Skip to main content
Leavey Executive Center, Santa Clara University

Black Corporate Board Readiness Gala

September 27, 2024
6 - 10 pm PT

Join the Movement!

Founded by Dr. Thane Kreiner and Dennis Lanham, the BCBR program emerged from a shared vision of justice, equity, and collective action. From its inception, BCBR was imagined as a community-driven initiative overseen by a Program Advisory Board (PAB), including renowned figures like Barry Lawson Williams, who has served on numerous public company boards and spearheaded projects to document the lived experiences of iconic corporate directors.

The BCBR Gala will be held on September 27, 2024, to honor Barry Lawson Williams, his commitment to advancing diversity in the boardroom, and his research that will shape our understanding of corporate governance for the future. Join what has become a movement. With each endowment pledge made, we advance the cause of inclusion and belonging in corporate boardrooms.

 Reserve your spot today and be part of history in the making at the BCBR Gala.

 

Explore BCBR

Champagne glasses and backlights

Attend the BCBR Gala

September 27, 2024 6:00 - 10:00 pm PT, Locatelli Center

Registration for this event is now closed. Please contact Toni Santillan at tsantillan@scu.edu to be placed on our waitlist.

President & CEO of NABA

Guylaine Saint Juste

Mistress of Ceremonies

UNC Opera Director

Lori Hicks

Vocalist

BLACK CORPORATE BOARD READINESS (BCBR) GALA PAYMENTS

Thank you for making a donation to support the BCBR Inaugural Gala on September 27, 2024!

Payment Instructions

Below are a few ways you can pay for your gala table or sponsorship:

Pay online

You can go online and purchase tickets, tables or sponsorships on the BCBR gala website.

Pay by check

Please make your check payable to Santa Clara University and send to:

Santa Clara University
Development Office
500 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95053

Please make sure to write on the check that your donation is for the BCBR Gala

Pay by wire

Please contact Allison Wong, Operations Manager of Principal Gifts and Corporate &
Foundation Relations for wire instructions at awong8@scu.edu

Note About Donor Advised Funds

Please note that gala payments cannot be paid with Donor Advised Funds due to IRS
regulations as the gala payments have a Fair Market Value portion, which is not tax deductible.

Questions?

Please contact Allison Wong at awong8@scu.edu and she will be happy to assist you. If you are
a corporation or foundation that wishes to purchase a gala sponsorship, please reach out to
Allison as well.



BCBR Impact

bcbr gala boardroom
Navigate here to BCBR Board Placements

The primary outcome metric of the BCBR program is placement on private and public boards. After three short years, the BCBR Community celebrates over 150 board seats that are currently occupied by BCBR Alumni members. We are honored to partner with over 20 organizations committed to accelerating inclusion in corporate governance and enhancing business performance.

bcbr gala community
Navigate here to Community

From its genesis, BCBR was envisioned as a community-based program. It now comprises over 350 individuals who facilitate, mentor, and advise participants. The BCBR community includes thought leaders and innovators across various industries.

bcbr gala connectivity
Navigate here to Connectivity

At BCBR, connectivity is key to closing the network gap for diverse executives seeking board opportunities. Through the engagement and generosity of our Sponsors and Donors, BCBR Alumni, Facilitators, Mentors, and Advisors gather both virtually and in-person, fostering connections within the BCBR community.

Listen to Rod Cotton Talk About the Purpose of Our BCBR Gala

BCBR Endowment

In 2021, Cohort 3 established the Barry Lawson Williams Endowed BCBR Program Fund, starting with over $115,000 in designated gifts. The goal is to raise a $10 million endowment to ensure long-term support for the BCBR community.

Proceeds from the BCBR Endowment will enable: continued creation of tailored lists of qualified board candidates, highlighting the strength of diverse talent; in-person and virtual networking events for BCBR members; and ongoing education opportunities to promote excellence and inclusion in corporate boardrooms.

Donate to BCBR   How to Give

 

BLACK CORPORATE BOARD READINESS (BCBR)
DONOR ADVISED FUND (DAF) PAYMENTS

Thank you for making a donation to support the BCBR Endowment Fund.

Payment Instructions

If you have already benefited from the immediate tax deductions offered by donor-advised
funds (DAFs), you should know that Santa Clara University is an IRS-qualified public charity, and
therefore eligible to receive contributions from your gift fund. Please follow the instructions
provided by your fund regarding minimum contribution, the process for recommending grants,
etc.

When you submit a grant recommendation from your DAF, please make sure to note that this
donation is for the BCBR Endowment.

Santa Clara University’s tax ID number is: 94-1156617.

If you choose to send a check via your DAF, please make checks payable to Santa Clara
University and mail to the following address:

Santa Clara University
Development Office
500 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95053-1400

Note About Donor Advised Funds

Donors cannot use a donor-advised fund (DAF) to directly fulfill their pledges, purchase tickets,
or receive any benefit.

Questions?

Please contact Allison Wong at awong8@scu.edu and she will be happy to assist you.

Sponsors

2024 BCBR Gala Sponsors

 

Gala Planning Committee 

Committee Co-Chair

Caretha Coleman

Board Chair, Adviser, Principal

Committee Co-Chair

Rod Cotton

Board Member, Advisor, Biotech Executive, Former SVP Roche, Orchard Software, Roche, Community Health

Cohort 2

Wanda Cole-Frieman

SVP of Talent Acquisition at CommonSpirit Health

Cohort 7

Nathan Cox

President/CEO at InRoads Credit Union

Cohort 7

Andre V. Chapman

President & CEO Fostering Promise

Cohort 4

Wendy-Kay Logan

Director and Head of Business Strategy - Search Ads, Google

Cohort 4

Anita Lynch

Chief Data Officer, New Relic

Cohort 5

Selika Josiah Talbott

Founder/CEO, Autonomous Vehicle Consulting, LLC

Cohort 8

Sharawn Denise Tipton

Chief People and Culture Officer at LiveRamp

Cohort 10

Eric Shaw

Director at SF Mayors Office of Housing and Community Development

Cohort 6

Sherie Hickman

CEO at Sutter Health

Cohort 3

Deidra Jackson

Senior Advisor, FTI Consulting

Cohort 9

Denise Reese

Founder & CEO at The Grace Collection

Cohort 10

Michelle Rider

Chief Marketing Officer at Marvin Behavioral Health

Barry's 100 Black Voices Video Archive Project

A video collection of interviews covering the public company corporate board experiences of 100 leading Black directors.

100 Black Voices Project Summary

Contact US

If you would like more information about Gala Sponsorship to support the BCBR Program, email us at: bcbr@scu.edu

 

Explore BCBR

Share Your Story #MyBCBRStory

Share your story by using #MyBCBRStory and tag @scuexeced on social media.

LInkedIn Icon

LinkedIn

Instagram Icon

Instagram

Facebook Icon

Facebook