National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) is an “organization of organizations,”
Comprised of over 350 campus and community-based sections and 37 national women’s organizations that enlightens, inspires, and connects more than 2 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.
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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 is the president and chief executive officer for National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) and brings 21 years of experience in healthcare, diversity, equity, & inclusion (DEII), government affairs, and executive leadership. She is also the founding principal and CEO of R.E.A.C.H. Beyond Solutions, a public health, advocacy, and executive leadership firm promoting DEI, political and organizational strategy, risk management, government affairs, and technical assistance.
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Prior to starting R.E.A.C.H., she served as senior advisor and director of external engagement during the Obama Administration in the Department of Health & Human Services for the 19th U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy. Before her tenure in the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General, at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) headquarters, Rev. Arline-Bradley served as the executive vice president of strategic planning & partnerships, as well as former chief of staff.
She is a community advocate serving in leadership capacity in the following organizations: Delta for Women for Action, NAACP Board of Directors Health Committee, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., National Social Action Commission, and Oprah Winfrey Network initiative “OWN Your Health.” In addition, she is an active member of American Public Health Association, Links, Inc., and Jack & Jill of America, Inc., just to name a few. Further in 2024, Rev. Arline-Bradley became the youngest to keynote the Martin Luther King, Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service, the world-renown annual celebration of Dr. King’s birthday, organized by the King Center.
A southern New Jersey native, she earned her undergraduate degree in exercise science and master’s in public health from Tulane University in New Orleans, La. She also graduated from the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University with a Master of Divinity, where she too became an ordained minister. Rev. Arline-Bradley completed an Executive Certificate of Business Management from Howard University and an Executive Certificate in Diversity & Inclusion from Cornell University.
Rev. Arline-Bradley is a lover of all-things sports, music, and an avid resort traveler. Most important to her are her faith and family, as she enjoys being a wife to 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
State Convener
Southern California
Ms. Donna Wood
President
Northern California
Ms. JoAnn P. Miller
State Convener
Connecticut
Ms. Tempress Solomon
State Coalition President
Florida
Dr. Darlene Ruffin-Alexander
State Coalition President
Georgia
Ms. Jacquelyn Heath Parker
State Convener
Illinois
Ms. S. Chanel Woods
State Convener
Indiana
Ms. Bonita Reed
State Coalition President
Mississippi
Ms. Queen Degraphenried
State Coalition President
North Carolina
Ms. Olivia V. Smith
State Convener
New Jersey
Ms. Johnnie M. Walker
Chair, State Conveners’ Team
New York
Ms. Lynda F. Bagley
Member, State Conveners’ Team
New York
Mrs. Evelyn Kinsey
Member, State Conveners’ Team
New York
Ms. Janice Taylor
State Coalition President
Ohio
Ms. Tameko Patterson
State Coalition President
Pennsylvania
Ms. Sarah Je Dean
Chair
Rocky Mountain Region Alliance
Ms. Ursula Gregg
State Mechanism President
South Carolina
Dr. Mollie Williams
State Convener
Texas
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
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 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
Portia
Reddick White
Vice President of Advocacy & Policy
Advocacy & Policy
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
Tonita
Perry
Chief Communications Officer
Communications
Erica
Southerland
Vice President of Public Affairs & Marketing
Communications
Sandra
Green
Graphics Designer
Communications
Ashante
Corey-Bey
Digital Content Specialist
Communications
Stacey
Crooks
Vice President of Development and Grants
Development
Faridah
Burnett
Donor Relations Manager
Development
Stephanie
West
Development 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