Bruce S. Gordon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bruce Gordon
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| President and CEO of the NAACP | |
| In office 2005–2007 |
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| Preceded by | Dennis Courtland Hayes (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Dennis Courtland Hayes (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Bruce Scott Gordon
February 15, 1946 Camden, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Education | Gettysburg College (BA) Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MBA) |
Bruce Scott Gordon was born on February 15, 1946. He is an American business leader. He worked for a company called Verizon for most of his career. Today, he helps lead big companies like CBS, Northrop Grumman, and Tyco International. From June 2005 to March 2007, he was the head of the NAACP. This is a very important civil rights organization in America.
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Early Life and Education
Bruce Gordon was born in Camden, New Jersey. His parents were active in the civil rights movement. This means they worked to make sure all people had equal rights.
He went to Gettysburg College and graduated in 1968. Later, in 1988, he earned a Master's degree in Management. He got this degree from the MIT Sloan School of Management.
Bruce Gordon's Career Journey
Bruce Gordon started his career at a company called Bell of Pennsylvania. He moved up in the company over the years. When he retired in December 2003, he was in charge of the Retail Markets Division at Verizon. Other leaders at Verizon have said that Bruce Gordon helped the company become more diverse. He also helped them focus on good customer service.
Awards and Recognition
Bruce Gordon has received many important awards for his work.
- In March 2007, the American Advertising Federation added him to their Advertising Hall of Fame. This is a very high honor in the advertising world.
- Ebony magazine named him one of the “100 Most Influential Black Americans and Organization Leaders” in May 2006.
- In July 2002, Fortune magazine listed him as #6 on their list of the “50 Most Powerful Black Executives.”
- Black Enterprise magazine named him executive of the year in 1998.
Current Board Memberships
Today, Bruce Gordon is a member of the boards of several large companies. These include CBS Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, and Tyco International, Ltd. He also works as a consultant, helping big companies improve their diversity. He is a trustee for organizations like the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. He also serves on advisory boards for groups like the New York Urban League.
Leading the NAACP
Bruce Gordon became the president of the NAACP on June 25, 2005. This was seen as unusual because most past presidents were well-known politicians or religious leaders. However, the NAACP board voted for him unanimously. He took over from Kweisi Mfume, who had resigned earlier.
Working with President Bush
On July 20, 2006, President George W. Bush spoke at the NAACP meeting. This was the first time he had addressed the organization during his presidency. White House spokesman Tony Snow said that President Bush agreed to speak because of Bruce Gordon's balanced views.
Why Gordon Left the NAACP
Bruce Gordon resigned from his role in March 2007. He said that he had different ideas from some members of the board. He wanted to find new ways to help the African American community. He felt his plans were not supported by enough board members. He stated, "I did not step into the role to be a caretaker, to be dictated to."
