Ingrid Saunders Jones: New Chairwoman of the National Council of Negro Women

This week’s Humpday Hero is Ingrid Saunders Jones, current Chairwoman of the Board of the National Council of Negro Women, former Senior Vice President of Global Community Connections and Chair of the Coca-Cola Foundation. She recently retired after 31 years of service with the Coca-Cola Company. Ingrid Jones successfully made the transition from a teacher in Detroit to employee at City Hall under the guidance of Atlanta City Council President Carl Ware and Mayor Maynard Jackson to Chair of the Coca-Cola Foundation. She is recognized for being an advocate for educational and business opportunities for African-Americans around the globe. Under her leadership the Coca-Cola Foundation has awarded over 460 million dollars to various programs, organizations and people.

A reception in honor of her 31 years at Coca-Cola, was recently held at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta, Georgia. It was attended by Coca-Cola’s CEO Muhtar Kent, NAACP president Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, members of the Michigan State University Black Alumni Association, sorority sisters from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the president of the National Black McDonald’s Owners Association, former U.N. Ambassador and Atlanta Mayor, Andrew Young, Spelman President Beverly Daniel Tatum, U.S. Congressman John Lewis as well as many other distinguished attendees.

In honor of her legacy and new position, the Coca-Cola Company donated 1 million dollars to the National Council of Negro Women where Ingrid Saunders Jones will serve as the first Chairwoman of the Board installed since the passing of Dorothy Height.

The Charles Wright Museum of African-American History in Detroit, Michigan also held a reception and unveiled their new exhibit created in her honor, “Ingrid Saunders Jones: 31 Years of Distinguished Service… and Counting”. You can view this exhibit for free with admission.

Below you will find a link to a video of an Achievement Award she received from the Executive Leadership Council in 2008!

Executive Leadership Council 2008 Achievement Award