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BET Networks Chair and CEO Debra L. Lee is joining President Barack Obama's management advisory board designed to improve the relationships and interactions between private business and federal government.
In bringing Lee to the board that will have its first meeting at the White House on Friday, the president has tapped a savvy and well-respected business leader who has been able to expand her reach beyond the world of black business to represent some of the world's largest corporations.
Earlier this week, Eastman Kodak announced that Lee, a South Carolina native, wouldn't stand for re-election to her seat on the company's board of directors where she served for 12 years. Lee will continue to serve as an Eastman Kodak director until May.
Lee, 55, also serves as a director for Marriott International, Inc., Revlon, Inc., and WGL Holdings, Inc.
Word that Lee was being selected for the president's advisory board took me a little by surprise. My first thought was why isn't she on the board already.
Few people in American business, black or white, have the access to the people who make our economy run like Debra Lee.
In a recent interview I conducted with Lee on the paucity of blacks serving on corporate boards of directors, she advocated programs like the Urban League's Director Inclusion Initiative, which trains and provides certification for black entrepreneurs interested in serving on corporate boards.
Forward-thinking approaches like those suggested by Lee are exactly what President Obama needs to hear if he is going to pull this nation from its economic slumber.
Comments: (9)
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By: djkut on 3/17/2011 2:30PM
@ uub140 I feel what you saying but Obama wife Michelle the comment about her being a disgrace has nothing to do about how you feel about him. That is not fair and not cool. I do however agree that we as Blacks have to beaware that Obama must get some people with common sense experience to help get this country on track and help all Americans and to also not shy away and be fair an acknowledge the uneven playing fields for blacks and poor people that needs to be addressed in this country without running from it.
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By: Israeline on 3/17/2011 4:44PM
uub140 what are you referring to? You are attacking First Lady Obama because of a crisis in the Middle East? How is First Lady Obama responsible for the crisis in the Middle East? I have seen your comments all over the place and very few of them make sense. Think! This is a revolution that could not be avoided. Apparently, you do not recognize when God Almighty's hand is in the midst of situations, because if you did I am sure you will respect the process of God Almighty and stop pointing fingers at His children. When you point fingers a whole lot is pointing back at you. Take heed and pray prey.
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By: R.W. on 3/18/2011 8:42AM
Uub140, I believe you're an idiot.
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By: Sallie Hayes-Williams on 3/18/2011 12:12PM
Are you sure Debra Lee is a South Carolina native? I remember growing up in the same neighborhood and going to the same schools with her in GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA. I noticed over the past several years she rarely speaks of her southern background. Perhaps she has become one of those successful people that dismisses their childhood,or perhaps she considers that part of her life as "private".
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By: sw3254 on 3/18/2011 12:47PM
uub140 ,Don't look now but your innorance is showing .You admitted to being and uncle tom .That feel that no one is capable of running this country ,But a white person .You even stated that we are inferior to the white race .How saad, Your 1950's way of thinking is a digrace to President Obama and Mrs. Obama and other black americans that has lost thier lives in a great effort to be given equal oppertunity in this country . However,Ignorant people like your self make it very hard for blacks to get and retain the justice we strive for.
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By: Rod on 3/18/2011 2:57PM
UUB-
Is that short for Idiot? After reading your comments I only respect your right to have an opinion. Michell is the first lady and her presence is compliment to that position,our Nation and Black people.It's house ni--as like you that made Juneteenth- Didn't want to leave massahs whip.
Situations in Mid East was not initiated by this president. Please don't identify with us- it just embarrasses me.
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By: Alexander Ivory on 3/18/2011 2:59PM
uub, you talked like some ignorant fool. As for the Middle East, chaos has been the norm there for decades, especially since the death of Sadat. As for blacks being inferior to whites, speak for your own weak-minded self.
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By: Clinton on 3/19/2011 4:57AM
uub 140, Michelle is no more a disgrace than Nancy's "just say no" or Mrs. Bush's push to "read library books" or any of the other 1st ladies. Stop repeating Limbaugh, Beck, Palin, Hannity, Coulter and all the other hate-mongers. All they're doing is making a pile of money off you ank Koch brothers, etc.
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By: whytbull on 3/21/2011 10:02AM
UUB140, You should be concerned with the number of White woman that are being killed at the hands of White men and the thousands of white children that go missing because of all of the white male pedophiles that terrorize your neighborhoods. That should be more important to you then hanging out on BV copy and pasting the same paragraph over an over again.
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