Microquest, Proud Partner of the Executive Leadership Council

The Executive Leadership Council in Washington, D.C. is the premier leadership organization of senior African Americans in Fortune 500 companies. Among its many activities, the ELC published its inaugural Census Of African Americans On Boards Of Directors Of Fortune 500 Companies in 2005.

Microquest is proud to have worked with the Executive Leadership Council and co-author Professor Lynn Perry Wooten of the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, on the creation of this important work.
   

Key Findings: 

• 255 African Americans hold Fortune 500 corporate board seats
• 201 African American men and 54 African women
• 60 serve on two boards
• 45 serve on three or more boards
• African American men hold 6.2% of total board seats
• African American women hold 1.9% of total board seats
• 67% of Fortune 500 companies have at least one African American board director
• 33% of Fortune 500 companies have no African American board directors

Methodology At-A-Glance: 

• Analysis of the Microquest Shattering The Glass Ceiling database
• Direct contact with Fortune 500 companies
• Available public sources

Goals For This Project: 

• Determine the extent African Americans are represented on corporate boards 
• Identify and profile those individuals
• Provide benchmark data to track progress
• Increase the numbers and influence of African Americans on corporate boards
• Create an ongoing dialogue about the need and value of diversity on corporate boards

To download a copy of the ELC's Census Of African Americans On Boards Of Directors Of Fortune 500 Companies, please visit its website at www.elcinfo.com and navigate to News and then Publications.