Social Justice Committee
Dr. Helena J. Johnson	Member-At-Large, Social Justice
Dr. Linda Hunt	Assistant Treasurer
Johnnie Walker	Vice Chair; Co-Chair, National Bethune/Height Recognition Program
Alicia Lewis	Chair, Bylaws Committee
Dr. Darlene Ruffin Alexander	Member-At-Large, Bylaws
Beverly Evans Smith	Co-Chair, International Affairs Committee
Chanelle Johnson	Vice Chair, YACA
Dawna Michelle Fields	Chair, National Bethune/Height Recognition Program
Deborah Tucker	Member-At-Large, Membership and Programs
Deborah W. Foster	Vice Chair and Vice Chair, Programs Committee
Diamond Butler	Assistant Recording Secretary
Rev. Dr. Angela Battle	Member-At-Large, Economic Empowerment
Gabrielle Rogers	YACA
Geralund “Gerry” Smith	Treasurer
Latisha Hazell	Member-At-Large, Resource Development
Dr. Kimberly Campbell	Member-At-Large, Programs
Kimberly Underdue	Co-Chair, Social Justice Committee
Leah D. Daughtry	Co-Chair, International Affairs Committee
Loretta Gray	Member-At-Large, Co-Chair, Membership
Loretta Tillery	Chair, Elections Committee
Rev. Dr. Michele Hagan	Chair, National Headquarters (Building) Committee
Paulette Norvel Lewis	Chair, Program Committee
Regina Majors	Co-Chair Membership
Roslyn Brock	Co-Chair, Resource Development
Vernette Moss	Member-At-Large, Programs
Tempress “Tee” Solomon	Vice Chair, Membership and Vice Chair, Affiliates
Theljewa Garrett	Parliamentarian
Willease Williams	Recording Secretary
Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley	President & CEO
The Honorable Alexis M. Herman	Senior Advisor to the Chair
The Honorable Constance B. Newman	Chair, Budget & Finance Committee
The Honorable Minyon Moore	Governance Committee
The Honorable Patricia W. Lattimore	Co-Chair, Resource Development Committee
Derrica Williams	Chair, Nominating Committee
Ariel Alford	YACA

State leaders are the coordinators of the NCNW Sections, Guilds and members within their state.

Their purpose is to convene the organizations and members together to work collectively on issues of concern to African American women, families and communities. State Organizations (including state coalitions, convener teams and state mechanisms) serve as the coordinating and convening body through which the resources, talents and skills of NCNW members in the state are channeled and focused for maximum impact.

Name	Position	State
Dr. Helena Johnson	President	Southern California State Coalition
Ms. Donna Wood	President	Northern California State Coalition
Ms. JoAnn P. Miller	President	Connecticut State Coalition
Ms. Gwendolyn Fields	State Coalition President	Florida State Coalition
Dr. Gloria Dodson	State President	Georgia State Coalition
Dr. Ramona James	Acting State President	Illinois State Coalition
Ms. S. Chanel Woods	State President	Indiana State Coalition
Crystal Lee	State President	Maryland State Coalition
MS. Victoria Sharpe	State President	Mississippi State Coalition
Ms. Mia Eley	State Coalition President	North Carolina State Coalition
Ms. Olivia V. Smith	State President	New Jersey State Coalition
Ms. Johnnie M. Walker	Chair, State Coalition Team	New York State Coalition
Ms. Lynda F. Bagley	Member, State Coalition Team	New York State Coalition
Mrs. Evelyn Kinsey	Member, State Coalition Team	New York State Coalition
Ms. Janice Taylor	State President	Ohio State Coalition
Ms. Tameko Patterson	State President	Pennsylvania State Coalition
Ms. Sarah Je Dean	Chair	Rocky Mountain Coalition
Ms. Ursula Gregg	State President	South Carolina State Coalition
Dr. Mollie Williams	State President	Texas State Coalition
Cypriana McCray	Chair, State Organizing Committee	Virginia State Coalition
Synovia Moss	State President	Wisconsin State Coalition

YACA Leadership

The Committee on Youth, Young Adult & Collegiate Affairs (YYACA) is a standing committee led by appointed committee chairs to further enhance and extend the impact of the collegiate, young adult, and youth members of NCNW. The committee members include young adult members (ages 25-39), collegiate section members, and youth section leaders (12-18) representing the West, Southwest, Midwest/Central, Southeast, and Northeast Regions. Through innovative training, webinars, programs and mentorship opportunities, the committee ensures that all group members are actively engaged and prepared to transition into leadership roles. YYACA is dedicated to the mission of NCNW with a particular focus on the development and advancement of its future leaders.</span

Purpose:

To provide strategic planning and initiatives for inclusion of youth, young adult and collegiate members within the organization, and participation in planning national events and programs.

Objectives:

To implement strategies aimed at attracting, engaging, recruiting, and retaining our youth, young adults in NCNW, and collegiate transition to community-based sections.

To ensure intergenerational growth, participation and organizational longevity.

Gabrielle Rogers – Chair, Young Adult Liaison
Chanelle Johnson – Vice Chair, Youth Liaison
Ariel Alford – Vice Chair, Collegiate Liaison
Nancy Augustin – Florida A&M, STEAM & Education Lead
Kaadiana Barnes-Padilla – Manhattan
Tiffany Bryant – Delaware Valley
Jailyn Burks – Univ. of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Carys Carr – Metropolitan Women’s Network
Temera Cowsette – Delaware State
Kennedy Deveaux – Georgia State, Collegiate President Advisor
Samauria Eason – Xula
Iyanah Forbes – Florida A&M, Social Justice Lead
Diandra Grinage – Manhattan
Jasmine Hamilton – Lorain County
Zanobia Ibrahim-Watkins – Athens Westmont
Charli Jackson – Clark Atlanta
Iraca Jackson – Xula
Tiasia Jones – Morgan State
Jasmine Jones-Howard – Morgan State
Victoria Juste-Henry – Brooklyn, Leadership Pathway Co-Lead
Te’ara Marshall – GA Southern, Training & Compliance Co-Lead
Kendall McClammy – N.Carolina Central
Sherelle McQueen – Kean, Branding & Culture Lead
Makayla Mitchell – Greater Atlanta
Kyli Ross – Morgan State, Health Equity Lead
Nikita Singletary – Co-op City, Leadership Pathway Co-Lead
Frantzcesca Sterlin – Brooklyn
Alliyah Talton – N.Carolina A&T
Ashley E. Tanksley – Detroit
Asia Tilghman – Lincoln Univ. of PA
Justine Wallace – Spelman
Kehniah Watts – N.Carolina A&T, Economic Empowerment & Entrepreneurship Lead
Taylor N. Weathers – Chicago Central, Training & Compliance Co-Lead
Iyla Wood – Clark Atlanta, Recording Secretary

For more information contact: yaca@ncnw.org.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated

American Federation of Teachers

Auxiliary of the National Medical Association

Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Incorporated

Chums, Incorporated

Continental Societies, Incorporated

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated

Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated

Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc.

Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Incorporated

Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated

Ladies Auxiliary, Knights of Peter Claver

Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority Las Amigas, Incorporated

Les Gemmes, Incorporated

Mocha Moms, Inc.

National Association of Black Social Workers

National Assoc. of Negro Business & Prof. Women’s Clubs

National Association of University Women

National Bar Association, Women Lawyers Division

National Black Nurses Association, Incorporated

National Coalition of 100 Black Women

National Coalition on Black Civic Participation

National Delicados, Incorporated

National Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Star, National Supreme Council

National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Incorporated

National Women of Achievement, Incorporated

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated

Swing Phi Swing, Social Fellowship, Incorporated

Tau Gamma Delta Sorority, Incorporated

The Charmettes, Incorporated

The House of the Lord Churches, National Department of Women’s Work

The Links, Incorporated and Links Foundation, Incorporated

Top Ladies of Distinction, Incorporated

Women’s Home & Overseas Missionary Society, AME Zion Church

Women’s Missionary Council, CME Church

Women’s Missionary Society, AME Church

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated

First Name	Last Name	Title	Department
Ja’Lia	Taylor	Director of Policy, Telecommunications & Technology	Advocacy & Policy
Tyese	Williams	Advocacy & Policy Manager	Advocacy & Policy
Micah	Jumpp	State Advocacy & Policy Manager	Advocacy & Policy
Brashanda	McCoy	Government Relations Coordinator	Advocacy & Policy
Monique	Pressley	Communications Strategic Consultant	Communications
Ashante	Corey-Bey	Digital Content Specialist	Communications
Kristie	King	Development Strategist	Development
Faridah	Burnett	Donor Relations Manager	Development
Shavon	Arline-Bradley	President and CEO	Executive Office
Lisa	Hargrove	Chief of Staff	Executive Office
Parys	Grigsby	Director of Executive Operations	Executive Office
Noel	Bernard	Director of Security Operations	Executive Office
Lauren	Dew	Senior Executive Assistant to President and CEO	Executive Office
Winnie	Thompson	Senior Executive Assistant to the Chair of the Board	Executive Office
Dalmyra	Caesar	Vice President of Human Resources and Operations	Human Resources
Paula	Young	Human Resources Generalist	Human Resources
Mareco	Edwards	General Counsel	Legal
Tiffany	Royster	Associate Counsel	Legal
John	Wallace	Legal and Compliance Manager	Legal
David	Glenn	Vice President of Membership	Membership
Danielle	Tyson	Membership Manager	Membership
Yolanda	Sutton	Membership Coordinator	Membership
Robin	Smith	Membership Operations Coordinator	Membership
Jonathan	Townes	Operations Manager	Operations
LaTarsha	Small	Finance Specialist	Operations
Jade	Walker	Data Evaluation Specialist	Operations
Halima	Adenegan	Director of Leadership Programs	Programs
Afia	Williams	Senior Program Manager	Programs