Johnnetta B. Cole

Dr. Johnnetta Cole is a well-known author, scholar, and activist for social and economic justice. The President Emerita of Spelman and Bennett Colleges, she is currently founder of the Johnnetta B. Cole Global Inclusion and Diversity Institute at Bennett College. Dr. Cole has also held positions at Washington State University, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Hunter College, the City University of New York, and Emory College, where she chaired the Department of Anthropology.

Dr. Cole made history in 1987 when she became the first African American female to serve as President of Spelman College. Under Dr. Cole’s leadership, Spelman completed a capital campaign, which raised $113.8 million, the largest sum ever raised by a historically Black college or university. She has received numerous educational awards and honors, including more than forty honorary degrees from the most prestigious learning institutions in the United States.

In addition to her academic duties, Dr. Cole has served on the Boards of Directors of Home Depot, Merck & Co., Inc., NationsBank South, and was the first woman ever elected to the Board of Coca-Cola Enterprises.

William J. Lamar, Jr.

After more than 25 years of experience in consumer oriented brands, William (Bill) Lamar, Jr. recently retired as the first African-American Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for McDonald's USA.

As Chief Marketing Officer, Lamar was responsible for the marketing, advertising and new product development in the U.S. As a strategist and motivator, he led U.S. Marketing and Menu Management during the turnaround of the McDonald’s business. Increasing market-share and spearheading the launch of the i’m lovin’ it^™ global campaign within the U.S., Lamar’s results helped lead to McDonald’s being honored as “Marketer of the Year” by Advertising Age magazine.

After working marketing for Quaker Oats, Burrell Advertising and United Airlines, Mr. Lamar began his career with McDonald’s in 1984 as a National Marketing Project Manager, and later became General Manager and Regional Vice President for McDonald’s Atlanta Region. In 2002, he was named CMO, with additional responsibilities for new product development and business research. In that year, he created the inspirational marketing platform “365 Black” – a core-messaging theme of the McDonald’s promotional programs to African American consumers.

In addition to his leadership as a businessman, Lamar is on the Board of Directors for Children’s Memorial Medical Center - Chicago, IL; The National Caucus and Center on Black Aged, Inc. - Washington, D.C.; Ad Council and the University of Illinois Chicago Development Committee.

Roland S. Martin

Roland Martin is an award-winning, nationally syndicated columnist, one of the rising stars of African American journalism. He is a regular commentator for TV One Cable Network and CNN, as well as a special correspondent for ESSENCE Magazine and the host of The Roland S. Martin Show, heard mornings on WVON in Chicago. He is also the author of Listening to the Spirit Within: 50 Perspectives on Faith, and Speak, Brother! A Black Man's View of America.

An insightful and provocative analyst, he has appeared on MSNBC, FOX News, Court TV, BET Nightly News, BBC News, National Public Radio, The Word Network, America's Black Forum, American Urban Radio Networks, the Tavis Smiley Show and the Tom Joyner Morning Show. Mr. Martin has won more than 20 professional awards for journalistic excellence, and is the former executive editor/general manager of the Chicago Defender, the nation's largest Black daily newspaper.

Ernie Adair

Astute businessman and compassionate humanitarian, Ernie Adair is the President of ADCORP, Inc., a management company responsible for the day-to-day operations of nine Phoenix-area family-owned McDonald’s restaurants.

He has also been a leader in the National Black McDonald’s Operators Association (NBMOA) for the past 20 years, serving as Board Member, Secretary, Vice President of Marketing, President of the West Division, and currently, Chairman and CEO. Under Mr. Adair’s leadership, this internationally known organization has achieved numerous milestones, including the development of NBMOA’s first external, national scholarship program administered through the United Negro College Fund.

Currently, his most cherished project is the Phoenix Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities National Scholarship Program, which he chairs. The program has generated more than $250,000 in scholarships for under-funded college-bound students in the Phoenix area in 2008.