Black Corporate Board Readiness
Where Diverse Leaders Prepare for Impact
The Black Corporate Board Readiness (BCBR) program accelerates diverse representation in corporate governance by accompanying highly experienced, qualified Black leaders through a structured executive education program. The BCBR program connects participants to experienced board members, rigorously prepares them to excel, and builds a community devoted to better business performance and racial equity.
We launched the inaugural BCBR cohort in February 2021 on the foundations of the Women's Corporate Board Readiness program. BCBR is a “for us, by us” community: we seek to provide a safe space for conversations about the realities and responsibilities of being Black on a corporate board, and each program participant is accompanied by a mentor with lived experience as a Black corporate director.
The impact of BCBR extends far beyond the program itself. Through the engagement and generosity of our Sponsors and Donors], our BCBR Alumni, Facilitators, Mentors, and Advisors gather virtually and in-person, with a focus on connectivity within the BCBR community and with the networks of BCBR Sponsors. Support from our Sponsors and Donors also enables us to offer continuing education sessions relevant to excellence in corporate board service and to accelerating racial justice. Learn more about ways to support the amazing BCBR concentration of Black leadership and board talent.
Contact us at bcbr@scu.edu with your program questions.
The BCBR program comprises over 43 virtual contact hours with exceptional facilitators and experienced Black leaders and 4 hours of individual mentorship:
- The nuts and bolts of corporate governance.
- Marketing yourself for board service and the search process.
- Realities and responsibilities of being a Black corporate director.

Across the nation, people are screaming, crying out for social equality and to get rid of social injustice, inequality. My feeling is that business has a role to play and that it’s very important for business to act now. If business does not show leadership now, people will look for leadership elsewhere. Leadership by business starts by ensuring more diversity in the boardroom.
Program Advisory Board
Caretha Coleman
Mark Goodman
Almaz Negash
Desirée Stolar
Robin Washington
Board Director and Adviser, CFO
Barry Lawson Williams
Meet our community of leaders accompanying BCBR program participants.
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