League Of Black Women Goes Global With Annual Leadership Conference

TAMPA, Fla. -- Professional, high-ranking Black women from around the country will convene to discuss Black women's prospects for global leadership at the League of Black Women's 7th annual leadership conference "Black Women 2010 Global Ready" June 15-19 at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Tampa, Florida.

"This year's conference is about Black women looking at our potential to be global leaders and taking positions with global impact," said Sandra Finley, President of the League of Black Women. "We're here to embrace our leadership competency and to develop confidence in each other. We have a global presence but not a global leadership power presence. I believe the women of our times, right now, are those candidates." 

The conference promises a range of interests with speakers and esteemed panelists from government, business, philanthropy, agriculture, media and the literary world. Forums will span topics that take on the challenges and identify timely opportunity for Black women in pursuit of global leadership and influence.

This year also marks the first time the LBW has held its annual conference at a venue owned by a Black woman, Sheila Johnson. Ms. Johnson, CEO of Salamander Hospitality and the nation's first Black female billionaire, will be among distinguished guests and speakers that include Ambassador Ertharin Cousin, U.S. representative to the UN Agencies for Food and Agriculture; Ambassador (Ret.) Harriet Elam-Thomas, director of the Diplomacy Program at the University of Central Floridain Orlando, where she is shaping a global education and training initiative for students and professionals; Dr. Patricia Taylor, Chief of Intelligence Community and EEO and Diversity, Office of the Director of National Intelligence; Nichelle Nichols, best known for her role as Lt. Uhura on Star Trek, who led successful efforts to recruit minorities and women into the NASA space program; Tracey Ferguson, Houston socialite, editor-in-chief of Jones lifestyle magazine and star of reality TV show "Keeping Up with the Joneses"; and Antoinette Leatherberry, Principal, Diversity and Inclusion Champion, for Deloitte Consulting.

Ten students, five each from Florida A&M University (FAMU) and Bethune Cookman University, will attend the conference on scholarships sponsored by the LBW.

Black Rose Award

Each year, the LBW recognizes a woman who has used the power of her leadership position to create new leadership opportunities for others with the LBW Black Rose Award. This year, there are two such distinguished honorees: Selena Cuffe is an American wine vendor and president and CEO of Heritage Link Brands based in Los Angeles. Heritage Link Brands is the largest U.S. company dedicated to advancing commerce in Africa by importing and distributing wine produced by indigenous Africans and people of African descent. Rachel Robinson is Founder of The Jackie Robinson Foundation, which is praised as one of the most important forces providing educational opportunity to underserved youth in America today.

In addition, Robert L. Billingslea, Vice President, Corporate Urban Affairs and Development for The Walt Disney Company, will be recognized for his leadership in helping to build the sustainability of LBW in support of the women and communities the organization serves globally.

Also at the conference, Ms. Finley will introduce early findings from the League's 2010 National Having Our Say Survey called "Risk and Reward." The survey, conducted in partnership with DePaul University, Chicago, looks at Black women's willingness to take on risks in pursuit of leadership goals and what, or who, influences their decisions. A full report will be released later in the year.

Black Women 2010 Global Ready is sponsored by Deloitte and supported by League of Black Women 2010 corporate partners: The Walt Disney Company; Booz Allen Hamilton; CNA; U.S. Cellular; American Airlines; Black Enterprise, Diversity MBA magazine; TIAA CREF; Coca Cola; Southern Company; and American Airlines, the official airline for the conference.

Ms. Finley and featured guests will be available at select times during the conference to conduct media interviews in person or by telephone. For information and press admittance, email T. Shawn Taylor (tshawntaylor@yahoo.com) of Treetop Consulting Inc. For a conference schedule, visit www.leagueofblackwomen.org.

SOURCE League of Black Women