Report Shows Three Times More Black Men on Corporate Boards Than Women
WASHINGTON
The Executive Leadership Council recently released its inaugural report of African Americans on the boards of U.S. Fortune 500 corporations.
The report focuses on information about the number of Fortune 500 corporate board seats occupied by African Americans, and the individuals who occupy those seats. The Council will use the report to examine trends and make recommendations regarding the representation of African Americans on corporate boards. The “2004 Census of African Americans on Boards of Directors of Fortune 500 Companies” represents information obtained as of Jan.7, 2005.
Key findings include:
•255 African Americans hold Fortune 500 corporate board seats.
•There are 201 Black men serving on corporate boards and 54 Black women.
•Of the 255 African Americans serving on the corporate boards, 60 serve on two boards; 45 serve on three or more boards.
•The highest number of board seats held by a single African-American board member is eight. Four African Americans hold seven board seats.
Profile of Fortune 500 board seats:
•There are approximately 5,572 total board seats for Fortune 500 companies. Of that number, 449 board seats, or 8.1 percent, are held by Blacks.
•African-American men hold 344 of the 449 board seats. African-American women hold 105 board seats.
•Sixty-seven percent of Fortune 500 companies have at least one Black board director; 33 percent of Fortune 500 companies have no Black directors.
The Executive Leadership Council is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit corporation. It was founded in 1986 by 19 African-American corporate executives in an effort to change the face of corporate America. The Executive Leadership Council has created a support network and public leadership forum that prepares the next generation of African-American corporate executives; honors business achievements by African Americans; encourages excellence in business; and influences public policy on behalf of African Americans. To view the complete report, visit <http://www.elcinfo.com>.
© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
