Alma and Colin Powell

ALMA J. POWELL
Chair of the Board of Directors for America’s Promise Alliance

Alma J. Powell sits on the boards of several educational, cultural, charitable and civic organizations, including her role as chair of the Board of Directors for America’s Promise Alliance. With more than 400 national partners, the Alliance is currently leading a ten-year campaign, Grad Nation, mobilizing America to end the dropout crisis.

Mrs. Powell was appointed by President Barack Obama in 2010 to be a member of the President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Mrs. Powell sits on the boards of several educational, cultural, charitable and civic organizations, including serving as chair of the advisory board for Civic Change, Inc. and member of the YouthBuild USA Advisory Board. She is also a successful author of two children’s books. Mrs. Powell has been married to Gen. Colin Powell since 1962.

GENERAL COLIN L. POWELL, USA (RET.)
Founder and Chairman Emeritus of the America’s Promise Alliance

General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.) is the Founder and Chairman Emeritus of the America’s Promise Alliance, dedicated to forging a strong and effective partnership alliance committed to seeing that children have the fundamental resources they need to succeed.
From 1987 – 1989 General Powell served as President Ronald Reagan’s National Security Advisor. He served from 1989 – 1993 as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for both President George H.W. Bush and for President Bill Clinton, and was the youngest officer and first ROTC graduate to ever serve in the position and also was the first African American to do so. Under President George W. Bush, General Powell was appointed and served as the 65th Secretary of State.