30 leaders 30 & under

Ebony, Nov, 1998 by Lynn Norment

They are assertive, resourceful and charismatic, but more importantly, they choose to use their talent, intellect and leadership qualities to make their communities and cities a better place for all residents.

The 1998 Ebony listing of young leaders shines a spotlight on 30 of the nation's most talented movers and shakers who are age 30 and younger. Though perhaps considered "kids" by some in the established political and civic circles, they are proving with their actions, deeds and hearts that they have much to offer.

Ebony asked established leaders in civic, political, religious and creative arenas to recommend young people who are already leaders or who have the potential to be great leaders. Among those recommended and selected by Ebony's Editorial Board are Richard Boykin, chief of staff to Rep. Danny K. Davis, D-Ill., in Washington, as well as Theron Jackson, a pastor and candidate for mayor of Shreveport, La. We also feature Dr. Cynthia Williams Turner, an assistant professor at the University of Illinois who is involved in numerous community organizations, and Gregory Williams, president of the Barristers' Association of Philadelphia.

The 30 young adults featured here are by no means the only African-Americans age 30 and younger who are making waves and giving back to their communities. However, they are representative of the wealth of talented young people who are giving back to their communities and preparing to move to the forefront of American society.

Gregory B. Williams, 29, an associate attorney with Fox, Rothschild, O'Brien & Frankel, Philadelphia; president, Barristers' Association of Philadelphia, which has more than 1,000 members; board member, Corporate Alliance for Drug Education; co-chair, Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast Committee, Barristers' Association; investigator for Commission on Judicial Selection and Retention, Philadelphia Bar Association; vice co-chair, Minority, Attorney Committee, Pennsylvania Bar Association; board member, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Development Corporation; member, Urban League Young Professionals; pro-bono counsel for Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent Program and represents indigent prisoners in cases where there is alleged violations of prisoners' civil rights.

Tiffany Cochran, 29, weekend morning anchor and general assignment reporter, WXIA-TV, Atlanta; board member, "I AM," a youth empowerment organization; board member, American Cancer Society, Mid-Atlanta Unit; volunteer with Prison Outreach Program, Hillside Chapel & Truth Center (church).

Theron Jackson, 29, chief administrative officer, The Petra Group, Inc., Shreveport, La.; oversees operations at the training and consultant business that places welfare recipients in jobs; pastor, Mount Olive Baptist Church; candidate for mayor, City of Shreveport (election Oct. 98); board member, Habitat for Humanity of NW Louisiana and Louisiana State Fair Corp.; former chairman, Board of Christian Education, Morning Star Baptist Church; president-elect, Citizens Leadership Academy.

Cathy Hampton, 30, counsel, Turner Entertainment Group, Atlanta; negotiates publishing, merchandising, electronic commerce and internet advertising agreements; oversees trademarks for Turner, World Championship Wrestling, Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Thrashers (hockey) professional sports teams; former counsel for NBA Properties Inc.; board member, VOX (metro Atlanta student newspaper); volunteer with Big Sisters Inc. and Sponsors for Educational Opportunity; pro-bono counsel for victims of domestic violence.

Richard Boykin, 30, chief of staff, U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis, Washington, D.C.; oversees a staff of 25 and $1 million budget; former Congressional Black Caucus Fellow in the office of Sen. Carol Moseley-Braun; recipient, 1998 National Association of Community Health Centers Distinguished Service Award and 1997 U.S. Department of Justice Litigation Award; associate pastor, Metropolitan Baptist Church.

Cynthia Williams Turner, Ph.D. 30, CPA and assistant professor, Dept. of Accountancy, Univ. of Illinois, Champaign; recipient, 1998 Distinguished Alumni Award, National Association for Equal Opportunity; assistant director, Young Adult Choir, Canaan M.B. Church; former board member, A Woman's Fund; former board treasurer, Frances Nelson Health Center; mentor, Univ. of Illinois Ronald McNair Scholars Program; member, Univ. of Illinois Senate Committee on Equal Opportunity; member, 1998 conference committee, Illinois Committee on Black Concerns in Higher Education; member, Canaan Federal Credit Union Planning Committee.

Sonja L. Banks, 29, analyst, Department of Economic Development, City of Birmingham, Ala.; coordinates policy planning and research, and prepares and manages the department's $2 million-plus annual budget; part-time instructor, Miles College; member, Community Development Committee and former education chair, Birmingham NAACP; member, Birmingham Housing Policy Board; founder-president, Black United Fund of Greater Birmingham; volunteer teacher, Junior Achievement; former program chair, Political Congress of Black Women; volunteer, Sardis Baptist Church Scholarship Committee; member, Demographic Committee, Minority Business Council; finance chair, Tomorrow's Leaders (program spearheaded by the Boy Scouts of America to work with inner-city youth).