Perdue’s program at Bennett College has been especially effective, Harris says. Named after Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole, the outgoing president of the college, the institute has “done a great job, and they get CEOs in on a regular basis to teach,” Harris says.
The institute grew out of a March 2004 forum for CDOs. After the forum, a number of the participating CDOs approached Cole with the idea of starting an institute and promised to help with the funding. The institute now holds workshops and offers research into business diversity issues. Its next CDO Forum is being held this month in Greensboro, N.C.
“There’s been a tremendous increase in the number of CDOs in the past five to eight years,” says Perdue. “Companies realize that the position is as critical as the chief financial officer.” Universities have also introduced their versions of CDOs, and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has instituted a CDO at the State Department.
Bennett’s institute has received a $1.5 million donation from Food Lion, which is also based in NorthCarolina.
Diversity Inc. and the mortgage company Fannie Mae have each pledged $500,000. The college has also added a certificate in business diversity issues and plans to add an undergraduate degree in the near future.
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