2019 Spring - Spectrum Magazine

SPRING 2019 THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK ACCOUNTANTS, INC. 8 NABA FOUNDERS 14 WOMEN OF NABA 22 FULFILLMENT/ LOOK BAC K IN LEADERSH IP CHALLENGES IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP

How will your © 2019 Ernst & Young LLP. All Rights Reserved. | SCORE no. 07166-191US | 1901-3010586 NABA | ED None actions speak louder than words? We congratulate NABA on celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. At EY, we do everything we can to empower people to make an impact every day. We are proud to work with the innovators and game changers of today to create new legacies for the world. Through a career at EY, you will become a builder of your legacy — for our clients, our communities and yourself. Join our talent community: tinyurl.com/ eynaba19 or contact Tonika Hammonds at tonika.hammonds@ey.com or Tina Thompkins at tina.thompkins@ey.com. Learn more: exceptionalEY.com #Imaginebetter

CONTENTS 3 NABA National Board of Directors 4 Message from the Chairman 5 Message from the CEO 8 NABA Founders Look Back 14 Women of NABA in Leadership 22 NABA/DOF Members Find Fulfillment, Challenges in Entrepreneurship 29 Working Abroad Can Broaden Horizons 31 Mentoring Seen as Key to Success 32 Outstanding Students 34 A Deeper Commitment to ACAP 36 ACAP Grantees Gear Up for Summer Programs 39 5 Fitness Trends for 2019 40 Giving Back Through Board Service 43 Diversity & Inclusion 44 Accounting Firms Need STEM 46 Lifetime Members

PUBLISHER MAGAZINE HOW TO REACH US Walter J. Smith, CPA EXECUTIVE EDITOR WRITERS . Lauren Yost Maya Francis EDITORIAL: EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Elaine W. Smith editorial@nabainc.org Shaun Lane Ruth E. Thaler-Carter MANAGING EDITORS ADVERTISING: Elaine W. Smith COPY EDITOR businessdevelopment@nabainc.org Darell Scott, MBA Miriam W. Tarver MEMBERSHIP/ CUSTOMER SERVICE: NABA STAFF Lynette Perry memberservices@nabainc.org Walter J. Smith, CPA Manager, Membership Operations President & Chief Executive Officer PUBLISHED ARTICLES Lauren Yost, SPHR, SHRM-SCP Brandi Williams AND REPRINT PERMISSIONS: Chief Operating Officer Manager, Chapter Relations For permission to reprint Kim R. Wilson Octavia Bizzell articles please contact Chief Programs Officer Member Services Coordinator communications@nabainc.org. Loleta Holmes Shaun Lane Director, Program Development Director, Communications ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS: Shon McGhee Darell Scott, MBA For more information about Controller Manager, Communications submitting articles for publication Lauren Silva Crystal Briscoe in Spectrum please visit Vice President, Business Development Executive Services Administrator www.nabainc.org/articlesubmission. STAY CONNECTED! Join NABA’s Social Networks: 7474 Greenway Center Drive, Suite 1120 • Greenbelt, MD 20770 Phone: 301.474.NABA • Fax: 301.474.3114 • www.nabainc.org

MISSION The mission of NABA, Inc. is to address the professional needs of its members and to build leaders who shape the future of the accounting and finance profession with an unfaltering commitment to inspire the same in their successors. The Association shall unite through membership accountants, finance and business-related professionals and students who have similar interests and ideals, are committed to professional and academic excellence, possess a sense of professional and civic responsibility, and are concerned with enhancing opportunities for minorities in the accounting, finance and business-related professions. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Steven L. Harris, CPA , CGMA Earl G. Fagan Jr., CPA Daniel E. Worrell, Ryan Galloway, MPA, CFE, CRMA CPA, CGMA Chairman of the Board Vice Chairman of the Board Treasurer Secretary REGIONAL PRESIDENTS Rautz Marc Eugene S. Hampton II, CPA, CGFM ZeNai Brooks Nora O’Garro Eastern Region President Southern Region President Central Region President Western Region President NATIONAL DIRECTORS Felicia Farrar, CPA, CFE Herschel Frierson Sherry-Ann Mohan, MBA, CPA Tysheba Morgan, CPA, CIA National Director National Director National Director National Director Jesse Rhodes Jr., CISA Uso Sayers , CISA National Director National Director SPRING 2019 | SPECTRUM 3

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN Greetings! I am honored to be the chairman of NABA as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary, which is the theme of this issue of Spectrum. Since the initial meeting in New York City of nine black accountants, which led to the founding of NABA, a lot has happened in business and accounting – email, the personal computer and the internet; the Big 8 became the Big 4; the CPA exam was digitized; GAAP, the GAO Yellow Book, FASB, GAAP, and PCAOB were established; and NASBA and the AICPA elected their first black leaders. In this issue of Spectrum, I am pleased that we were able to tap into the thoughts of five of NABA’s co-founders: Frank Ross, Richard McNamee, Ronald Benjamin, Earl Biggett Sr., and Bert Gibson. Frank Ross’s remarks sum up why NABA was created: “We realized that if any changes were forthcoming, we would need to be at least the precipitator of those changes…. We became committed to establishing a networking vehicle for black accountants in the country.” Spectrum also highlights the five women leaders of NABA – Ramona Pearson, Greta Russell, Angela Avant, Kim Griffin-Hunter and Gwendolyn Skillern. These amazing women have held leadership positions not only in NABA, but also in business and in their communities. As firms began to employ black accountants, many of those hired eventually were able to advance their careers to levels of management and even to partner. But for some, entrepreneurship was the real key to success. NABA members Emma S. Walker, Anthony G. King, Charlene Smith and George Willie discuss the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship as early members of the Division of Firms, which NABA established in 1986. Other articles in this issue focus on current realities of the profession that are also important to the continued progress of blacks in accounting: • Going Global – Michael Ross, the son of NABA Co-Founder Frank Ross, advanced his career by accepting an opportunity overseas. “Having that international experience helped to differentiate me from the next person.” • Mentoring – NABA Board member Tysheba Morgan sees mentoring as a two-way street. “In addition to helping a colleague, I’ve found that I can learn from a mentee who’s in a different line of business.” • STEM – The Uniform CPA Exam was revised last year to include attributes previously considered more relevant to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). Charles Barley, chair of NABA’s Corporate Advisory Board, says NABA professionals should “challenge their thinking and embrace the evolution.” • Service – NABA members Angela Avant, Sandra Gates and Dannell Lyne have found that service on state boards of accountancy provides a deeper understanding and appreciation of the profession. The future of blacks in the accounting profession lies in ensuring that more university business students are aware of NABA and that more secondary school students are introduced to the accounting profession. Students such as Clement Oliver, Malik Dedner and Bionna Bryant have not only committed to a career in accounting and finance, but are also actively involved as leaders in NABA student chapters. The Accounting Career Awareness Program (ACAP) continues to be a critical solution to filling the pipeline of blacks in accounting. NABA has deepened its commitment to ACAP by creating a national task force to participate in purposeful dialogue that results in activities to help transform, evolve, expand, and provide oversight of the ACAP programs. Task force member Nora O’Garro states, “This task force will make history by doubling the number of minorities who will enter the profession, become CPAs, and obtain other advanced certifications over the next decade.” ACAP represents one of the many ways we are fulfilling our motto, Lifting As We Climb. Sincerely, Steven L. Harris, CPA, CGMA Chairman of the Board 4 SPECTRUM | SPRING 2019

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO Hello NABA Nation, I remain truly humbled and honored to serve as President and CEO of NABA, Inc. during our 50th Anniversary celebration. We continue to make history every day in our NABA lives as members, students, corporate and academic partners, among our many diverse stakeholders. In and of itself, the number “50” carries a series of markers, including but not limited to: midpoint, midfield, half-court, the net in tennis, the half-way point. For NABA, “50” becomes part of our journey but not our destination. We are still creating our limitless future as we celebrate our golden jubilee. Our profession continues to evolve at a rapid pace. Much has changed since our founding in 1969, but we continue to deliver our suite of support for our members - National Convention innovation & engagement, ACAP expansion, rising scholarship support, diverse professional & personal development programs, and leadership networking forums. We remain on the path to build and enhance diverse & inclusive cultures with our Corporate Partners. We’re strengthening bridges with our academic partners to better prepare our students for success beyond the classroom. It is a breathtaking journey. This issue of Spectrum showcases our 50th Anniversary by visiting our courageous history, strong present, and powerful future. The wonderful keepsake in the middle of the publication captures just a few moments in the first “50” of our extraordinary timeline. One story will feature our founders with insightful thoughts about where they were in their life and career in 1969 and how their lives have evolved. We celebrate the talent and courage of the “NABA First 5” – women who served as Chair of the NABA Board of Directors. We also showcase our members and their NABA journeys from high school to college to the workplace, and where so much promise still exists and where success has been and will be achieved. You will agree that each of us have a NABA story. Looking forward to the next “50”, I believe that success is inevitable because of the combined strength of the uber-talent in our national office, our professional chapters, our students, our Board of Directors, and diverse stakeholders. All have invested and committed to our mission. Clearly, there is much more work to do to effectively manage our NABA inheritance! For now, let’s celebrate our remarkable milestone through Spectrum! Warmest regards, Walter J. Smith, CPA President and CEO “50 Years. One Voice. One NABA.” SPRING 2019 | SPECTRUM 5

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NABA FOUNDERS Left to right: Frank Ross, LOOK BACK, Richard McNamee, Ronald Benjamin, Earl Biggett Sr., Bert Gibson Celebrate Successes, Commit to Future By Ruth E. Thaler-Carter meeting with the Big Eight firms and asked why there were so few blacks at those firms. To become a CPA in those days NABA began 50 years ago when Frank Ross and eight of required two years of working with a CPA firm; since few his colleagues came together to co-found the organization white firms would hire blacks and no black firms existed, because, said Ross, “the major accounting firms began you can see why there were so few black CPAs. The firms hiring blacks, but did not help them assimilate into the responded that they were not racists; it was just that they workforce. They took the position that if they did anything could not find any black accountants to hire. Ms. Holmes special, they would be admitting that they were not hiring Norton told them that they better find some or they could the right individuals. The few of us in the profession at that not do business in the state of New York. They began a time said to ourselves that if the firms cannot do anything, frantic recruitment program to all the black colleges. And then we needed to step up and fill the void.” guess what? They found more than they could hire. Since As Ross said in his book, Quiet Guys Can Do Great Things, the national headquarters of all the Big Eight firms were in Too: A Black Accountant’s Success Story, NABA came New York, hiring blacks became the rule for the country — to life “in response to the City of New York’s 1968 civil north, south, east, and west.” rights lawsuit against six of the Big Eight accounting firms headquartered in New York City seeking the hiring of While NABA was the dream of its founders, more blacks. … From 1965 to 1967, most of the Big Eight “every black CPA in America owes a debt accounting firms would hire one black accountant a year. of gratitude to Ms. Holmes Norton. It No one ever told me that was the policy, but it became would be fitting to honor her on the 50th obvious as I met other blacks employed by these firms anniversary, for without her, there may not during this period … The issue at hand … was the need have been a NABA,” McNamee said. “It took for change in the recruitment and retention of blacks a lot of courage to do what she did. She put coming into the accounting industry. We realized that her job on the line. She is the real hero, and if any changes were forthcoming, we would need to be the world should know.” at least the precipitator of those changes.… We became committed to establishing a networking vehicle for black Remembering those days, “blacks in my generation were accountants in the country.” the most optimistic people in the world,” McNamee said. Co-founder Richard McNamee credits Eleanor Holmes “We had every right to just give up. There were no jobs Norton, now the member of Congress for the District of waiting for us. We knew no black accountants, engineers, or Columbia, with that lawsuit after New York Governor Nelson other ‘exotic’ careers. Rockefeller appointed her to head the New York State Civil Rights Commission. “It was brought to her attention that the Big Eight accounting firms were practicing racial discrimination in hiring blacks, which was against New York law,” McNamee recalled. “She immediately called a 8 SPECTRUM | SPRING 2019

“We went to college knowing that the only sure job was as for members of minority groups to increase their knowledge a Pullman porter – some younger people do not even know of accounting and increase individual capabilities; and unite what a Pullman porter was – but our parents stressed to us people interested in enhancing opportunities in accounting the importance of a good education. Yet, we believed that for members of minority groups. someday there would be a place for us. Yes, practically all of “We wanted to get to know other blacks [in the us went to segregated schools, but we had some of the best profession],” McNamee said of those early days. “We were teachers, who cared for us and encouraged us. We were told not naïve. We knew we were not wanted [but] the civil we could do anything. A smart kid was almost as valued as rights movement in the ’60s had taught us that there was a star athlete.” strength in unity. ... The biggest challenge was getting used As co-founder Ronald Benjamin said, “The civil rights to New York City. The work was easy. We just wanted to initiative imposed on large CPA firms that they had to hire get our two years in to qualify to be CPAs. We stayed in the black accountants. At least the nine of us were virtually the ready room and studied for the CPA exam.” first wave of those hired by the major CPA firms in New York City.” A VISION YIELDS FRUIT Among the challenges, “imagine being the only person racially different from everyone else in the office,” The founders’ vision for NABA was to help blacks overcome Benjamin said. The sense of isolation was often extreme, those challenges, and NABA has made substantial especially for young black accountants from outside New progress at many levels, from encouraging mentorship and York. “It was hard for firms to know what to do,” he said. entrepreneurship to providing resources for continuing “Some of them made special arrangements with clients professional education, support for certification and taking to see if they had any problems with black accountants on the CPA exam, networking, advocacy, and more. their audit teams.” “My vision was to facilitate black accountants’ transition Another challenge was that accounting curricula at New into the financial services industry and business,” Gibson York City colleges were often more demanding than said. “NABA has exceeded my expectations.” In the future, elsewhere, according to Benjamin, so their graduates were he would like to see NABA “continue and develop its often better-prepared for the workplace and professional members so they can take advantage of opportunities in accounting. “All of this created the need for networking, the profession and the financial services industry.” which led to founding NABA,” he said. Benjamin is proud of his career and NABA’s role in his Co-founder Earl Biggett Sr., CPA, remembers that “we success. “I have been fortunate as a result of NABA,” he said. often just sat in the assignment room. The firms were not “I’ve had a fantastic career.” He worked in public accounting sending black accountants out [to meet and work with for about three years, went into private accounting, and clients]. It was very disappointing.” Setting up NABA was then started his own firm with Ross, which operated for exciting and surprising, he said. “We didn’t realize NABA about 10 years before merging with another leading black- would get as big as it did. We started on a local level and owned firm. “We took on all aspects of accounting in every then decided to make it national. Firms welcomed it. NABA term of art,” he said. “We had a very impressive client list.” kept growing as we put together study sessions for the CPA Ross sees black accountants and students preparing to exam — we had to borrow letterhead for the first events! enter the profession as benefiting from opportunities Now it’s so strong and well-organized that it has gone today, but still facing challenges — there is a clear career beyond our wildest imaginations.” path in many instances and greater chances for entry and As co-founder Bert Gibson recalled, “The challenges in success with major accounting firms, as well as individual the workplace for black accountants, in addition to lack of business ownership, but technology can still be a barrier. knowledge in the field, were huge. Many of our members “The accounting profession is offering a great opportunity attended historically black colleges and universities and for blacks,” he said. “It is a challenging profession that were new to large urban environments like New York rewards those willing to work hard and meet the work City. We believed that we could help them adapt to the demands in a successful manner. It is constantly changing, difficulties of city life and share our knowledge of the as we can witness now with the impact that technology is business world. We also mentored them and provided having on the profession. Those who meet this challenge training that they were not getting in the workplace.” will advance rapidly in the profession and again be richly As Ross wrote, the goals of the organization were to assist rewarded.” and encourage members of minority groups in entering the Those seeking to advance their careers can see accounting profession; stimulate acquaintance and fellowship encouragement in the increasing number of blacks at the among members of minority groups; provide opportunities senior manager and partner levels today, Ross said. SPRING 2019 | SPECTRUM 9

NABA FOUNDERS LOOK BACK, Celebrate Successes, Commit to Future These changes “provide concrete examples to those “When I started my journey into the accounting profession entering the profession, because they can see that they some 53 years ago, many people of all races, background, too can achieve the highest levels of the profession. The gender, etc., helped me,” he said. “They reached back and larger numbers provide greater opportunities to seek became mentors, sponsors, or just someone whom I was mentors and sponsors who look like them. It also tells able to reach out to and seek advice. This is what drives them that they can reach even greater levels — the head me to do the same for those who are currently entering of a firm, for example.” the profession, as well as those seeking advice about which Even with greater visibility and success in leadership profession, firm, etc., they should join.” positions for minorities, Ross sees a continued need for Ross had served as an adjunct professor at Howard NABA. “Current studies show a majority of blacks still do University for many years and continued that relationship not feel they are really accepted in the social networks of after retiring from the profession of accounting, despite their employer companies,” he said. “NABA can definitely offers to teach at schools such as George Washington help them fit in better.” As he wrote in his book, “the work University and American University. He revived the of NABA is far from done. In many respects, many of the Center for Accounting Education in Howard’s School of problems we focused on in the I970s continue today. Low Business in 2003. numbers of blacks being recruited into the profession, As he wrote, “This post-retirement phase of my life has lack of upward mobility, low retention, and the problem allowed me to focus on a narrower band of goals that have of new accountants learning how to deal with the subtle always been important to me — changes that I can have racism and prejudices are still prevalent in the accounting an impact on, such as improving the status quo within field ... Among the many challenges of this 21st century, the accounting profession through research, advocacy, the accounting industry [still] must face and deal with mentoring and sponsorship.” That explains why his the problem of diversity and its willingness to hire and second career has been in academia: “One of my greatest promote accountants of color.” passions is to help shape young minds, and help guide and Since NABA’s 50th anniversary coincides with the 50th keep them focused on their career paths. I only have to anniversary of AICPA’s diversity efforts, this is a good time remember the challenges I faced, to realize that many of to look at AICPA’s progress to date and in the future. “That those challenges still exist, though nowadays, they may be progress lies in the issues of increasing the number of a bit more subtle.” blacks, as well as other minorities, in the profession — the Biggett also has had a combined career of accounting pipeline issue,” said Ross. “Once this is fully addressed practitioner for 20 years and educator for 26 years. and we start to see increased numbers coming into the “My thing was encouraging students to do better,” he profession and advancing to the key positions, then we can said. “I wanted colleagues to know that we need more pat ourselves on the back and say we have done our job. mentoring, not only at the college level but also for high Until that day, we still have a lot of work ahead of us — school students.” The best way to ensure that more black NABA and the AICPA, as well as the various state societies.” students go into accounting careers is for them to see To Ross, probably the most important aspect of NABA professionals in the field as role models, he said. membership today and in the future is, as he wrote, “the McNamee shares that sense of pride in co-founding NABA, opportunity for each member, young and old, to build a supporting the organization over the past 50 years, and network of fellow professionals with shared experiences. in helping colleagues succeed. “I founded the first black This network provides mentoring opportunities and builds firm to assist in the audit of the city of Detroit,” he said. lifetime relationships that prove supportive during the “We were selected by the first black city auditor, who most difficult times. It also offers business opportunities.” was a proud member of NABA. When we founded NABA, Ross retired from the profession a few years ago, but he we knew other cities would join. There were so many is still driven to be a champion for the success of blacks in new blacks recruited from a variety of schools. We used accounting and committed to the Lifting As We Climb motto. this factor to recruit NABA members all over America. 10 SPECTRUM | SPRING 2019

We didn’t have to sell NABA — everyone knew it was “You can get to the manager level, but no matter what you important to belong.” do, it still becomes difficult to exceed that level for many For Gibson, being a role model for younger generations blacks,” he said. has been rewarding. “I believe I have always fulfilled the NABA motto by encouraging young people to study A CONTINUING ROLE accounting and business, and use NABA as a vehicle for success,” he said. Because challenges remain to be confronted and Biggett has lived the NABA motto through his contributions overcome, “I believe there will always be a need for to NABA and as an educator. “My teaching experience and organizations like NABA to continue to develop ideas and commitment to showing people another side [to counter] move our people forward,” Gibson said. the negative stereotypes about black people represent “I wonder how much diversity exists in the workplace in the NABA motto,” he said. He also considers his volunteer 2019. There are more blacks than back in 1969, but we work with a national organization called First Tee, “similar can’t afford to stop moving forward.” to NABA but for golf,” which encourages young black “I would hope NABA will continue providing an people to learn and compete in that occupation, as living environment for networking and encouragement,” the motto. “It shows the other side of life,” he said. Benjamin said. “NABA is absolutely still needed. We have to encourage young black men and women to go into the TODAY’S CHALLENGES profession.” The fact that every ethnic group has its own professional association underscores the continuing need NABA’s founders agree that while much has been for such efforts, he said. accomplished, much remains to be done. To McNamee, NABA remains important, according to Biggett, because today’s challenge for NABA and its members is “to keep up the ongoing culture of “who do you like to work with? — no different than for whites.” People who look like you. Once you step outside that Benjamin’s perspective is optimistic; he sees the workplace umbrella, stereotypes break down. as more open and accepting today: “Large firms are We need to be accepted for who we are, not what we look now fairly diversified. Clients and the marketplace now like.” NABA “will continue to grow, not only in accounting seek diversity” in service providers. “There are no extra but in all aspects of business — finance, economics, etc.,” hurdles.” However, the fact that large corporations are he predicted, and by “embracing other people — not only generally white and black businesses are comparatively blacks.” The more people of any background who are small means that black accountants still face limits on committed to inclusion, diversity and equality, the better success — one reason to start a business of one’s own, for all, he said. he noted. “We were a major firm in the African American Regardless of the nature of today’s challenges and the community, supporting causes and creating opportunities level of diversity in the workplace, McNamee said, “there for others.” will always be a need for an organization like NABA; racism According to Gibson, “Current challenges include will never completely die. We must remain alert. As soon increasing the number of black people in leadership as you think it’s beat, it rears its ugly head again.” ▲ positions in majority firms and continuing to build our own competitive firms. We continue to have a duty to encourage students to enter the profession, get the proper training, and put themselves in a place where they can advance.” For Biggett, things have not changed enough for minorities aiming to rise in the profession. SPRING 2019 | SPECTRUM 11

ELDEST SON A LT E R N AT I V E INVESTMENTS ADVISING STUDENTS M E D I TAT I O N M A R AT H O N S Sean PwC Manager There’s what you do. Then there’s why you do it. For Sean, curiosity is everything. It’s why he enjoys learning about other people, other cultures and other ways of life. Why he immerses himself in the technical detail of hedge funds. Why he uses meditation to sharpen his focus. And why he’s interested in guiding the careers of college students through the National Association of Black Accountants. Sean’s distinct perspective enriches our culture and the service we provide our clients. Look at his resume and you can see what he’s done. Look at his life, and you can see why. pwc.com/diversity © 2018 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership. All rights reserved. We are proud to be an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer.

Read it. Click it. Get it. science| |atretsch&|deensgiginne|emrinagth TOPCUONLIVLEERGSEISTI&ES STEMFAINLLCG/WRRINEATEADRS2UI0NA18GTES CAREERAFODVRAMNILCLEEMNENNIATLSS HJOO2F0OBTR1S9 TOPWINTESRP/TSPrERoINMgG 2r-0a1F9mriesndly RODRAIGLUEEXZMWADOWKIIRNVKOGFROEKRRCESITY TO FBRUOSMINEBSASSESUBAPELLRNSTOAVRA DR. MAE JEMISONTBeOucCwshMyibnnyeeetrrhsssesscurity Empowering STEM Education BlackWBENCSprWinTgOH2C0A1KE9TRNYTOOIWFUICANABETOEIODUNTEOEJournalTHE EMPLOYMENT & ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE YofourrTEomdapylo’syDmievenrts,eB-uAsbinleedssCaonmdmEudnuictaytion Magazine TBHOEDEFWNIAOVEREKFRFIOTSRSECE BBEESSTTOF THE INSDPUESCTIFRIYC SprinIgn/SGuBmcmouelur 2os0s1i9ndioenfsosirs GRoivbeinnsSTFAONRDWINOGMUEPN MEAinllCetFrneohnprciraaeelnnfeogur res U.S.VETERANVOSBM A G A Z BIecoNminEg aorProviding MAYZSAOYOINDAdvocacy Through Humor O p p o SrPt RuInNiGt ies 2019 Employment DVBE & Business, HONOR SDVOBMedal of ISSUE RICHARD RAWLINGSHToMraCwinliivttsaoillairaytneInStkoills SPRING 2019 LiTfUeOnaivtPearsity BESTOF THE On a Mission for Vets BESTINSDPUESCTIFRIYC CHJOIPAGNANIANE&SACHIEVING A WORK-LIFE BALANCE DiversityComm is proud to sponsor NABA Download your complimentary issue: https://www.blackeoejournal.com/NABA2019 Join the Conversation!

iWnOLMeEaNdOeFrsNhAiBpA Women are changing the face of leadership in business, and By Maya Francis some former board chairs of NABA are no exception. PEARSON RAMONA PEARSON, CPA, KIM GRIFFIN-HUNTER, CPA RUSSELL CRPC (chairman, 1985-87), is the owner (chairman, 2003-2004), is the managing of Ramona H. Pearson, CPA, P.C., which partner of Deloitte South Florida, where AVANT focuses on tax compliance; Business Office she leads a multidisciplinary group of Consultants, LLC, which provides financial professionals representing Audit, Risk and HGRUINFFTIENR- management consulting services; and the Financial Advisory, Tax and Consulting Pearson Group, LLC (dba Health, Wealthy, Services. In addition, as the East Region SKILLERN Wise, LLC), which specializes in individual Health Care market leader, she mobilizes financial services and products. Her career Deloitte’s partners and resources to solve spans more than 30 years and she continues clients’ complex issues. In her client service to serve a wide range of governmental roles, she enhances client business value agencies, educational institutions, nonprofit through large-scale transformations, organizations and individuals in eight states. including cost reduction, revenue cycle, finance, digital and automation and mergers GRETA RUSSELL, CPA, CGMA and acquisitions advisory services. (chairman, 1988-1990), recently retired as GWENDOLYN SKILLERN, the controller for the Ohio State University, where she directed the university’s CPA (chairman, 2006-2008), retired in April Divisions of Accounting, Accounts Payable, 2018 as chief audit executive of CareFirst Cost Allocation, Financial Training and BlueShield, a not-for-profit managed health- Documentation, Systems Development, Tax, care insurance company, where she served Asset Management, Equipment Surplus and as senior vice president and general auditor. Travel. She formerly served as comptroller At CareFirst, she was responsible for directing of the Ohio State Treasurer’s Office and internal audit services for all essential as the assistant vice president at Buckeye operations. During her career, she has held Federal Savings & Loan. She is the recipient various positions in public accounting, of the Honorary Doctorate of Community corporate finance and internal auditing, and Leadership from Franklin University and has also served as a partner with Williams Adley had an endowment created in her name. & Co. (San Francisco) and owner/operator of her own CPA firm in Oakland, California. She ANGELA AVANT, CPA, CGMA began her career with Deloitte, Haskins & Sells in San Francisco. (chairman, 1994-1997), is president of Enterprise Advisory Solutions, a multifaceted These short bios represent only business and financial management a fraction of these women’s firm. She is a former president and chief experience. They have all held executive officer of NABA, where she led the numerous leadership and board development of the association’s strategic positions in NABA, as well as in the plan. She has served as partner, Internal community and in the profession. Audit, Risk and Compliance Services, Spectrum interviewed them on the partner-in-charge of diversity, and director, subject of leadership and they had Management Assurance Services for KPMG. plenty to say. Prior to that, Avant was the inspector general of the District of Columbia and held management positions at Corning Inc. and Arthur Andersen. 14 SPECTRUM | SPRING 2019

SPECTRUM: What specifically prepared you for SKILLERN: I joined the San Francisco Bay Area chapter leadership in NABA? of NABA upon graduation from graduate school. At my first chapter meeting, I was appointed chapter secretary PEARSON: Destiny (I was destined to lead) and desire by NABA icons Ralph Grant and Donald White. Thus, I was put me on that road. There also was encouragement of the given the opportunity to lead at the start of my NABA NABA pioneers –­­both local (such as Benjamin L. King Sr.) journey and was mentored by NABA greats over the and national. Positions as a local leader (treasurer, then course of my career. I went on to hold every leadership chapter president) of NABA and then a national leader position in the SFBA chapter, and served as Western (director, treasurer, then chairman) were all important in Region director and on the NABA National Board prior to becoming NABA’s national leader. Specifically, observing serving as NABA board chair. Having the opportunity to the behavior of our pioneering leadership – Cecil Flamer, work with passionate NABA members across the country Paula Cholmondeley, Julia Richie, Tom Watson, Tom on a variety of projects, tasks and committees to improve McCrae, and the list goes on – was most impactful. opportunities for our members and the profession allowed me to develop and enhance my leadership skills. In RUSSELL: I joined NABA at the mid-point of my career, addition, my undergraduate degree in business from UC so I had previous leadership experience. However, getting Berkeley and an MBA from Stanford University gave me a involved as a founding member of the Columbus chapter sound foundation in accounting and finance and taught and serving in several leadership roles in the chapter important critical thinking skills. leading up to president, and then serving as a regional vice SPECTRUM: How did leadership in NABA prepare you president, prepared me to serve as national president. for leadership in the profession? Serving in my local chapter, and then participating on the regional and national levels allowed me to understand PEARSON: There is no doubt that being a youthful (at how NABA functioned and also to build strong professional the time) leader in a national organization put me ahead relationships with other leaders in the organization across of the curve in terms of comfortableness with being in the country, which helped me succeed in leadership. the boardroom. One thing that was noticed early in my national NABA career is that the NABA national leaders AVANT: What prepared me was the collective had no gray hair compared to our counterparts in the larger society of the profession (AICPA, MACPA). In fact, I impact of a solid education, my experiences and roles would almost say that exposure to NABA may have given at Andersen, Corning, and as the inspector general of the larger organizations of the profession the impetus to the District of Columbia, the support of my employers take on younger folks to their leadership. Much like Tiger (monetary and administrative) coupled with my desire to changed golf, I think we changed the profession’s attitude make a difference, and my “can-do” attitude. In addition, about younger folk in the boardroom. my NABA colleagues provided me a family away from home that expanded and broadened my network and reach, that cared about my success, and that I could go to for those “questions” and provided me all the vision, RUSSELL: Being in NABA, both on a local and national direction and energy needed to reach for the stars and level, helped me build many strong relationships through achieve my heart’s desires. serving on numerous boards and committees with other leaders across the country. I became active in AICPA, GRIFFIN-HUNTER: My upbringing and education was selected to serve on the Ohio Board of Accountancy helped me build the confidence and skill set needed and served in leadership roles with both organizations. for leadership roles and a successful career. As an only Locally, I served as treasurer of political campaigns and was child, I was given a lot of time and focus by my parents. I selected to serve on both city and state commissions as a was treated as an adult from the beginning. Building on result of my leadership in the Columbus Chapter. that foundation of confidence, I got involved in school groups including high school student government and AVANT: NABA provided a safe place to identify and college sorority initiatives. After graduation, I sought out community organizations to contribute my skills and develop/refine my gaps essential to becoming and being was naturally attracted to NABA so that I could inspire a successful leader in the profession. While I was able to other people of color to pursue a career in accounting. bring skills to NABA from my experiences in the profession It was there that I met an African American partner at a in early leadership roles in NABA, my experiences as a professional services firm, which I did not realize existed national leader provided me the opportunity to develop before joining NABA. and/or refine a number of skills that would serve to enhance my overall leadership profile and continued success potential. NABA also provided me a broader platform to demonstrate my commitment to and passion SPRING 2019 | SPECTRUM 15

iWnOLMeEaNdOeFrsNhAiBpA for diversity, equity and inclusion in the profession, as well SPECTRUM: Have there been challenges as a as being of service/giving back, and to helping others to be woman leader? their best. While not planned, my appointment and return to NABA PEARSON: There were no challenges in NABA as a as president and chief executive officer allowed me to woman leader. I think that is rooted in the strong role bring back the totality of my experiences and skills gained the mother plays in the African American community. I as a leader in our profession and as a leader and volunteer definitely received different treatment as auditor general in NABA and other organizations. Ultimately, I believe it and emergency financial manager in the City of Highland has been a win-win for me personally, and for NABA and all Park, Michigan. By different, I mean not as many privileges, of the organizations that I have served. also questioned, ignored and subject to end-around GRIFFIN-HUNTER: I began my professional career strategies, etc. It’s as old as the Bible, but we simply have at Deloitte over 30 years ago and the NABA chapter to continue to fight these tendencies from generation to was an integral part of my professional development. generation. Getting involved with the organization early in my career provided an amazing opportunity to build and shape my RUSSELL: The challenge earlier in my career was that professional and personal relationships. Serving on NABA I was often the only woman – or one of very few women committees and boards inspired me to start building – in many of the rooms I was in, and the challenge has diversity in the workplace, and I encouraged others to do always been equal pay and being equally respected. I the same within their organization. consistently observe that men are given respect initially My experience serving on committees and as board chair, and have to lose it, while women have to earn it from the presenting in front of peers, and resolving conflicts all start. contributed to my professional development. The extent of my involvement in NABA was one of my differentiators AVANT: Very early in my career, a partner who when I was being considered for partner at Deloitte. SKILLERN: Serving in my various roles in NABA, I had I worked very closely with for a long time told me, the opportunity to develop my leadership, communication, “Remember, sometimes you will need to toot your own facilitation and technical accounting skills in a safe horn.” I understood what he was saying. However, at environment. NABA also exposed me to a diverse group of the time, and even as I progressed in the firm, I often personalities, ethnic backgrounds, and business models. felt that as a woman, particularly a black woman, no As a chapter, regional and national officer working with matter how obvious the impact/results/accomplishments corporate sponsors, I enhanced my marketing and fund were as leaders, acknowledgement/recognition was development skills and had the opportunity to engage with not comparable to that bestowed upon men of all corporate executives individually and at the NABA regional ethnicities. The guys didn’t necessarily have to “toot the and national conferences. All of my NABA experiences horn” since they were the majority and predominantly enhanced my ability to successfully own and operate a the leaders. While the percentages of female graduates CPA firm, attain positions of increased responsibility in and new hires in our profession and the business world public accounting, and successfully navigate in corporate as a whole are leveling out, retention and advancement America. Also, I was able to apply these skills in my to the executive ranks continue to represent an area volunteer work in the community serving on numerous ripe with opportunities for improvement. The woman nonprofit boards over the course of my career. NABA affinity groups in place in most firms and businesses also facilitated the development of lifelong friends and today have great programs and have certainly made a colleagues, always willing to counsel, mentor, open doors difference. Unfortunately, as I look at the successes across of opportunity and cheer me on over the course of my all ethnicities of women, in the firms and business sector career. In fact, such NABA greats as Cecil Flamer and Larry as a whole, there are significant disparities. As all people Bailey provided invaluable guidance and assistance to me are not treated equal, nor are all women. There are still in obtaining the chief audit executive position and over the challenges, thus opportunities, related to unconscious course of my tenure. bias, equality, inclusiveness and belonging. Until there is visible progress for all women, there is no progress. 16 SPECTRUM | SPRING 2019

iWnOLMeEaNdOeFrsNhAiBpA So, ladies, reach out and support, empower another SPECTRUM: How do corporations, government, woman. If we, as women, all women, formed a true educational institutions and other entities sisterhood, built on the basic principles to support and benefit by including women in leadership? empower each other, our Girl Power, Girl Magic will truly show its rightful place at all levels, across all sectors and PEARSON: A significant part of the consumer base industries. That would be true diversity, equality and is female, and our leadership is helpful in addressing inclusion. the needs and concerns of female audiences as well as GRIFFIN-HUNTER: Deliberate Voice: Female voices the audience of non-adults and young adults. Most will can sometimes be harder to hear at the table – some admit women are “wired” different from men and that is women may be silent in their agreement while men are important in obtaining a broader view or opinion on all typically more boisterous with acclaim. I’ve learned over matters of business and life. Women are a large part of the years to be very deliberate with speech, so that each the workforce and customer world. Having women leaders word has meaning, and I am creating a deliberate and helps address those markets’ needs. distinctive voice. RUSSELL: Women bring a different perspective than Having an integrated life: Let’s face it, we all have a men, which ultimately leads to better decision-making and personal life and need to find the right balance between better outcomes overall. I believe that diversity in opinions home matters and business. As a partner with the largest and perspectives always leads to better results. Plus, professional services firm in the world, a devoted mother women comprise half of the population; so why would and wife, and serving as the CEO of my family, I have you want to eliminate half of the talent and skill in any learned to juggle. Exposing the caring side while needing profession? to be a strong leader sometimes creates an image paradox GRIFFIN-HUNTER: It’s no coincidence that I have of “demanding yet caring” in work versus life. remained at Deloitte for more than 30 years. Our values Gender Inclusion: Deloitte creates a sense of belonging align and Deloitte has consistently fostered my growth. and inclusion in the workplace. We were the first In my personal experience, Deloitte understands that professional services organization to establish women’s inclusive leadership empowers people with actionable and diversity initiatives, in 1993. With that commitment steps on how they can personalize, identify, model, and and leadership from the top, standards evolved in the advance business objectives. workplace. Deloitte was the first of the Big Four to elect a woman SKILLERN: I am hopeful that times have progressed CEO, a minority CEO, a woman CEO of a large consulting from when I started in the profession as only one of a organization, a minority chairman, and a woman chairman. few women in my firm and as I was rising through the The leadership commitment and innovative thinking leadership ranks. However, I wonder if the racism and have landed us on several best-places-to-work lists, sexism are simply harder to recognize, especially in including Working Mother’s 100 Best Companies and Best organizations making diversity an imperative in their Companies for Working Mothers and the FORTUNE 100 corporate culture. In my role as chief audit executive, Best Companies to Work For®. as a woman, I felt that my authority was challenged For the past four years, more than 50 percent of new more and my credibility questioned more than my male partners, principals, and managing directors have been counterparts’. As our parents schooled us, if you are black women and/or minorities. Currently, more than 50 percent you must be 10 times better, I felt the same challenge as of our Board of Directors are women and/or minorities. a woman executive, especially in my role as chief audit Why does inclusion matter to an employer? Studies by executive where I often had to inform primarily white such groups as the Alliance for Board Diversity and the male executives that processes in their departments National Association of Corporate Directors suggest that represented control and business risks to the company, organizations with inclusive cultures are more likely to which required corrective action. In addition, as a woman, meet or exceed financial targets, are high-performing, and communication and negotiation skills are critical as you achieve better business outcomes.  must maintain your composure and professionalism or run the risk of being labeled “aggressive” or “angry.” SPRING 2019 | SPECTRUM 17

iWnOLMeEaNdOeFrsNhAiBpA This is because happy employees are typically more may not be your mentor and the individuals in these roles motivated and diverse business teams better align with may change over time. Finally, get involved. Whether it client composition. is through your company’s employee network groups, SKILLERN: Women bring a unique perspective to the NABA, or outside community activities, find a way to give workplace not often possessed by their male counterparts, back. Success comes through hard work, and by being which contributes to diversity in thought leadership and passionate about everything that you do. As the saying problem solving in the workplace. In addition, I believe goes, if you love what you do, you will never work a day in that women have more nurturing tendencies, which your life. I am a witness to that. results in a more inspiring and motivational culture within GRIFFIN-HUNTER: Be deliberate in developing your their teams and the company. core skill set and build relationships with a wide range of SPECTRUM: What advice do you have for women practitioners. Career progression is not linear and having in accounting who aspire to be leaders in their a broad network will be beneficial on a winding, and respective organizations. sometimes long, road. Keep in mind, there should also be give and take in relationships; sometimes you’ll find PEARSON: Sometimes leaders just fall into place. giving is more fulfilling than receiving. While building your Most of the time it requires some self-grooming. In career, I believe it’s important to remain true to yourself our profession, one needs to know the business that and your values because at the end of the day, the level they are in – public accounting, corporate accounting, of happiness you feel in your career will contribute either management, etc. Learn what it means to lead and be positively or negatively to your success. responsible for others and outcomes. Hone in on soft SKILLERN: Above all, you must be highly competent skills – sharpen them. Shore up your communications and possess a high level of skills in accounting, but also abilities, verbal and written. Learn the non-business work in risk management, business processes, consulting, environment and how to negotiate it. Find out who you negotiating and leadership. In addition, women must learn can trust in the organization and who you cannot. Show to be political in the workplace, recognizing who in the that you care about others and can work with others. organization are powerbrokers. This starts with the CEO, Show that you are willing to take the risks associated however, you must also learn who are the key influencers with influence and leading. Pick opportunities to shine and ensure that you have a good working relationship for the decision-makers; this assumes you have learned with them. This can be accomplished by delivering value- how the ascension of leaders takes place (i.e., sponsors/ added services, as well as cultivating mentor/champion mentors). Every organization is different as each individual relationships. Women often find it challenging to tie into in organizations is different. Leaders possess an awareness the political network of an organization as we sometimes and enable their success. Don’t give up on yourself. may feel that we do not have much in common with our peers, in particular in white male dominated organizations. RUSSELL: Aspiring leaders should certainly look This may require you to expand your interests to gain more to build their leadership experience and skill through exposure to your counterparts, such as learning to play organizations like NABA, and to develop professional golf. The business environment is also changing as more relationships through being active on boards, committees women attain leadership positions in their organizations. and other community work. It goes without saying that However, as I tell my daughter, who is a manager in a being a leader requires doing excellent work and staying major corporation, just be aware of what is going on on the leading edge of the industry with your skills and around you. capabilities. SPECTRUM: As a leader, how have you fulfilled NABA’s motto:  Lifting As We Climb? AVANT: I offer three pieces of advice. First, focus on PEARSON: I love the NABA motto. My entire career developing your skill set for your area of focus. Continuous success was the execution of the NABA motto. As I said learning and professional development will help you in earlier, every job I ever got was because of a NABA your career. Second, find a mentor who can help you person lifting me as they climbed. I quickly put it to work navigate your career as well as your organization. You will from my end by recruiting employees who look like me, also need a sponsor and a champion. This person may or 18 SPECTRUM | SPRING 2019

iWnOLMeEaNdOeFrsNhAiBpA tutoring would-be accountants who look like me, when life, it’s important to remember my roots and the path I’ve in high positions, contracting with folks with firms whose traveled to be where I am today. I have served as a role employees looked like me, and using my influence to make model and mentor for the next generation, lifting others the larger, white society aware of the barriers to entry and up and encouraging them to use their voice. I feel strongly upward movement people of color suffer in the workplace. about giving advice each day that may positively position That also may have meant chastising folks who looked like another in the workplace. In addition, it’s important to me to do their part to be ready for the opportunity, but the open doors and make introductions for others, giving them proof comes every time someone walks up to me and says the opportunity to shine. Simply put, I find the time to do “thank you for employing me, thank you for referring me, it every day – sometimes in small ways, sometimes in large thank you for remembering our firm, thank you for helping ways. It all matters. me with that license situation, or thank you for helping my SKILLERN: Throughout my professional career as I son, or daughter or whomever.” I hear it all the time. progressed in my responsibilities, I hired, mentored and And the Lifting as we climb has results in many, many promoted black accountants. In addition, I mentored lifelong relationships that still exist. I am so grateful and NABA professionals across the country throughout their thankful for NABA and all who have been a part of it and careers, in some instances meeting them while they loved it and lived out its motto. I know I have been a were high school or college students, many of whom are beneficiary of it, and there are thousands of others who now corporate executives, business owners or partners would admit the same. in CPA firms. I fondly refer to them as my NABA sons RUSSELL: I have always been very active with bringing and daughters. One example is Okorie Ramsey, who I young people into the accounting profession and helping met when he was in high school. Okorie is now a senior young people succeed. For years, I have been active with executive with Kaiser Permanente. Also, as owner and Junior Achievement and the ACAP Ohio program, annually operator of my CPA firm and as a partner in a minority sponsoring the awards for the case competition. In fact, CPA firm, I hired and mentored young professionals to the motto Lifting As We Climb was the tagline I used during achieve success. In addition, having lived in California, my NABA presidency before it was adopted as the motto Georgia and now Maryland, I always support the local for the organization. I believe that you’re only successful in NABA chapter with my time, talent and financial resources, the No. 1 position if you’ve prepared someone else in the as evidenced by the appreciation and service awards that No. 2 position to succeed as well. Helping others succeed I have received from the San Francisco Bay Area, Atlanta is the very essence of who I am as a person and as an and Baltimore NABA chapters. In addition, by volunteering accountant. in the community working with nonprofit organizations, I GRIFFIN-HUNTER: Every day and in every interaction, have secured funding for organizations, served as officers I can lift people up. I believe that no matter where I go in and members of boards of directors and positively impacted the lives of those less fortunate. ▲ SPRING 2019 | SPECTRUM 19



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NABA/DOF Members Find Fulfillment, CHALLENGES IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP By Ruth E. Thaler-Carter An important factor in Walker’s success as an entrepreneur is that “I prepared a business plan and defined my goals For many NABA members, going out on their and objectives for the business,” she said. “The most own as entrepreneurs is an enticing dream. important factor in preparing for business ownership Whether feeling blocked from progress in the is having the money to support your business until you corporate world or ready for flexibility and develop a client base.” balance between work and personal lives, Walker’s business offers a “range of services that they are forging their own paths as owners of includes financial-related and performance auditing, accounting businesses rather than working compliance auditing, financial analysis, and operational in-house for someone else. Here’s how reviews,” she said. “Our professionals bring creativity to longtime members of NABA and the Division each assignment, with fresh ideas grounded in rigorous of Firms Inc., a national nonprofit organization factual analysis and continued from strategy through of African American CPA firms, are thriving implementation. The firm has worked on financial, as business owners. compliance, and performance audits for nonprofit organizations, school districts, colleges and universities, EMMA S. WALKER, CPA, CFE and state and local agencies. These audits or agreed- upon procedure projects have addressed the compliance “Leaving corporate America to start with federal and state laws, contractual obligations, a business of my own was exciting, regulations and statutes by third-party vendors, although it was also very demanding independent contractors, other government agencies, and required a lot of planning and and other organizations.” startup time,” said Emma S. Walker, Establishing a strong perspective was also key. “Our CPA, CFE, who founded her firm in objective is to provide quality auditing, tax, and 1982. It helped that “I had already developed a network management services to our clients. We apply our by serving on nonprofit boards, was an active member knowledge and understanding of the issues to help in the Chambers of Commerce (majority and minority), solve problems, maximize opportunities, and implement and attended local entrepreneur workshops and business changes while encouraging clients to leverage our symposiums,” she recalled. For research and information resources to the fullest.” to the profession, “I talked to several black CPAs in private Going out on her own had its challenges, even with practice.” careful research and planning beforehand. “The greatest challenge as a minority business is maintaining staff,” said 22 SPECTRUM | SPRING 2019 Walker. “It is hard to compete with benefits and salaries

offered by larger accounting firms.” While she would like to “[C]ontributing to and giving back offer opportunities to young people starting out and does … allows our firm to provide value- support her local NABA chapter’s scholarship fund in light added services to our clientele.” of the Lifting As We Climb motto, “as a small minority firm, I only hire experienced accountants. I do not have the resources King spent 15 years in the corporate world before to train graduates entering the accounting profession.” returning home to Baltimore to help the family firm What has made a difference in the longevity and success of make the transition from first- to second-generation her firm, Walker said, has been “providing quality service and management and ownership. Today, 62 years since its being knowledgeable in the areas of service rendered. I was inception, KKA is a family-owned, regional professional determined not to give up on my dream of being a business services and consulting firm serving clients throughout the owner, so I have to be competent and dependable to get clients Baltimore-Washington, DC region, providing multifaceted, and maintain them. I learned to take (the business) one day at full-service accounting and consulting services in a time.” accounting, assurance, tax compliance, and technology Walker’s advice to colleagues who are thinking about consulting, and business advisory services. becoming entrepreneurs is straightforward and reflects King attributes the firm’s longevity and success to, “in a her process: “Talk to several individuals who are in private nutshell, professionalism and client service.” In fact, he practice to get an idea of some of the challenges and said, “the firm’s first client in 1957 is still a client today! obstacles they encountered; make sure you have the To me, that says a lot.” Working collaboratively has also financial resources or a source to obtain financial support played a part. “We have been successful in growing our for the business; develop a marketing plan or strategy for market share within this metropolitan area by partnering the growth of the business and how to market yourself; and participating in teaming arrangements with other and don’t give up if it is your desire to be a business firms to secure various engagements in the state and local owner.” government arena,” King said. That is only one way in which KKA has faced challenges ANTHONY G. KING, CPA, CGMA in keeping the entrepreneurial business going over the years, including changes in how business gets done. “We For Anthony G. (Tony) King, CPA, operate in an environment that is highly competitive with CGMA, a partner in King, King & respect to differentiation among regional and local CPA Associates, P.A. (KKA), in Baltimore, firms,” said King. “The proliferation of, and advancements Maryland, entrepreneurship is all in, technology over the years has enabled CPA firms to in the family. His introduction to expand and deliver services beyond a ‘home base.’ For the concept began when he was example, our business and individual tax clients are located 16 years old and his father told him that “if you want in approximately 15 states across the country and also to get your driver’s license, you have to come to my include a handful of expatriate U.S. citizens living abroad. office and work on weekends and holidays.” That meant Twenty years ago, delivery of these services would have going to work for Benjamin L. King, CPA, Maryland’s first been problematic from a technology perspective.” African American CPA (1957). “After spending my high King sees minority-owned firms as important to the ability school and undergraduate college years working for the of newcomers to the profession to find career paths that ‘family CPA firm,’ I transitioned to corporate America in senior management positions in Atlanta, New York, and SPRING 2019 | SPECTRUM 23 Charlotte,” he said.

might not be available in larger corporate settings. “Many government and not-for-profit organizations. The of the minority-controlled CPA firms provide opportunities firm’s goal is “to provide the highest quality of timely for new hires to participate in the firm’s entire service professional service to our clients,” she said. “We are lines of business,” he said. “Unlike many of the Big 4 and committed to extending our services to areas that larger national firms, many of our minority-owned firms do not return an immediate financial yield. These will not have the requirement to be assigned to a specific extensions into youth and other community efforts functional area, such as audit, tax, or consulting.” serve as a constant reminder to the partners and staff Commitment to that entrepreneurial spirit is essential of the circumstances “from whence we came. We live to success, in King’s eyes, along with creativity and and work the mandate to lift as we climb.” collaboration. “Perseverance! Think outside the box in your methods of service delivery! Be open to reaching We live and work the out to seasoned firm owners and develop partnering mandate to lift as we climb.” relationships, where possible, with well-established firms.” KKA lives the Lifting As We Climb motto through consistent Smith attributes her success to “being blessed with participation in and support of local chapter NABA a loving family and friends, and the opportunity to activities, providing scholarship funds to the chapter for work with wonderful people like my partners Ralph third- and fourth-year accounting majors, and donating J. Grant, CPA, JD, Ravinder Singh, CPA, and Miranda pro-bono services to local business incubators and small- Beasley, CPA, and learning audit by working with business resource development centers. Charlie Adams, CPA, Don White, CPA, and associates and staff who each share the goal of helping CHARLENE R. SMITH, CPA our clients to prosper in decision-making factors concerning their economic and social welfare.” Charlene R. Smith, CPA, a partner While her path may have been different, Smith’s who has been with Grant & challenges and rewards have been similar. “The Smith, LLP, for 40 years, moved to greatest challenge is competing with majority firms,” entrepreneurship after witnessing she said. Over the years, “daily changes in technology what she saw as unfairness and the decreasing number of blacks with accounting experienced by minority majors” have been among the changes she has seen. businesses. “After graduating from UC Berkeley, my “Rewards include being a primary firm in the Oakland first job was at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as East Bay Area that has provided the training for many a field revenue agent,” she said. “Too often, I saw minority accountants to become CPAs and helping the small-business minority owner not get the same them to start their own businesses; seeing our staff kind of settlements that the non-minority companies and clients, and their families, grow and prosper received, because they did not have an accountant over the years,” she said. The firm also has invested or CPA representing them. It was on one of those 40 years of supporting Oakland youth baseball and days that Ralph J. Grant called to ask who was ready NABA’s scholarships, and 25 years in supporting to leave the IRS. On his second call, I agreed to resign a high school program, the Accounting Career from the IRS and join the CPA firm of then-Adams, Awareness Program (ACAP) — we continue to work Grant, White & Co. (Charlie A. Adams, Ralph J. Grant, with organizations that encourage youth and peers to and Donald R. White).” A deciding factor, she recalled, was that “I would have an opportunity to help minority-owned firms in tax return preparation, planning, and representation before the IRS.” She became a partner in four years. Smith’s department prepares returns for individuals, corporations, trusts, and not-for-profit organizations. The firm also provides tax preparation, accounting, and audits for large corporations and multi-state franchise restaurant businesses, and audits for 24 SPECTRUM | SPRING 2019

believe in their best and open doors of opportunity because mainstream firms hire black accountants rather than setting obstacles to success.” more now than in the past and provide increasing Minority-owned firms provide important resources opportunities. “There might even be fewer African for members of NABA, according to Smith: “the same American-owned accounting firms than in the as any other CPA firm, including the opportunity to 1990s,” he said. “The younger generation doesn’t earn their CPA license and work with caring people.” want to pick up the burden.” Smith’s advice to colleagues thinking about becoming Part of Willie’s business philosophy is that “we entrepreneurs is to be prepared for life without paid aggressively go after [new employees] on college vacations, and to “set your goals for your professional campuses,” he said. “We don’t hire at the top of the and personal life. Know what it will cost. Decide and firm. If we don’t give young people an opportunity, stay the course.” who will?” Though his initial advice to colleagues thinking about GEORGE WILLIE, CPA, CGMA starting their own accounting or financial services firms is “Run!” and “Be prepared for a long drought,” Willie still There was no special training or sees opportunity in entrepreneurship. “Be technically preparation for George Willie, CPA, strong, take care of your clients, and demonstrate loyalty,” CGMA, managing partner with he said. “Join NABA in college, as well as AICPA and state Bert Smith & Co., to become an societies. Be involved. Teach and speak.” entrepreneur. “I was thrust into Willie credits his success and longevity in business to this role,” he said. “I saw myself as a commitment to accounting and to building a legacy working in economics,” he said, but “I did a stint in of service. His contributions to entrepreneurship public accounting after my undergraduate work and in the profession can be seen not only in his NABA I found my love. I was teaching when I decided that involvement, but in AICPA’s new Private Companies public accounting was where I belonged.” Practice Section (PCPS), which will co-sponsor one Willie, who was one of the first black accountants student for an internship during the 2020 tax season in the country to earn the CPA, sees having the and award up to $20,000 per student to assist with right skillset and attitude as the success factor tuition in their final year of school. for entrepreneurs. “If you are technically strong, AICPA created the program in Willie’s honor and you can make the pivot,” he said. “I was totally recognition of his service as a former chair of AICPA’s unprepared, but I learned to cope, especially where PCPS Executive Committee and the AICPA Minority blacks and black CPA firms were not accepted. We Initiatives Committee. “Throughout his over 35-year were seen as a sideshow.” career, Willie has promoted the benefits of a career What drives Willie is a determination to “create a in accounting to students and young professionals in legacy,” he said. As part of that commitment to the pursuit of the CPA designation,” according to AICPA. future, he supports not only people of color but “The George Willie program is one of the ways women in the profession as well. “We’re the only firm AICPA is working to broaden the pipeline of talent with 80 percent of compensation going to women.” entering the profession. A more diverse and inclusive Willie’s business philosophy is, in part, to encourage profession will be better equipped to address the shifts the younger generation. “I am a cross between in entrepreneurial capital that will result from these Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X,” he said of the changing demographics in the U.S.” example he sets for newcomers to the profession. “I To Willie, success and longevity in business come would love to be the auditor and adviser for every down to a commitment to accounting and to building African American business. How we look at things is a legacy of service. “I strongly believe in the NABA how it should be.” motto of Lifting As We Climb,” he said. “You won’t The challenges of being a minority business leader or find a more dedicated member.” ▲ owner continue, according to Willie, perhaps in part SPRING 2019 | SPECTRUM 25

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GOING GLOBAL MSCI’s Ross Says Working Abroad Can Broaden Horizons By Maya Francis “Having a family, your priorities are different and you’re worrying, first and foremost, that your family is having a With two stints in international offices, “Having a family, your priorities are different and you’re Michael Ross, executive director, MSCI (and worrying, first and foremost, that your family is having a the son of NABA co-founder Frank Ross), has good time and enjoying the experience. What’s healthcare had a career rich with diverse opportunities like? It was much different having a child out there than and experiences. For four years, Ross, then here.” Other considerations that international employees a finance associate at JP Morgan, traded the should consider are the exchange rates and their impact familiarity of his New York office to live on compensation, taxation, personal banking options, across the pond in London. housing and personal storage. Being a manager of a global team, Ross says, helped him “I always knew I wanted to travel and see the world “recognize the team in global team. You can have locations and so working at a global organization, I knew it was a all over but you have to manage people like they’re sitting great opportunity to see the world and see a different right next to you; you have to make sure it’s a two-way street. perspective on things,” Ross recalls. “So, I always made I think I learned to appreciate difference. Americans who sure to network if I ever saw people who worked at other don’t travel much don’t realize how differences can make office locations. I made sure to plant the seed. Working at you stronger. It’s incredible how when I was over in London, a global company made me see that there’s a whole other the perspectives of things, whether socially or professionally world out there. I raised my hand at one point and just said – they had a different perspective, which I would’ve never if anything ever happens, I’m interested. I kept persevering gotten in New York. [It demonstrates] the importance of and the opportunity to go to London came about.” a network. I wouldn’t have had my first chance if I didn’t have a network. I’m staying connected to all these people Ross credits the experience as one that helped him grow in all these different locations. Having a chance to go abroad personally and professionally, and helped to expand his enables you to build on that. And that dovetails into NABA.” worldview. “As [a younger person], it was an opportunity Ross says that the organization can help prepare members to see the world, see the financial industry, see the for international opportunities by connecting people who markets. When you live and go abroad, you realize are abroad. “There’s a strong network of black professionals there are lot of places like New York ­– there are a lots of in [international] locations. [Preparing members is] a epicenters of the workforce in different cities. You have to great way for NABA to broaden its breadth. A lot of these be willing to recognize that you’re the different one as the companies who are institutional partners of NABA, they’re expat. Even among English speakers, just because [we all] international companies. So, it would be great for NABA to spoke English didn’t mean I understood what they were mirror the success of its international partners.” saying half the time.” It’s no surprise that Ross enthusiastically endorses expat life for others. “Explore going abroad to get to expand Ross returned to New York with a VP title. He would leave your career,” he says. “It only makes you a stronger asset again eight years later, in 2010, for Morgan Stanley, this and a stronger professional for your career. Having that time with a wife, children and an executive director title. international experience helped to differentiate me from Whereas before, Ross equipped himself with a basic the next person. And it also helps because I’ve seen things travel book, moving his family required a different type of from a different lens.” ▲ preparation outside of wall plug adapters. SPRING 2019 | SPECTRUM 29

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NABA NEXT MENTORING Seen as Key to By Ruth E. Thaler-Carter Success, Benefit of NABA Evidence-based research has found that whether you While she has a workplace mentor, most of Morgan’s are in business, a student, an athlete, a scientist, or a mentors have been from outside the company, primarily new parent, having a mentor can help you achieve your through NABA. Mentoring leads her to “people whose goals sooner, stay in the job longer, or simply experience attributes I can look up to or for, and who provide career less frustration with work and family matters. NABA advice,” she said. has provided mentoring resources since it began, and members have always seen that aspect of the association For Morgan, mentoring is a two-way street: She not only as invaluable. has mentors, she is one as well. “I see being part of NABA as “It’s always good to have someone you can count on, not only for initial career advice, a way of mentoring,” she said. “In addition to helping but throughout your career — to help a colleague, I’ve found that I can learn from a you work through office politics, difficult mentee who’s in a different line of business. colleagues, making the right decisions, You also have to be on your Ps and Qs to be learning how to develop yourself and a mentor. I use the relationship to practice improve your skills,” said Tysheba L. my coaching skills, so it helps me develop Morgan, CPA, a senior vice president as a leader. This is especially important in the Global Financial Controls because there weren’t very many people Organization of Bank of America in around to show me what I needed to Charlotte, North Carolina, who is also a know and understand. Everyone needs national director of NABA. to have a support system; we can all learn Morgan had the good luck of a mentor in from each other’s mistakes so we don’t the accounting field from her very early days — a make the same ones.” relationship that has lasted essentially throughout her lifetime. “My uncle, who is a CPA, was my mentor,” she Morgan’s advice to colleagues, especially anyone recalled. As the only one of eight siblings to finish college, still in school or just entering the profession, is to “find he was an excellent example of what a determined person a mentor — look for someone already in the profession could achieve. “I was good at math when I was young and before you start your career or go into the profession. You he encouraged me. He’s retired now, but still gives me don’t know what you’re getting into, so try to live through career and life advice.” your mentor to learn what is involved, what it’s like.” Morgan has also benefited from a workplace mentoring program, she noted. “Bank of America has a formal Morgan’s commitment to mentoring and giving back mentoring program,” she said. “It has a database that is extends beyond her workplace. She has worked in the part of a matching process. You can search the database Baltimore, Maryland, area and is a founding board member to find someone based on skills or line of business.” Her of LiL’ Laughs Inc., a nonprofit organization that partners mentor is a finance executive in Consumer Banking; with elementary, middle, and high schools in Baltimore an example of using mentoring to learn about how and uses comedy as a vehicle for developing anti-bullying other parts of a company work and what other kinds of programs. No matter what, Morgan said, newcomers to the information might be useful. profession or a company should remember to return the gift of mentoring. “It’s always important to give back,” she said — to live the NABA motto of Lifting As We Climb by helping others on that upward path. ▲ SPRING 2019 | SPECTRUM 31

NABA NEXT OUTSTANDING STUDENTS: Clement Oliver, Malik Dedner, Brionna Bryant By Maya Francis Clement Oliver, Malik Dedner and Brionna Bryant (Left) Clement Oliver are just three of many NABA outstanding student (Top) Malik Dedner members. They each volunteered at the 2018 Central (Bottom) Brionna Bryant Region Student Conference and a cursory review of their resumes shows an impressive list of accomplishments When it comes to the CPA, they and leadership roles. all agree on the importance of the Oliver’s foray into accounting started with an intent to certification in their professional goals. become a surgeon. “I had participated in a high school medical program “I am actually sitting for the CPA right now, and it can be the summer before my senior year to shadow doctors perplexing at times, but enlightening when the pieces in multiple fields,” he says. “But when I got to college, I start to come together from previous classes,” says realized I did not want to be in school for that long.” His Dedner. “I plan on taking it far before I graduate with my experience as the finance manager for his school store, master’s in accounting, and ideally three parts before my coupled with some encouragement from mentors, told August 3 start date. I would be satisfied if I only had one him how accounting was the language of business, which more to take after my start date.” led him to his new career path. Dedner was similarly encouraged. “Honestly, I wanted my CPA to climb up the ladder of Bryant was bitten by the business bug a little earlier in success in public accounting, but it was something I told life. “As far back as I can remember, I remember having a myself I was going to get and I am trying to keep my cash register as a toy when I was a child. Since then I’ve word,” Dedner continues, stressing its importance to always liked money, which turned into my passion for him in relation to “what a lot of my ancestors sacrificed business, she says. Bryant went on to choose business for me to be able to get an education and have an as her major in college, following enrollment in business opportunity to obtain my CPA.” and accounting coursework as a high school student. Bryant, Dedner, and Oliver have held offices in their Oliver plans to take his exams post-graduation. “I NABA chapters at Eastern Michigan University, University was fortunate to receive a full-time offer to work in of Arkansas-Fayetteville, and University of Cincinnati, Risk Assurance at PricewaterhouseCoopers,” he says. respectively. Aside from their multiple scholarships, each “Because I will already have 150 credits when I graduate student also serves as a peer mentor, working to tutor this spring, I won’t be attending grad school. For me, I fellow students, including those who are on academic believe it is important to obtain my CPA license because probation. of where it will start me off in my career. I am not “Entering into college I knew that I wanted to join at least completely certain on where or how I want to end my two organizations,” Bryant says. “One to do with the career, so I believe having my CPA would give a large black community and another to do with my major. I was variety of options.” ecstatic to have found NABA and they welcomed me with opened arms.” 32 SPECTRUM | SPRING 2019

NABA NEXT “I plan to pursue my CPA concluding graduate “Look beyond the coursework,” Oliver adds. “The school,” Bryant says. “It is important not only because knowledge gained from understanding accounting is representation matters but because it is a prestigious priceless and the perseverance to get through the classes certification and will be a great tool to leverage my career (they can oftentimes be dry) will pay off.” and assist with job security.” Each student cites the importance of legacy and “My advice for students who would like to pursue a community in their discussion of long-term goals. For career in accounting is to stay the course. There will other students interested in careers in business and be challenges but it’s nothing that with a little grit and accounting, the three advise preparation, planning and grind that you can’t make it though. Also, find a strong persistence. team and support system, including professors, advisors, “Make sure you have a plan mapped out and not mentors, professionals and classmates. These will be the necessarily for your life or the next five years, but at people who will be there to coach you and to lift you as least for the next 30 days,” Dedner says. “That way you you climb through this journey.” ▲ have something to focus on. Don’t run from the hard accounting teachers, because they actually help give you a boost for the CPA when you start studying. NEW ONLINEIn today’s world, organizations must continually iDnnoiNLvvateEeAtroBAsgArioRtw/y.BINnnoLoIvIfaNEtito-nhGLreoequuairOergsn: hPintPg OPaRrtTneUrsNhiIpTIES and cultures Our commitment to diversity, innovation, and an CATEGORIES INCLUDE inTclhuesiBveuswinoerskseLnevairronninmgenIntsatirteujtuest(BsLoIm) ies ouf rthsetrategic learning partner, offering remaseomnbs ehrusmwaenbrceassotus,rcweeobrignanrsizantidonosna-dnedmand courses at a discounted price. • Auditing & Finance • Big Data/AI/Blockchain local and national media have named Crowe with • Communication onISnetsrotaitfteuthgteeic(bBleeLasI)rtnbpinrliagncgtesospfitroteymwooiuerrrks.lecharendinugle.aOndurCpPaErtcnoenrtsehnipt right the Business Learning • Business Strategy to your fingertips. • Ethics • Future-Ready Skills ToInstaadrdt iytoiounr rteowwaerdbicnagstcsa, rmeeerm, bers have access to the full liHberarsrcyheolfFBrieLrIson, • Harassment visoint -GdoeCmraonwde.pcroomgr.ams across a number of learning categorMieasn,amginagnyDifreroctmor BLI • Leadership Thought Leaders who are speaking at the 2018 Convention. Learn more and register at blionline.org/naba-learning Visit www.crowe.com/disclosure for more information about Crowe LLP, its subsidiaries, and Crowe Global. © 2019 Crowe LLP. GS-19007-012B SPRING 2019 | SPECTRUM 33

NABA NEXT A Deeper Commitment to ACAP By Elaine W. Smith O’Garro has been involved in ACAP for more than 25 years. She is the founder/director of the Dallas/Fort Worth ACAP, NABA has deepened its commitment to which will be holding its 19th program June 9-14, 2019. the Accounting Career Awareness Program O’Garro was also instrumental in starting ACAP programs (ACAP) with the establishment of the ACAP in Atlanta, Wichita, Houston, Phoenix, Minneapolis, National Task Force. Boston, and North Carolina. O’Garro has served on the Board of Directors of the Dallas/Fort Worth ACAP since ACAP has been an instrumental NABA program, created 2001, and served as the NABA National ACAP chair for four to build and strengthen the pipeline of students entering terms. In 2015, she received NABA’s ACAP Legacy Award. the profession. The mission of the ACAP Task Force is to Harris agreed to serve on the Task Force because she loves participate in purposeful dialogue that results in activities the connectivity and mentorship of the programs. “I think to help transform, evolve, expand, and provide oversight it is important for minority students to have the type of of the ACAP programs. The Task Force will accomplish experience that pours a unique level of wisdom into them its mission by providing thought leadership, raising and I want to see the program expanded to thousands of awareness and offering guidance to existing and future students across the country,” she said. programs. The ultimate goal is to increase the number of Brown said, “During all of my professional career, I’ve underrepresented ethnic groups entering the accounting endeavored to ‘lift as I climbed’ or to make a positive and finance profession and achieving the CPA designation. difference in the lives of students and young professionals. That has been an important filter as I’ve accepted new Task force members are Arica (Morris) Harris, CISA, PMP, roles in corporate America, served on nonprofit boards, group leader, Banking Operations, Edward Jones (St. Louis, or accepted committee assignments, etc.  Serving on the Missouri); Odell Brown, owner, MPrints (Duncanville, Texas); ACAP National Task Force aligns with what I’ve always and Nora O’Garro, CEO and owner, Unamelt Event Planning. strived to do.” O’Garro’s reason for serving on the ACAP Task Force Harris, Brown and O’Garro are no strangers to ACAP. In is rooted in her own career challenges. “I got into the 2010, Harris chaired the first ACAP program in St. Louis. “As profession as a result of being a late bloomer. I went back chair, I witnessed the importance of introducing students to college at the age of 26 with three children under the to the profession. I realized that these students need us to age of 3. I needed a job that would afford my children the help groom them in a manner that no other association quality of life my mother could not provide – not because of can. ACAP has a secret sauce that cannot be replicated lack of desire, but lack of access,” O’Garro said. “The mission because of the professionalism, passion, experience and of ACAP is my driving force. Being the founder/director of compassion that NABA members carry within themselves the [Dallas-Fort Worth] ACAP, I know firsthand the benefit that passes on to the students that experience ACAP,” said of early exposure to career exploration combined with the Harris, who continues to chair the program in St. Louis. importance of dispelling the negative stereotype about accounting and finance for minorities. I know the difference Brown, who has served as executive director of Dallas between getting a job versus building a career path with ACAP since its inception in 2001, said that more than 800 the proper support system. This task force will make history students have graduated from the program. “In addition to by doubling the number of minorities who will enter the a wide range of technical expertise, I bring college recruiting, profession, become CPAs, and obtain other advanced instructional design, and facilitation expertise to the certifications over the next decade. I am honored and executive director role, and continue to mentor many ACAP humbled to take part in such an effort.” alums,” Brown said. He has also organized and facilitated Task Force members see ACAP as extremely critical to ACAP Western Regional Summits where “we’ve shared filling the accounting profession’s pipeline with minority best practices among ACAP chapters within our region.” In professionals. “It’s common knowledge that the profession addition to serving on this ACAP National Task Force, Brown is struggling to attract minority students to major in has been instrumental in sharing best practices and other accounting and to enter the profession,” Brown said. He strategies with the NABA National Office in order to provide said ACAP is important for the following reasons: content for the existing NABA ACAP Program Toolkit, and with the AICPA in establishing criteria for the current school- based ACAP programs. 34 SPECTRUM | SPRING 2019

NABA NEXT (Left) Arica (Morris) Harris JOiN NABA (Top) Nora O’Garro EMPOWER THE CHANGE WiTHiN (Bottom) Odell Brown NABA Members Get Early first impression:  Most high schools do not offer an accounting course. Exclusive Access To: Thus, it is not likely that a student will enter college majoring in accounting. ACAP facilitates an early favorable impression and enjoyable positive • Discounts on CPE and Online experience for students interested in accounting. A great experience in Learning ACAP can go a long way in attracting students to the accounting profession. Access to mentors:  ACAP provides access to mentors during and after ACAP • Business Management Week. Having an example or role model is an important factor for students and Executive Leadership in choosing accounting as a major. Local professional chapter members Development and CPA state society members who serve as guest speakers allow minority students to see others who look like them. • Professional Recruitment and Access to additional resources:  ACAP provides initial insights into the possible Referral Network training and learning opportunities and support system for students as they study for and pass the CPA exam.  Such insights help to dispel the myth that • Online Career Center accounting is all math and numbers, and that the CPA exam is too hard to • More than 175 Professional pass. “We all know that the number of people entering into the accounting and and Student Chapters finance professions continues to decline while the opportunities continue to • Regional Student Conferences grow,” said Harris. “We strongly believe that starting to influence and expose • Hundreds of NABA students to the profession earlier on in their lives plants a seed of interest. ACAP is effectively designed and positioned to provide the tools, advice and Scholarships support for those students who continue to pursue that interest through • Annual National Convention college and beyond. Many of the ACAP students find opportunities with some of the very companies that partnered with the ACAP programs.” Featuring CPE Sessions, CPA O’Garro said ACAP “provides a solid foundation for students to be nurtured Exam Review, Leadership to maximize their potential through the development of a plan for success Training, N etworking and as they matriculate through college and then to their professional careers, Career Expo not just jobs.” She also believes that student participation in technical and • Exclusive Online Community leadership development sessions helps dispel negative stereotypes and misconceptions about career opportunities in accounting/finance. “ACAP www.NSPARINBGA20i1n9 c| .oSPrEgC/TmRUeMm3b5ership provides an easier pathway to obtaining advanced certifications in the profession because of the access to the tools, scholarships and the support system NABA provides,” O’Garro said. ▲

NABA NEXT ACAP Grantees Gear Up FOR SUMMER PROGRAMS By Elaine W. Smith (Left) David Cannon (Top) Donald McWilliams Grand Valley State University (Michigan), (Bottom) Synetra Hughes Jackson State University (Mississippi), and the University of Arkansas are the 2019 At Jackson State University, Donald McWilliams, CPA, CFE, recipients of ACAP grants under NABA’s says the theme of his program is “Exploring the World ACAP National Grant for University-Based of Possibilities.” This will be the second year for ACAP Programs. This national program, launched at Jackson State under the university-based program. last year, provides funding from the AICPA McWilliams said that the program will include college Foundation to colleges and universities prep (strategies for taking the SAT, applying to universities, with accredited accounting and finance applying for scholarships) and technical sessions, including programs. The goal of ACAP is to increase a session on the role of data analytics in accounting and the pipeline of minority students who enter a session on Excel. Students will take a tour of the Nissan the accounting profession. manufacturing plant where they will learn about the role accountants play in the manufacturing process. A large David Cannon, CPA, CIA, CISA, PhD, director of the Western regional CPA firm will host students for an “Elevator Pitch” Michigan ACAP to be held at Grand Valley State University, presentation and office visit. In addition, McWilliams said said that before he applied for the ACAP grant, he visited ACAP will have the “usual enrichment activities,” such as Ohio State University to learn more about ACAP and an etiquette banquet and career counseling (including “decided that it was something we needed to do here.” He resume writing). said that his school’s accounting advisory board for years McWilliams expects 20 students from across the state of has sought to increase diversity of the student body. “The Mississippi to participate. “We have a lot lined up for our ACAP program is the perfect vehicle for doing this.” program and we’re looking forward to an exciting time,” he said. Cannon says he hopes to attract 25-30 students from The University of Arkansas received a partial grant for Western Michigan who are “economically disadvantaged,” ACAP in 2018, and will be implementing ACAP for the as his school is barred from recruiting minority students. second time under the university-based program. “There is a huge correlation between schools that Synetra Hughes, PhD, program director, said what will have a large population qualified for free lunch and the be different this year is the addition of a retention population that we’re trying to target,” Cannon said. “The component. “We’re looking at including some ACT fact for this target population is that their only exposure to professionals is doctors, health professionals, teachers and lawyers. They don’t know of the other professions or don’t feel as though they are accessible to them.” Cannon continued, “This is a program that literally can make a difference in somebody’s life. Even before the program, we’ve had students who have come from some very dire backgrounds and they now have master’s degrees and are working for Big 4 accounting firms. With ACAP, there’s an opportunity to increase that.” 36 SPECTRUM | SPRING 2019

NABA NEXT and SAT training, helping students write resumes and Hughes explained that ACAP is not new to the University scholarship application essays, and connecting them with of Arkansas and that there was a long-standing program accounting professionals who live in their areas. up until about 2009, but funding got cut. “Even though We typically seek between 20 and 25 students, but this we took a break from ACAP, students who were exposed year we’re scaling it back to between 15 and 20 so that or their family members were able to spread the message we can have the connectivity with them throughout the of what ACAP did for them and we in turn got students school year,” she said. who were interested in majoring in accounting and who With respect to last year’s program, Hughes said the graduated. Students who were in my business camp and students really enjoyed it. “We actually had students did not really know what they wanted to do, got exposed graduating high school this May who are committed to to accounting through NABA. It is definitely creating a attending the University of Arkansas, so that speaks to pipeline for minority students here at the University of the quality of the program that we offer. We are engaging Arkansas,” she said. ▲ them with real professionals in the field who are teaching them about the career paths.” I believe IN CHECKS AND BALANCES What do you believe? We want to know. Because here, we have strong convictions too. Like believing that the health needs of our members should inspire the way we approach the numbers. Not the other way around. It’s a unique approach to doing business. And it’s just part of what has made Kaiser Permanente the nation’s largest nonprofit health care organization. Find out more about opportunities at Kaiser Permanente, and learn how you can put your beliefs to good work. Kaiser Permanente is the nation’s leading nonprofit integrated health plan and a recognized health advocate in the communities in which it resides. Here, our every action supports the well-being of the men, women, and children who turn to us for care—over 9 million of them in California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington. We are seeking qualified Accounting Professionals for the following opportunities: ➞ ACCOUNTANTS ➞ FINANCIAL ANALYSTS/ ➞ AUDITORS CONSULTANTS ➞ DIRECTORS/SR. DIRECTORS ➞ EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ➞ FINANCE MANAGERS ➞ HEALTH DATA ANALYSTS For more information about career opportunities with Kaiser Permanente, visit us at the NABA conference booth #811 or visit our website for a complete list of available opportunities. jobs.kp.org SPRING 2019 | SPECTRUM 37 KAISER PERMANENTE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER/DISABILITY/VETERAN.

JUST BE YOU At DHG, we encourage you to…Just Be You. Our commitment to Inclusion & Diversity includes awareness and exposure to diverse experiences, advocacy and growth for all of our people and intentional action to celebrate both the similarities and differences that make up our diverse teams. @LifeatDHG Life at DHG @LifeatDHG Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP Assuran3c8e |SPTEaCxTR| UAMdv|isSoPrRyINGI 2d0h19g.com

5 FITNESS TRENDS ON THE RISE IN 2019 Article courtesy of Brandpoint (www.brandpoint.com) So many get excited about the latest fitness trends, 3. CERTIFIED TRAINING gadgets or gizmos getting the most attention as they look for what might be helpful for themselves or their family. More and more people are looking to certified trainers The world of health and fitness is an area that is always to help them not just with exercise form or how to use evolving to the point there’s continuously something a machine but help guide them on a plan to stick to for new to try, and sometimes it can even reach the point of achieving any wellness goals. feeling overwhelming. Brian Zehetner, Planet Fitness’s director of health and 4. MINDFULNESS fitness, helps cut through the noise by synthesizing what he sees as five major fitness trends that are making the Fitness and nutrition have always been a happy marriage biggest impact this year: when it comes to wellness, but let’s not forget about the benefits of mindfulness and meditation in 2019. This is 1. 30-MINUTE WORKOUTS a critical component of any wellness regimen, too, and there are numerous apps in this space that are growing People are more time-crunched than ever and they want in popularity. Audio-guided workouts (via apps, podcasts, comprehensive and effective workouts that can be done etc.) are becoming all the rage, too, and that trend is in relatively short time frames. Ideally, these workouts expected to continue in 2019. include both a cardio component and a strength component. We may even see more 15- and 20-minute 5. DIY FITNESS workout programs popping up this year and beyond! People are requesting more information so they can 2. PROGRAMS GEARED TOWARD reach their fitness goals all on their own. They want TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS help, yet see their journey as an independent one, so it’s on the fitness industry to provide them with content, Expect an influx of youth-oriented workouts guidance and anything else that may help them on and wellness opportunities in 2019. their journey. This year, more assistance is available via With new guidelines from the U.S. technology (e.g., apps, on-demand content, etc.). ▲ Department of Health and Human Services recommending at least 60 minutes of aerobic physical activity for kids every day, we expect to see even more youth, teens and young adults reenergizing their daily activity. SSPPRRIINNGG22001199 | SPECTRUM 39

Giving Back to the Accounting Profession Through Board Service By Elaine W. Smith Accounting boards and committees SANDRA K. GATES, CPA, Ph.D., offer minority CPAs and accountants associate professor of accounting, significant opportunities to serve. Texas A&M University-Commerce, serves on the Qualifications State boards of accountancy, state CPA societies, the Committee of the Texas State Board American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) of Accountancy. “I have always been and other organizations need and welcome the expertise interested in serving on the state of accounting professionals to fulfill their missions. While board, however, I did not actively the state boards of accountancy are tasked with regulation, pursue it,” she said. “As a result, when Felicia Farrar consumer protection, and compliance and enforcement, (NABA National Board member) reached out to members there also are the international, national and state CPA and of NABA to let us know that the board had various accounting societies that provide education, advocacy and committee opportunities, I responded promptly and other resources. accepted the appointment.” Some CPAs seek out service on these boards and Gates, who is actively involved with business committees while others are recommended for such professionals and has been in academia since 2005, said appointments. In many cases, service on boards at the that the Qualifications Committee is fitting, because NABA chapter, regional and national levels prepares she is able to provide input about policies related to members for the broader platforms. educational requirements, accounting courses, and professional competency for students who want to sit ANGELA AVANT, CGMA, president, for the CPA exam. She added, “I routinely interact with Enterprise Advisory Solutions, said employers and understand the current demands of the that serving on the District of accounting profession.” Columbia State Board of For DANNELL R. LYNE, CPA, a Accountancy had been in her plans partner in the Professional Services for several years and for a number of Practice at Marks Paneth LLP, reasons. But one day she glanced at appointment to the Connecticut the board’s newsletter and saw that a State Board of Accountancy was board member was leaving. “So, after many years of fortuitous. Lyne explained that in having this on the back of my agenda, I thought maybe 2012 the entire board, except for the time had come to move it to the front. I reached out one non-CPA, resigned at the same time. He said that to the Board chairman and to members of my NABA the newly appointed executive director wanted diversity family who had or were serving and started the process on the board and the deputy secretary of state, who of formally expressing my interest.” Avant easily met the came across his profile in the monthly magazine of the basic qualification of serving on the District’s board as a Connecticut Society of CPAs, called him to ask if he was licensed CPA for many years with extensive experience. interested in serving. What qualified Lyne for service, he “Beyond the basic requirements, there is a very said, was his 15 years of experience as a CPA. “I gave it thorough and appropriate vetting process given the some thought, chewing on the fact that this would be a nature of the roles and responsibilities of board good way of giving back to the profession, and decided members,” Avant said. to get involved,” Lyne said. 40 SPECTRUM | SPRING 2019

OKORIE Service on boards entails a greater RAMSEY, CPA, learning curve for some. Avant CGMA, vice said that while she “holistically president of understood the roles and Sarbanes-Oxley responsibilities, understanding the (SOX) for Kaiser who, what, when, where and how Permanente, the execution occurs requires going became interested in serving on through the process. The matters boards while attending San Francisco requiring board attention are not State University (SFSU) and a mentor necessarily consistent from month suggested that he run for a position to month. Accordingly, there is on the NABA student chapter board a period of simply experiencing of directors. Ramsey eventually the various processes related served three semesters as president to the execution of the board’s of the NABA student chapter at SFSU responsibility.” in addition to officer roles in Beta Gates said, “My experience in Alpha Psi, an accounting honor academia and general understanding organization, and the Accounting of the state board’s qualification Students Organization at SFSU. “My requirements gave me a shorter desire to give back and make a learning curve for service on the difference continued in my Qualifications Committee of the professional career as I became a Texas State Board of Accountancy.” member of the board of directors of Lyne said it took a year before the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter members of the new board felt that of NABA and eventually served on they understood how it operates NABA’s National Board of Directors and what they needed to do. “We as as the national director of students.” CPAs understand our profession and Ramsey later served as chairman of that there are rules and regulations the San Francisco Bay Area that we have to abide by and there’s Accounting Career Awareness an ethical code that we have to Program (ACAP) for seven years. “I follow, but the learning curve is think the foundation I built through understanding the true detail of it,” NABA developed by board he said. “With us it was a greater experience created the exposure learning curve because we were a that led to my service on the brand-new board, so we had to lean California Society of CPAs (CalCPA) on the one remaining board member Education Foundation Board of and the executive director, who was Trustees for the past 10 years,” still getting adjusted to that position, Ramsey said. In 2017, Ramsey and the deputy secretary of state.” became the first African American Said Ramsey: “Based on my president of the CalCPA Education experience with serving on boards, Foundation Board of Trustees in the the learning curve was not steep. organization’s 50-plus-year history. However, I have always sought to While serving on that board, he was be a student of any organization appointed, and eventually elected, or board on which I have served. to the AICPA Council representing I think it is very important to the state of California. “I believe the understand the strategic priorities collection of my board service as of the board and the organization well as my corporate experience led as well as the challenges…before to my nomination and election to jumping to answers or conclusions.” the Association of International Whether or not there was a Certified Professional Accountants learning curve, during service Board of Directors, which represents there are lessons learned. “I have the largest and most influential body a greater appreciation for the work of professional accountants in the that the board does,” said Gates. world,” he said. SSPPRRIINNGG22001199 | SPECTRUM 41

“Candidates across the U.S. may want to be licensed by important perspectives to share to advance our the state of Texas. I did not fully appreciate the extent profession.” Ramsey said that to prepare for board to which the board addresses and responds to inquires service, individuals need to hone their craft and perform outside of the state,” she added. well in their careers. “I recommend starting small, such Lyne said that an important lesson that he learned is as serving on a committee of a local board and building pride: “Being a board member has made me prouder from there. Rome wasn’t built in a day.”▲ to be a CPA,” he said. “I’ve learned how detail-oriented the state of Connecticut and all the states are with ON DIVERSIFYING STATE BOARDS their rules and regulations of the profession and it is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly.” By Angela Avant Ramsey said that the greatest benefits he has received The state accountancy boards have critical regulatory, are the relationships he has built with leaders and compliance and enforcement roles and responsibilities executives from many walks of life and “the wealth of for our profession and are deemed to be “among shared experiences that we have created in advancing the highest professional honors one can receive,” our mutual interests in serving our profession.” He according to Bill Aiken, CPA, past chairman of NABA, added, “I believe board service has made me a better the first African American to be appointed to the New leader as I have followed, I have led and I have dealt with York State Board of Accountancy and the second to be many interesting challenges that have broadened my so honored in the nation. thinking.” With respect to my interest in serving on state boards, Avant, Gates, Lyne and Ramsey all believe that it is the late Benjamin King Sr., CPA, the first African important for African American CPAs/accountants American in the country to be appointed to a state to position themselves to serve on state boards of board of accountancy (state of Maryland), told me accountancy and other accounting organization boards. “You need to . . . so add it to your goals.” If you knew Avant said: “I have a passion for and commitment to him, you know there was no further discussion. I increasing diversity in all aspects/areas, and at all levels encouraged/told many NABA leaders the same. One of our profession, particularly the representation of was Beverly Everson-Jones, CPA, who was NABA’s African American women and men and other people of executive director during a portion of my terms as color. There is significant work to be done in this area chairman. Beverly suggested that NABA should begin with our state accountancy and state society boards.” forging relationships with these groups because they “State boards need people who are passionate about were the gateway to leadership roles in the AICPA. the profession and committed to the high standards We met with a number of state accountancy and associated with being a CPA,” said Gates. “I believe that society boards to begin the process of cultivating African American CPAs/accountants who uphold the relationships. standards of the profession can provide boards with While our representation on state boards in the mid valuable experiences and perspectives.” to late 1990s was not significant, there were a number Lyne offered a similar assessment. “It is very important for of NABA leaders who had served or were serving minority accountants to put themselves in the position on these boards. For me, they were visible evidence to become board members because it gives you a sense of NABA’s progress and the possibilities for greater of recognition. One of the great things that I like about impact and influence moving forward. It also serves to being on the board is when we have our regional and broaden the spotlight on the need for increased board annual meetings, it is great to see additional African diversity. American CPAs on other boards and you get to know their During my tenure as NABA’s president & CEO, then- experiences and what they have gone through to become chairman Kenneth Cooke and I met with several members of their boards.” Lyne said that NABA members leaders of the National Association of State Boards of can position themselves to serve on boards by getting to Accountancy (NASBA) to discuss potential strategies know who the current members are. “In Connecticut, the and approaches to jump start changes in this area meetings are open, so if you want to observe how the of the profession. NASBA is now one of our strategic board operates, you can come to meetings.” partners and I was appointed to the Diversity And according to Ramsey, “We need to be present so Committee. At my first committee meeting, I was very our voices are heard and acknowledged.” He added: “I pleased to see state board diversity at the top of our served on several boards in part to create awareness agenda. ▲ that we exist as seasoned professionals and we have 42 SPECTRUM | SPRING 2019

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION Spectrum Asks: Left to right: Kimberly N. Ellison-Taylor, Kenneth Bouyer, Elena Richards, Kimberly S. Reed In your opinion, what is the status of Diversity and Inclusion “When it comes to diversifying the workforce, accounting in the accounting profession firms must be aggressive. This effort starts at the top. today and what needs to be Our U.S. chairman, Tim Ryan, is a founding member of done going forward? CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion. That group was launched in 2017 and has grown to 600+ CEOs – including “I am very encouraged by the increased discussion CEOs from competitors like Deloitte and EY. The focus regarding diversity and inclusion. While progress has is not on metrics, but creating a forum that will help been made, there is absolutely more work to be done.  many companies benefit from sharing their experiences One of my favorite initiatives is to speak with diverse Next – successes and failures – and creating a safe work Generation Leaders about what is possible and the many environment for dialogue, addressing and mitigating options available to them. Implemented on a larger scale unconscious bias, and sharing best practices. in elementary schools, this will help create increased “PwC’s efforts have made a difference. The most recent early preference and awareness of the accounting assessment shows that 33 percent of the U.S. leadership profession.  There are certainly many initiatives needed team are minorities and 33 percent are women. Of the to retain and advance diverse professionals, but getting new partners and principals in its 2018 class, 45 percent a healthy pipeline in the profession will only benefit the are women and minorities. The percentage of minority and other related but critical initiatives.” female new hires who are not partners or interns has also Kimberly N. Ellison-Taylor, CPA, CGMA increased.”  Elena Richards Executive Director, Finance Thought Leadership - Oracle Corporation Past Chairman of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants U.S. Minority Initiatives and Talent Management Leader Past Chairman of the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants Office of Diversity, PwC “While today’s social climate has been associated with “Organizations need to ask themselves the tough controversy and disagreements, it is also banding people questions: What is my organization committed to in D&I? together in a more positive way – surprisingly at work. Are we deliberate in identifying and attracting top diverse Regardless of background, gender, sexual orientation talent? or race, individuals are coming together in search of a “Most accounting firms provide the same services, sense of community and belonging, with many expecting but from people and culture perspectives, they are and finding it within the workplace. Given the increasing different. The rich and challenging diversity of opinion diversity of our teams, we cannot take a sense of belonging within organizations mirrors the diversity in the society. for granted. That is why we, as leaders, colleagues and “Organizations that allow its priorities and activities to be team members, need to be purposeful and deliberate shaped and informed by the full spectrum of individual in cultivating a sense of belonging for all, to harness its differences are much more likely to establish and sustain benefits for us as individuals, for highest-performing teams meaningful relationships with people.” and for our organizations. In fact, research shows that Kimberly S. Reed when people feel like they belong at work, they are more productive, motivated and engaged and are 3.5 times CEO, Reed Development Group more likely to contribute to their full, innovative potential.” Diversity and Inclusion Strategist and Expert Kenneth Bouyer International Speaker and Corporate Trainer Americas Inclusiveness Recruiting Leader, EY SSPPRRIINNGG22001199 | SPECTRUM 43

ACCOUNTING FIRMS Need STEM as Partner in Today’s Business World By Ruth E. Thaler-Carter As organizations continue to embrace digital advances to build their competitive advantage, Barley said, they Accounting may have always involved must use consumer data and extrapolate information numbers, but today’s marketplace demands from consumer buying and browsing habits. “This professionals with skills that go beyond intelligence provides guidance for clients who can use the traditional math. In response, the Uniform information to inform their business decisions,” he said. CPA Exam was revised in 2018 to include “Since many small and middle-market companies don’t tests of critical thinking, problem-solving have the resources to manage this work themselves, and analytical ability — attributes previously accounting firms are expanding their services to considered more relevant to science, provide data governance, data analytics, and blockchain technology, engineering, and mathematics resources. They are also increasing cybersecurity (STEM) than accounting. With that in mind, offerings to help companies use and protect key data NABA is looking at how STEM skills can assets.” prepare students in terms of passing the Last year’s changes to the Uniform CPA Exam mean that CPA exam and enhancing their chances at STEM students have “the opportunity to learn about employment in firms. techniques and skillsets through mathematics and related areas that correlate directly to the critical thinking “While the profession may have begun with the premise they need to pass the exam,” Barley said. “Gone are the of analyzing financial statements, it has expanded to the days of focusing solely on debits and credits; today’s point of true integration among business divisions, ranging exam requires that candidates not only embrace cost from boardrooms to technology departments to research accounting, but also interpret regulatory requirements and development divisions,” said Charles Barley Jr., a and their impact on clients of the future. Such analysis is principal in Risk Advisory Services-IT with RSM, US LLP key in the profession. in McLean, Va., as Southeast leader of the Security & Barley sees the present and future of the profession as Privacy solution and co-leader of the firm’s National Data evolving to accommodate and even demand a wider Privacy working group. range of skills — ones that might be unfamiliar to established accountants. Between CPA exam changes The global economy continues to see a shift in the and societal trends, “today’s students who seek careers complexities for businesses in delivering goods and in public accounting must possess an increased level of services in the marketplace. “This dynamic has been intellectual curiosity and eagerness to embrace the speed accelerated by the use of technology and the increasing of change,” he said. “A company’s business objectives importance of data analytics for understanding the evolve based on market conditions. Both accounting and marketplace better,” Barley said. This means that STEM students must be prepared to remain agile and “accounting firms must recruit and retain professionals flexible enough to understand and adapt to the ever- with diverse skillsets to keep up with how quickly things changing needs of their clients.” are changing to meet the needs of consumers” — and That may seem daunting, but it is also an opportunity STEM skills are among those in demand. for accounting to take a leadership role in responding to change and to partner with disciplines that seem new. “NABA professionals should continue to challenge their thinking and embrace the evolution of the accounting industry,” Barley concluded. That means including STEM in approaches to both hiring and serving clients. ▲ 44 SPECTRUM | SPRING 2019

EmpoWER THE CHANGE WITHIN Naba Career CeNter Log into the Naba Career Center at nabacareercenter.nabainc.org/jobseekers and find your next role in three easy steps: • Create your account • Upload your resume • Search the latest job openings Let Us HeLp YoU! Take advantage of resources on the website such as: • Career Coaching • Resume Writing • reference Checking • Career Learning Center SPRING 2019 | SPECTRUM 45

We are Pleased to Recognize NABA’s Lifetime Members Jamila Abston Paula Cropper She-lia Henry Sherry-Ann Mohan Patricia smalls Dwayna Adams Charles Daniel Yvonne Herron Daniel Moore Graylin Smith Clifton Addison Maurice Danner Jeffery Hill Gairy Moore William Smith Enitan Adesanya Rosalind Danner Daniel Hobson Wanda Moore Mark Smith Amani Ahmed Sandra Davis Pamela Hogans Lebone Moses Margo Smith William Aiken Charles Davis Bavan Holloway Dana Moss Isaac Smith Abdool Akhran Tamieka Davis V. Reginald Hopkins Rosheila Motley Keith Smith Ronnie Alexander Frederick Davis Paul Horace Fred Moultrie Walter Smith Renee Allain-Stockton Roger Davis Harvey Hoskins Grace Mullings Graylin Smith Zuleyka Alleyne Shaun Davis Lisa Howze Avery Munnings Catherine Smith-Spears Marvin Allmond Tanya Davis Willie Mae Hughey Angela Murphy Janice Sparks Antoinette Amoureux Sekou Chantel Day Albert Hunt Yves Mutombo Thad Standley Lloyd Anderson Samantha DeCambre Angel Ingram Adam Myers Veda Stanley Anthony Anderson Shariah Dixon-Turner Dee-Ah Iris-Outerbridge Edwin Neal Avril Stephens Adrian Anderson Reve Doss Arlene Isaacs-Lowe Leslie Netter Cecil Sterrod Lee Anderson Marvin Dozier Vincent James Benjamin Newhouse Lionel Stevens Roger Arrieux Kenneth Drummond Clarence James Adaeze Nwachuku Shamella Stewart Iris Atkinson-Kirkland Robert Dunlap Curtis James Nora O’Garro Dmitri Stockton Angela Avant Angela Dunlap Johnny Jefferson Chris Okafor C. Daniel Stubbs, Jr. Claire Babineaux-Fontenol Jonell Dunston Edwin Jenkins Joe Okeke Ebony Stubbs Larry Bailey Betty DuVerger Norman Jenkins Avril Okeke Lemar Swinney Alfred Ball Kathy-Ann Edwards J. Barry Johnson Florence Onochie Floran Syler Deidra Barksdale Cordelia Ekwueme J. Frank Johnson Eugene Padgett James Talley R. Everett Bassie Candice Elliott Gregory Johnson Dorothy Page-Proctor Rolanda Tate Darrell Baxter Gregory Ellison Patricia Johnson Frank Parker Jeff Tate Ralph Bazilio Kimberly Ellison-Taylor Michael Johnson Michael Parkins Micheal Taylor Ronald Benjamin Patrick English Gwen Johnson Keeca Parks Ronald Taylor Earl Biggett Andrante Etheridge Robert Johnson Harold Parnell Sheila Taylor-Clark Melvin Blake Charmain Eubanks-Thomas James Johnson Greg Parris Francis Thomas Patrica Bolt Vernon Evans Mark Keener Kimberly Parris Allen Thomas Monique Booker Beverly Everson-Jones Anthony Kendall Stephanie Parrish-Chester Ralph Thomas Allen Boston Earl G. Fagan, Jr. Catrise Kilgore Leslie Patterson Valerie Thomas William Boswell Felicia Farrar Bridget Kinard Shawn Paynemiller Ronald Thompkins Ken Bouyer Nicole Felix Anthony King Ramona Pearson Celia Thompkins Gloria Bracy Cecil Flamer James Kirkland L. Matthew Perry Mary Thompson Adrian Bracy Erby Foster LaToya Lacey Phillip Pierce Curtis Tomlin Monica Brame Carlyle Fraser Marjorie LaRue Tillman Pink Manuel Torres Latarsha Brazle Genevia Fulbright Wayne Lee Pamela Pinkett Emmanuel Tuffuor Odell Brown Tony Fuller Brittani Lee Mario Poole Lucy Turnage James Brown Douglas Gaines Shelley Lee Hing Jenice Prather-Kinsey Raymond Vicks Tyrone Browne Ryan Galloway James Lewis Starr Purdue Adrian Vieira Linda Bryant Vernice Gamble W. Delores Lewis Okorie Ramsey Lamont Waddell Maxine Buckles Fred Gamble Wendy Lewis Moire Rasmussen Andre Wade Charles Burch Yosief Gh rmai Eddie Lightsey LaNita Ray Ronald Walker William Byrd Bertram Gibson Leona Locke-Dotson Jesse Rhodes Emma Walker Willie Carrington Hubert Glover Clarence Lockett Harry Richards George Wallace Deborah Carter Robin Gordon Joe Lowry Avis Riley Lydia Washington Charles Carter Norman Graves Kim Manigault J. Edward Robinson Chester Watson Patricia Carter John Green Betty Maple Troy Robinson Timothy Watson Ruby Cato Verna Greer Phillip Mark Frank Ross Anne White Richard Caturano Derric Gregory Lawrence Mathews Michael Ross Donald White Millicent Chancellor Kim Griffin-Hunter Roderick Mayo Janine Rouson Gwendolyn Wiggins-Walcott Marvin Chiddick Austin Groom Yolanda McBride Michelle Royster Maria Wiley Paula Cholmondeley Linda Guyden Milford McGuirt April Royster Humphrey Williams Sheila Clark Bennie Hadnott James McIntyre Greta Russell Roger Williams William Coleman Brenda Hammond Tina McIntyre Deatrice Russell-Tyner Chrisalle Williams Brenda Coleman Ann-Marie Hammond Barbara McKinzie Ray Sanders L. Anne Williams Ronald Coleman Thomas Hampton Jimmy McMillian Uso Sayers James Williams Malcomb Coley Donna Hankins Richard McNamee Patricia Scipio George Willie Paul Colin B. Aubrey Harrell Thomas McRae Carolyn Scott Veronda Willis Gregory Collins Calvin Harris Hassan Miah Victoria Seay John Wilson Charlotte Comer Steven Harris George Miles Johnny Session Carol Wilson Anita Conner David Harrison Kevin Miller Dave Sewell Michael Winston Kenneth Cooke Tiffany Harrison Mark Miller Tadeo Silva Daniel Worrell Donna Cooper David Harrison Judson Mitchell Brainard Simpson Ida Yarbrough Raymond Cooper Angela Haskell Bert Mitchell Carl Simpson Deborah Cowan Roland Hendricks Faye Mitchell Moore Gwendolyn Skillern 46 SPECTRUM | SPRING 2019

Seeing life through each other’s eyes gives us all better perspective. Visit jobs.prudential.com Everyone benefits from diversity and inclusion. By promoting a culture of support and collaboration, the best and most innovative ideas fuel our business. A place to work, grow, and be your true self. We hire people with different identities and backgrounds, and encourage everyone to bring their authentic self to work. When every voice is heard, we are all better for it. We come from different perspectives, but share the belief that diversity and inclusion make us stronger together. Prudential is proud to sponsor the 2019 NABA National Convention & Expo. © 2019. Prudential, the Prudential logo, the Rock symbol and Bring Your Challenges are service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. Prudential is an equal opportunity employer (veterans/disability). EEO is the law. 0315591-00001-00

2019 Diamond Symposium The Diamond Symposium is a student engagement event hosted by Dow which is intended for top, underrepresented minority, undergraduate students from Universities across the United States. This event features an impressive lineup of Dow speakers who will help educate participants on our company, culture, and career opportunities as well as provide key professional development advice to help build the leaders of the future! For more information, please visit www.dow.com/diamondsymposium Dates: 8/19 - 8/21, 2019 Location: Dow’s Corporate Headquarters Midland, Michigan Application Deadline: 5/31, 2019 Questions? FGLNADS@dow.com What Should Participants Expect? Participants will have the opportunity to interact with Dow leaders and each other to begin building a professional network, participate in a “Day in the Life” activity with a participating function and give a two minute presentation of a topic of their choice! Participants can also expect to hear from Dow leaders from all functions present on topics such as: • The Future Dow • Our Sustainability Journey, Inclusion & Diversity at Dow • Networking 101 • Creating Executive Presence ®™The DOW Diamond Logo is a trademark www.dow.com/diamondsymposium of The Dow Chemical Company © 2019