The Ida B. Wells Society has completed its transition to Morehouse College in Atlanta with the addition of three new staff members, bringing the anticipated team of workers to full capacity.
“I am beyond thrilled that we now have all our slots filled,” said Robbie Morganfield, executive director of IBWS. “I am even more excited about the caliber of individuals who have joined the team. Each one is exceptional.”
Julien C.E. Forrest, who holds a B.A. from Hampton University and a Master of Public Administration from Clark Atlanta University, came aboard as the Finance & Grants Manager specialist in fall 2023. He oversees financial management and assists with program planning. Forrest specializes in nonprofit leadership and grants management proposal/program design.
Both Arlette Hawkins and Kawana Bowman joined the staff in mid-February.
Hawkins is the program manager, overseeing the Society’s various programming initiatives and assisting with web and social networking development. She earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication from North Carolina A&T State University and her master’s in interactive media from Elon University. She previously held positions as a content marketing associate, digital content producer and television news producer. She also taught journalism as an adjunct college professor.
“At the top of this year, I was offered an opportunity I could not resist,” Hawkins said of her decision to join the Society. “In retrospect, it seems like the hints were in front of me, including meeting one of the founders at a visit to North Carolina A&T. I’m thrilled to join the team, make an impact on students’ and professionals’ trajectories, and work again at an HBCU.”
Bowman is the Society’s project manager and will oversee administrative functions as well as special projects. She earned a bachelor’s degree in human resource management from Strayer University and has started MBA studies at North Carolina A&T, where she previously served as an office administrator. She held a similar post at Morgan State University, prior to that, and completed several corporate assignments.
Morganfield said he and the team are working on programming that will impact high schools, colleges and the professional journalism industry.
“We exist to make a difference,” Morganfield said. “And we will do just that with this great team.”
