Mellody Hobson

Photo by Joi Ito on Flickr

   For the past few decades, it’s been increasingly difficult to walk down any given street without spotting at least fifteen different hands holding an iconic cup of Starbucks coffee, distinct with its mermaid logo and inviting aroma. Whether it be an iced caramel macchiato popular among the teens, or a steaming black coffee in the hands of a chronically stressed adult, Starbucks has become an quintessential staple in American culture. What few know about this wildly successful chain is that a promising name in the business world, also the only African American female chair of an S&P company, will soon have a huge role in the future success of the company: Mellody Hobson.

  Following the corporation’s announcement in early December of last year, this Princeton graduate was announced to be appointed as a Chair of the Board. Hobson’s accomplished track record eases the minds of any concerned for the future of the company, especially during the everlasting pandemic that seems to have taken down almost every American business. As co-CEO of Ariel Investments (an asset management firm), vice chair of World Business Chicago, co-chair of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, a member of the Rockefeller Foundation Board of Trustees, and recognition from Time Magazine as one of the “100 Most Influential People” in 2015, her experience will provide the intellect and leadership skills necessary to lead the Board. Though, just like any woman of color, Hobson’s experiences as a successful black woman in modern-day America have not always been favorable. In her Ted Talk dating a few years back, Hobson enlightens the audience on how: “it’s time for us to be comfortable with the uncomfortable conversation about race. If we truly believe in equal rights and equal opportunity in America, we need to have real conversations about this issue. We can’t be color blind, we have to be color brave.” She also lets on the significant disparity and low number of minority CEOs in the Fortune 250, as well as how out of thousands of publicly traded companies, only two are chaired by black women, one of them being Hobson herself. With disappointment, she sighs: “I work in the investment business, and we have a saying — the numbers don’t lie.”

  The alarming lack of women in executive positions at  top corporations cannot go unnoticed.  According to a recent Forbes article citing Bloomberg: “just 15 S&P 500 companies have a female chair, among the companies in which the CEO does not hold the top role.” Hobson is sure to inspire driven women all around the globe, specifically women of color, through her budding career and future accomplishments. We look to the next generation of female entrepreneurs and executives to carry on the legacy Hobson and so many others put before us.