“Negro History Week” started in 1925 as a way to raise awareness of African Americans’ contributions to civilization. In 1976, President Gerald R. Ford urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history,” and that’s when Black History Month became an official monthlong celebration of African American leaders and their undeniable impact on the world.
This month, we’d like to honor some of the leaders who have impacted us and are continuing to make a difference in the way we live, work, and lead. Whether in the small-business sector or throughout Corporate America, these leaders have used their ideas to revolutionize their industries and influence and inspire millions of people around the world — including us at Wildsparq.
You might think our list should include people like Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Jay-Z, Sean Combs, and Michael Jordan, and you’d be right! Every list of influential African American leaders should include these trailblazers and pioneers but we’re focusing our list on a few unsung heroes. Hopefully, Puff Daddy won’t be too sad he didn’t make the cut.
Who Is Rodney Bullard?
First up is Rodney Bullard.
Rodney serves as Chick-fil-A’s Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Executive Director of the Chick-fil-A Foundation. Before joining Chick-fil-A, Rodney served as an Assistant United States Attorney prosecuting complex criminal cases. For his service, the United States Attorney General presented him with the Department of Justice Director’s Award.
As a White House Fellow, Rodney was placed at NASA working directly for the NASA Administrator. Rodney also previously served at the Pentagon as a Congressional Legislative Liaison in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. Rodney is an alumnus of the Air Force Academy, Duke Law School, the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business, and Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.
He’s kind of a big deal.
Rodney Bullard’s Leadership
Our favorite thing is Rodney Bullard’s Leadership and his heart for serving young people.
Last year, he wrote the book, Heroes Wanted, in which he outlines the Nine Components of a Hero: Calling, Commitment, Compassion, Connection, Conviction, Community, Courage, Charity, and Confidence. It’s a guidebook, of sorts, that helps details the many different ways we can make a difference in the lives of others. It’s a beautiful, simple reminder that the world needs who we are — each and every one of us.
We’re thankful for Rodney Bullard’s Leadership and look forward to continuing to celebrate him and many others in the weeks to come.
Chick-fil-A Foundation
Heroes Wanted
Connect with us to learn more about how WildSparq helps organizations implement leader development strategies or to request a free demo. Shoot Josh Etress an email at josh@wildsparq.com.