Rosalind “Roz” Brewer has joined a coalition of leaders to advocate for financial prosperity in Black communities.
As AFROTECH™ previously told you, Brewer — an alumnus of Spelman College — formerly helmed as Walgreens Boots Alliance chief executive officer (CEO). This company, headquartered in Illinois, owns the retail pharmacy chain Walgreens in the U.S. and the U.K. However, Brewer exited her position in August 2023.
She was the only Black woman to hold the C-suite title in the S&P 500 at the time, per Bloomberg. The former Walgreens CEO was also the third Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company, notes Forbes.
Before Walgreens, Brewer served in leadership roles for retail giant Walmart and then transitioned to its Sam’s Club division as president and CEO to advance digital technology and improve shoppers’ experience, a news release mentions. She also took on the role of the chief operating officer (COO) of Starbucks Coffee Company from 2017 to 2021. Her contributions included integrating racial bias training for more than 8,000 stores, Forbes highlights.
Brewer is a board member of United Airlines and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. In addition, she is now adding another organization to that list by attaching herself to the Black Economic Alliance (BEA) as one of its board members, per the news release.
The nonpartisan coalition of Black business leaders and advocates was established to unite leaders who prioritize public policy, advocacy, and engagement with government and other business leaders. According to its website, the coalition’s overarching mission is to enhance financial wellness within Black communities.
“BEA has a uniquely powerful mandate to expand Black economic power and prosperity,” said Brewer in the news release. “From my leadership experiences spanning HBCU campuses to the boardrooms of corporate America, I understand first-hand the inextricable link between Black economic advancement and the growth of the entire American economy. I am honored and excited to work with BEA’s Board and leadership and lend my expertise to BEA’s next phase of impact.”
Black Economic Alliance CEO Samantha Tweedy also added a press statement:
“Roz has spent her trailblazing career breaking down barriers to Black economic advancement. She has championed BEA’s priorities of advancing Black work, wages, and wealth at some of the world’s most influential companies, and I look forward to her vision and expertise accelerating BEA’s efforts and impact.”
