Leadership of General Colin Powell and Alma Powell
Under the leadership of our Founding Chairman, General Colin Powell, and our current Board Chair, Alma Powell, the Alliance has become the nation’s largest partnership focused on the well-being of our young people.
For the past decade, Colin and Alma Powell have generously committed their time, energy, creativity, financial resources and leadership to improving the lives of our nation’s children through the America’s Promise Alliance.
From 1997 to 1999, the work of the Alliance and General Powell revolved around continuing the clarion call that young people must become our urgent national priority. America began to respond. Governors launched new, statewide Promise efforts. Corporate leaders undertook or expanded volunteer and philanthropic initiatives for young people, and served as community champions. Elected officials at every level embraced the principles and agenda articulated at the Summit.
Today, the Alliance encompasses more than 300 partner organizations representing the business community, nonprofits, communities and policymakers.
Mrs. Powell has been chair of the Alliance since 2004 and has spent the last four decades advocating for the needs of young people and encouraging Americans at home and abroad to engage in volunteer service. She also chairs the advisory board for the Pew Center for Civic Change, and from 1989 to 2000 served as the chairman of the National Council of the Best Friends Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of young girls. She is the author of two children’s books, My Little Wagon and America’s Promise, which were published in 2003.
“Everyone, both big and small, can pull their weight, and ensure that the hopes and dreams of every child become realities.” –
Alma Powell
Read Transcripts of Speeches by General and Mrs. Powell