Inclusive Leadership: A Key Business Imperative

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Inclusive Leadership - A Key Business Imperative

The Executive Leadership Council (ELC), the nation's leadership organization of the most senior African-American corporate executives in Fortune 500 companies, remains committed to inclusive leadership despite economic uncertainties. The Council's mission is to build an inclusive business leadership pipeline and to develop African-American corporate leaders. To date, The Executive Leadership Council, with more than 460 members, represents well over 270 major corporations.

According to ELC President and Chief Executive Officer Carl Brooks, "For over 22 years, The Executive Leadership Council has worked to advance the opportunities for African Americans within the corporate leadership pipeline to become CEOs and reach the C-Suite. The commitment of our member companies to foster business excellence through inclusion is as strong as ever."

Recently, more than 35 Fortune 500 CEOs participated in the 8th Annual CEO Diversity Summit, a half-day, "top-to-top" meeting that focused on issues of diversity in corporate America. Participants came from a wide variety of industries to share and discuss issues, insights and best practices for making the business case for diversity as a business imperative globally. This year’s annual recognition dinner hosted more than 85 CEOs, boasting the largest attendance from chief executives to date.

Brooks also recently recognized the achievements of President-elect Barack Obama: "On behalf of the Boards of Directors of The Executive Leadership Council and The Executive Leadership Foundation, and the 460 African American senior corporate executives which represent the membership of The Executive Leadership Council, we want to congratulate and honor the newly elected 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Obama. We honor this historic accomplishment as the answered prayer of the deferred dreams of so many who came before him. This victory is validation that the content of one’s character does mean more than the color of one's skin."