NBMBAA - Atlanta Chapter Presents: 2022 Black Men's Leadership Summit

Our 2022 Black Men's Leadership Summit is to empower Black men by providing insights on how to navigate organizational inequities, build career networks, take professional risks, prioritize health, and establish a legacy. We have a great panel of exceptional Black leaders across multiple industries in addition to you being there to raise the bar of networking and connecting.

TICKETS ARE LIMITED - GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

SCHEDULE:

• OBJECTIVE: To empower Black men by providing insights on how to navigate organizational inequities, build career networks, take professional risks, prioritize health, and establish a legacy.
• 5:30 - 6:00PM: Networking & Connecting
• 6:00 - 6:10PM: NHQ Welcome Remarks
• 6:10P - 6:15PM: Moderator Introduction
• 6:15 - 6:25PM: Panel Introduction
• 6:25 - 6:35PM: The Power of Risk & Your Next Opportunity / James Anderson, Head of Communications, CNN Worldwide - Warner Bros Discovery
• 6:35 - 6:45PM: Mental Health & Wellness / Sean Lee - Global Vice President, Global Operations & Workplace Services - The Coca-Cola Company
• 6:45 - 6:55PM: The State of Being Black in Corporate America / Ronald Brown, Vice President, Community Impact - Target
• 6:55 - 7:05PM: The Importance of Mentors & Sponsors / Steve Brooks, Vice President, C&T Procurement - IHG
• 7:05 - 7:15PM: Leading & Establishing Your Legacy / Dr. Kofi Smith, CEO - Keystone Management
• 7:15 - 7:25PM: BREAK
• 7:25 - 7:50PM: Q&A
• 7:50 - 8:00PM: Closing Remarks / Travis Townsend, President - NBMBAA - Atlanta Chapter

SPEAKER BIO'S:

JAMES ANDERSON

A veteran communications executive in media and entertainment, James L. Anderson, has been generating conversations and watercooler moments within the TV and media landscape for 30 years. Creating strategic thought-leadership with game changing executives, buzz with A-list talent or managing a crisis, is what Anderson has become known for within the industry.

Anderson is currently the interim head of communications for CNN Worldwide. As a member of the senior leadership team, Anderson leads a team of global communications professionals and has executive oversight of media and talent relations, events, and internal communications.

He most recently was the head of corporate communications and marketing for WarnerMedia (now WarnerBros. Discovery) one of the most powerful portfolios of iconic global media brands.

Prior to that, Anderson was senior vice president, communications for Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Boomerang, and TCM, serving as the chief spokesperson and advisor to the president. During his career, he has also had communications oversight of sports brands such Turner Sports and has supervised the media campaigns of more than fifty television series including, That ‘70s Show, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Roseanne, A Different World, The Cosby Show, The Powerpuff Girls, The Boondocks, Adventure Time, Rick and Morty, and Steven Universe.

Anderson was senior vice president of public relations and publicity for Carsey-Werner, the powerhouse independent production company that had cultural-defining moments through popular television shows. Overseeing talent and community relations, he built an in-house communications department to execute the media strategies and positioning of the company’s domestic and international growth.

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Anderson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre at Denison University in Granville, Ohio where he is currently on the Board of Trustees. He’s a graduate of The John E. Anderson School of Management at UCLA in partnership with the NAMIC (National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications) Executive Leadership Development Program. He is also active in the creative and business communities, serving on the Boards of the Tony Award-winning Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, the SIFMA (Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association) Foundation, The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival and NAMIC where he champions inclusion and advocates for representation in the communications industry.

Anderson was also on the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Board of Governors where he chaired the Emmy Show Committee. He is the recipient of NAMIC’s prestigious Mae Douglass award for mentoring and leadership and was lauded as one of the industry’s most influential executives by Multichannel News Magazine.

He currently resides in Atlanta, GA.

SEAN LEE

Sean Lee currently serves as global vice president, The Coca-Cola Company, leading the Global Operations and Workplace Services team for Platform Services. The business unit is comprised of operations teams spanning 300 worldwide facilities, corporate aviation, real estate, The Coca-Cola Credit Union, and corporate travel among other areas. He brings more than 25 years of global operations and executive experiences from both military and Fortune 100 companies. Additionally, he currently serves on the board of directors of the Coca-Cola Federal Credit Union, New England Air Museum, and the National Business Aviation Association.

Lee began his career as a United States Air Force Officer. He advanced to the rank of major and was honorably discharged after 10 years of active-duty service. During his tenure, he flew multiple combat missions and participated, trained, and led multiple global multinational operations. Post military service, he held multiple leadership positions with Hewlett Packard, MassMutual Financial Group, and The Coca-Cola Company.

Lee is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy with a bachelor’s in general sciences/physics, as well as the USAF Russian Language Area Studies Immersion Program at the University of St. Petersburg in Russia. He has completed certificate courses in Aviation Safety & Security with the University of Southern California and the DoD/FAA Advanced Instrument School. Finally, he earned an MBA in management from Emory University in Atlanta.

RONALD BROWN

Ronald Brown is the vice president of community impact at Target. In his role, he directly leads Target’s efforts to develop and implement community-driven solutions and philanthropic strategies that drive the company’s community impact. .

Ron joined Target in 2006 and has held numerous leadership positions within the company’s stores organization. He joined the CR Team in January 2022.

Born and raised in Florida, Ron enjoys serving as a community liaison while building an engaged, purpose-driven culture that delivers long-term, sustainable business strategies and community relationships. He is passionate about community service and served as a member of Target's pro bono leadership team. In addition, he helped create Target’s “The Great Giftogether,” where Target store teams across the country spread holiday cheer by providing gifts to families in need. He also played an integral role in establishing an Election Judges campaign in his region, an initiative through which Target team members were encouraged to register as elections judges, as well as vote.

He resides in Atlanta, GA with his wife and two sons and serves as a board member for the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.

Ron received his dual bachelor’s degrees in business administration management and marketing from the University of North Florida.

STEVE BROOKS

TBD

DR. KOFI SMITH

Dr. Smith served as President & CEO of the Atlanta Airlines Terminal Company (AATC) from 2010 to December 2020; leading the strategic direction and management of all building operations and facility maintenance responsibilities for the World’s Most Traveled Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. He managed more than $945 million in operations and approximately $650 million in capital improvement projects during his airport tenure. He grew AATC’s employee base by 114%, creating more positions and employment opportunities for Atlanta residents. AATC was recognized as one of the Top 20 “Best Places to Work” in Atlanta by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. In 2021, Dr. Smith launched his own company, Keystone Management, LLC. He currently has operations in four cities across four different states. Dr. Smith spearheaded an electrical curtailment project that saved the airport $903K annually through perpetuity. He also delivered energy savings to his shareholders’ bottom-line of $12.3M in just 4-years ($4.6M on-going through perpetuity) and to the airport a 21% reduction in pounds of CO2-eq (CO2 equivalent).

Dr. Smith is a graduate of Leadership Georgia, Leadership Atlanta and the Regional Leadership Institute. He serves as Chair to the of Goodwill of North Georgia Board and the Vice Chair National Black Child Development Institute. He is also a Trustee for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation and the Youth Service Fund Foundation for the Rotary Club of Atlanta. He is also on the Georgia Tech Advisory Board to the President of Georgia Tech. Dr. Smith holds a BS and MBA from Georgia Tech and a DBA from Georgia State University.

SEE YOU AT THE 2022 BLACK MEN'S LEADERSHIP SUMMIT!

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Gathering Spot, 384 Northyards Blvd NW, Atlanta, United States