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May 21, 2024

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Roz Brewer joins Black Economic Alliance board

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Black Economic Alliance (BEA), a nonpartisan coalition of Black business leaders and aligned advocates, recently welcomed Rosalind “Roz” Brewer to its Board of Directors. Brewer most recently served as CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance and brings a wealth of expertise in business leadership to the Board.

“Roz has spent her trailblazing career breaking down barriers to Black economic advancement,” said Samantha Tweedy, Black Economic Alliance CEO. “She has championed BEA’s priorities of advancing Black work, wages, and wealth at some of the world’s most influential companies, and I look forward to her vision and expertise accelerating BEA’s efforts and impact.”

“BEA has a uniquely powerful mandate to expand Black economic power and prosperity,” said Brewer. “From my leadership experiences spanning HBCU campuses to the boardrooms of corporate America, I understand first-hand the inextricable link between Black economic advancement and the growth of the entire American economy. I am honored and excited to work with BEA’s Board and leadership and lend my expertise to BEA’s next phase of impact.”

“Roz’s professional achievements are inspirational to countless Black professionals, and I am thrilled she is starting a new chapter as a BEA Board Member,” said BEA Board Co-Chair and Executive Chairman of Cerevel Therapeutics Tony Coles. “As only the third Black woman ever to head a Fortune 500 company, her perspective will be critical in our work to advance Black economic mobility.”

“BEA’s work has always focused on improving economic conditions for Black Americans. To do that, we rely on the expertise of professionals who walk the walk, and Roz does just that,” said BEA Board Co-Chair and Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Recognize Charles Phillips. “Roz’s insights will be crucial as BEA crafts strategies that ensure more Black Americans not only fully participate in the economy — but lead it.”

A Spelman College graduate, Brewer began her career as a research technician at Kimberly-Clark, rising to global president before leaving in 2006. Following her extensive career at Kimberly-Clark, Brewer served in various leadership roles for Walmart Stores, managing operations in some of the company’s most important geographical regions as president of Walmart East before spearheading the company’s Sam’s Club wing as president and CEO. In this role, she focused on expanding digital technology and the customer experience at Sam’s Club stores nationwide.

In 2017, Brewer joined Starbucks as COO and group president—serving as the second highest-ranking employee at the company and leading business and operations for Starbucks across the Western Hemisphere. 

Following her service with Starbucks, Brewer was appointed CEO of the Walgreens Boots Alliance—becoming the third Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company. 

Brewer’s former board service includes Amazon.com, Starbucks Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and Molson Coors Brewing Company. Currently, she serves on the boards of United Airlines and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The BEA Board of Directors consists of 12 members who help guide the mission and direction of the organization. Current members of the BEA Board of Directors, in addition to Brewer, include:

• Tony Coles, M.D. – Co-Chair, Black Economic Alliance Board & Executive Chairman, Cerevel Therapeutics
• Charles Phillips – Co-Chair, Black Economic Alliance Board & Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Recognize
• Tia Breakley – Chief Strategic Development Officer & Chief Governance Officer, Blue Meridian Partners
• Robyn Coles – President, TRATE Properties
• Richelieu Dennis – Founder, Sundial Brands; Founder/Chair, Essence Ventures; Founder, New Voices Fund & New Voices Foundation; Founder/Chair, Social Mission Board
• Broderick Johnson – Executive Vice President, Public Policy & Executive Vice President, Digital Equity, Comcast Corporation
• Mattie McFadden-Lawson – Civic Leader, Activist, and Philanthropist
• Vicki Palmer – President, The Palmer Group LLC
• Deval Patrick – Professor of Practice and Co-Director of Center for Public Leadership, Harvard Kennedy School; Founder & Chair, TogetherFUND
• Benaree Pratt Wiley – Principal, The Wiley Group
• Kneeland Youngblood – Founding Partner and Chairman, Pharos Capital Group

More information on BEA’s Board of Directors can be found at https://blackeconomicalliance.org/our-board/