Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole
In her role as co-chairperson of UNCF’s capital campaign, Dr. Cole will spearhead efforts to secure vital resources that will empower UNCF member colleges and universities to continue providing scholarships, support services and cutting-edge programs.
“I am elated to welcome my dear friend, Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole, fellow champion for equal justice in higher education, pioneering educator and extraordinary leader to join forces with UNCF to help us keep the momentum going with our bold, ambitious $1 billion capital campaign. With her immense expertise and passion for education, Dr. Cole will play a pivotal role in advancing the goals of our capital campaign and UNCF’s mission of ensuring equal access to higher education for underrepresented students of color,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF.
“Dr. Cole will serve as an ambassador for the campaign and advocate with UNCF-member presidents and her own network to help identify new supporters. She is no stranger to conducting successful capital campaigns,” said Lomax.
Dr. Cole was the first Black woman to serve as president of Spelman College, which was founded specifically for the education of women of African descent, and she was also the president of Bennett College.
Under President Cole’s leadership, “The Spelman Campaign: Initiatives for the 90s,” was launched and raised $113.8 million for the college’s endowment. In 1992, the college announced the receipt of $37 million from the DeWitt Wallace/Readers Digest Fund—at the time, the largest gift ever given to a historically Black college or university. The campaign brought Spelman’s endowment to $141 million, the largest at that time for any HBCU. As president of Bennett College, Dr. Cole led a successful $50 million capital campaign.