The moment they stepped into the opening reception 10 months ago, African-American professionals said they could feel they were embarking on “something different” by participating in the Consortium for Leadership Development (CLD) program.
Some of its 32 participants said there was an excitement and equal nervousness knowing that the region’s top African-American leaders were going to be watching and investing their time to usher them on a path of executive leadership.
“CLD is a one of a kind,” said Vanessa Foster-Cooksey, CLD participant and senior director of community affairs at Anheuser-Busch InBev.
“It is designed to increase African Americans in top leadership positions. I think it will achieve its objective because the stewards of the program are already successful in business. We are learning from people who have been there.”
On June 1, Foster-Cooksey and her colleagues became the first class to complete the program. These graduates already serve as leaders in some of the region’s largest companies. The consortium’s mission is to take these leaders to the top.
Arnold Donald, private investor and former CEO of the Executive Leadership Council, gave the keynote speech at the closing ceremony at the Ritz-Carlton St. Louis on Saturday.
“While what I’m about to say may sound a bit over-dramatic, it is nevertheless true,” Donald said. “The future of the world depends on just how you practice your decision-making skills. Nothing you’ll ever do will be more important than the life you shape and the character you build – one decision at a time.”
The Consortium for Leadership Development is the brainchild of independent investment consultant David Price and the African American Business Leadership Council (AABLC).
Price, a former senior executive at BF Goodrich and Monsanto companies, said he has participated in several leadership programs during his 40 years of corporate experience. But none like this.
“There are over 1,000 leadership development programs and initiatives in the United States, but I don’t think any of them were designed with people of color in mind,” said Price, who is also chairman of the program’s advisory board and architect of the CLD Leaders Program.
“CLD points out not only the similarities but also the differences that exist in the corporate world for people of color.”
Council members believed that they could both find and cultivate the next wave of African-American leaders, and they were willing to personally invest their time and money to make it happen.
Once the idea for the program got momentum, the council reached out to Fara Zakery, dean of Harris-Stowe State University’s business school, to facilitate the program at the university. Then they hired Sharilyn Franklin, who previously served as CEO of FUSE Advertising, to be the program’s executive director.
“The Consortium for Leadership Development has merged industry with academia and created a program that trains the underrepresented,” Franklin said, who has a PhD in management from Walden University.
“The CLD identified a social issue and provides a social remedy.”
The program’s 10 “modules” focused on everything from vision to charisma, with AABLC members helping to lead the discussions.
Keith Williamson, senior VP, general counsel, and secretary of Centene Corporation, facilitated the lesson on “execution,” based on good preparation.
David Steward, founder and chairman of World Wide Technology, took the lead in the “integrity” workshop, where he talked about understanding “psychological contracts” in organizations.
Kelvin Westbrook, CEO of KRW Advisors, spoke on “dealing with uncertainty.” Here the participants learned to manage risks, recognize opportunity and exhibit courage and composure in the face of ambiguity, Franklin said.
The participants also worked on case-study analysis and problem-solving strategies in groups.
“We have taken a blend of academia, experience that we have from the business school at Harris-Stowe, and also the realities and real life practices of the members of African American Leadership Council,” Price said.
“This is not a feel-good approach,” he said. “This is a systematic approach – over the course of one year, 10 modules, which will arm them with the skill set that they need to be successful.”
Mark Smith, manager of provider data and credentialing at Centene Corporation, said he benefitted from hearing the life stories of the program’s advisory board members, including Arnold Donald, Larry Thomas, Michael Holmes, Johnny Furr Jr., Donald M. Suggs, Henry Givens Jr. and Tony Thompson.
“You were empowered by the vision they had and the things they accomplished,” Smith said. “We also had the opportunity to have dialogue with these executives. It was an impactful 10 months.”
Aside from the 32 professionals, Harris-Stowe students were also able to participate through the program’s Skill Building Forums. Hundreds of students attended the forums, taking advantage of the opportunity to network with CLD participants and the advisory board, Franklin said.
Price said Franklin’s leadership and Harris-Stowe’s partnership were a driving force in the program’s first-year success.
“The first year was a pilot year, but it didn’t feel like a first year,” Price said. “It felt like we knew what the heck we were doing. I am very proud of these professional individuals who have high potential and who have chosen to take the extra step in the quest for success.”
