WASHINGTON, D.C. - Cheryl R. Cooper has been named Executive Director of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW).  It was announced by Dorothy I. Height, Chair and President Emerita of the organization. Ms. Cooper joins NCNW from AARP where she served as chief of staff for seven of her 12 years with that organization.  “Ms. Cooper brings to NCNW invaluable expertise from overseeing the operations of one of the world’s largest and most successful membership organizations,” said Dr. Height.

“As we look to strengthen our infrastructure and greatly expand our capacity, Ms. Cooper will play a leading role with a dynamic management team. Her skill set in organizational management and membership development, plus her training as a certified public accountant, will give NCNW strategic management and leadership to increase our services for African-American women and their families.”

“NCNW has a great history and I look forward to this unique opportunity to work with Dr. Height to address the needs of African-American women. We will continue to make Mary McLeod Bethune’s vision a reality and build a strong organization for the future,” said Cooper.
A native Washingtonian, Cooper graduated from Georgetown University with a B.S. in Business Administration.

Prior to joining AARP, she served between 1986 to l990 as a senior staff administrator with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.  She later became Assistant Treasurer from 1996 to 1997. Among her numerous professional and community activities, she is currently on the board of directors of the Washington Convention Center Authority and The Ellington Fund, and has recently served on the African-American Advisory Board of Georgetown University.

The National Council of Negro Women is a coalition of 38 national organizations and 250 community-based chartered sections with an outreach to 4 million women. NCNW is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has international offices in Senegal and Benin.