#BlackHistoryMonth™
Franklin D. Raines
Shout out to Franklin D. Raines—business executive and Rhodes Trust Scholar.
The son of two janitors, you rose to unprecedented heights to become the first Black CEO of a Fortune 500 company. As chairman of Fannie Mae, you led the charge to promote the advancement of Blacks and Latinx, and others from traditionally marginalized groups, as homeowners. You paved the way for other CEOs such as Ursula Burns, first Fortune 500 Black woman CEO, and Kenneth Chenault, eventual chairman and CEO of American Express.
A young man from modest means, you refused to be mired by mediocrity. Instead, you stayed the course, and remained hesitant to sacrifice long term interests for short term incentives. You have taught me and others how to put in the work and then trust the work. You are tautologically a brilliant genius, and a reason why my educational aspirational cement is not yet dry.
#BlackHistoryMonth™ #BHM
About Author
Mark Anthony Williams Jr.
PhD, MBA
Related posts
#BlackHistoryMonth™
Cheslie Kryst
Dear Cheslie, Just last month, I attempted to reach you, but was unsuccessful. It just doesn’t seem real. We’re now left to exist in a…
#BlackHistoryMonth™
Vivian Strong
Shout out to Vivian Strong. At 14-years of age, you dreamed of appearing on Omaha’s version of American Bandstand. Then your life was taken on…
#BlackHistoryMonth™
Wilmington Massacre of 1898
Shout out to the victims of the Wilmington Massacre of 1898. After a coup d’état on November 10, 1898—where a white mob of over 2,000…
#BlackHistoryMonth™
Kizzmekia Corbett
Shout out to Kizzmekia Corbett, PhD—viral immunologist. Your groundbreaking labor led the charge for the creation of the Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. You assisted with…
#BlackHistoryMonth™
Ella Baker
Shout out to Ella Baker—transcendent leader and civil rights activist. Before Stacey Abrams, it was you who presciently understood the power of grassroots organizing. You…
Comments are closed
Recent Comments