Rosalind Brewer to Headline CUL Empowerment Day #ohiombe

 Rosalind Brewer, president and CEO of Sam’s Club, the warehouse club division of Walmart Stores, Inc., will headline this year’s 38th Annual Columbus Urban League (CUL) Empowerment Day.

“The Columbus Urban League is changing lives by empowering families in need, and I am thankful to be a part of a meaningful event that highlights, advances and celebrates family stabilization,” said Ms. Brewer.

Ms. Brewer is the first woman and first African-American to lead a Walmart division. Forbes magazine recently named her one of the “World’s 100 Most Powerful Women” and “Most Powerful Black Women of 2013”. Working Mother magazine also recently named her one of the “Most Powerful Working Mom

Since being named CEO of Sam’s Club in 2011, Ms. Brewer has implemented a growth strategy focused on associate empowerment, investment in technology and sustainable practices, building clubs of the community and accelerating the brand’s U.S. footprint. She reinforces the brand’s 30-year commitment to small business growth and success through philanthropy, investment in savings and innovative services for millions of Sam’s Club business members.

“We are deeply honored that Rosalind will be joining us this year. Her exemplary leadership, service and advocacy ideally equip her to teach all of us her approaches to empowering others,” said Stephanie Hightower, President and CEO of the CUL. She added, “I am confident that she will reach and rekindle the passions of Central Ohioans who strive to contribute to the community every day.”

The Columbus Urban League’s 38th Annual Empowerment Day luncheon is on November 4, 2013, at noon at the Hyatt Regency. This signature annual event recognizes and celebrates noteworthy corporations, businesses and individuals who have championed the principles of equal opportunity, civil rights and social justice in Central Ohio.

Co-chairs of the event are two of Central Ohio’s leading executives and female C-Suite officers: Gale V. King, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for Nationwide Insurance, and Mary Navarro, Senior Executive Vice President for Huntington Bank.

“As a corporate and community leader, Rosalind’s success as an officer of a global corporation challenges both our minds and our hearts to the call to act, not just as women, but as community change agents dedicated to creating real opportunities for everyone,” said Ms. Navarro.

To make sure that Ms. Brewer’s message is heard by the next generation of Columbus community leaders, the CUL is bringing together a select group of high school and college women and aspiring female professionals for this year’s celebration. This group will be supported by an Advocate Circle of Central Ohio women.

Ms. Hightower points to the pressing importance of empowering lives though advocating for urban families in Columbus, where more than a third of all children rely on food stamps to eat, nearly a third of children start school a year behind academically, and the city has one of the highest overall poverty rates among 16 comparable metropolitan areas.