Keiana Barrett Appointed CEO of Business Leadership Council, Poised to Advance Black Business Leadership

Keiana Barrett has been selected as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Business Leadership Council (BLC), a prominent Chicago-based organization representing Black corporate leaders and entrepreneurs. With a distinguished background in communications, diversity, and civic engagement, Barrett brings extensive experience and a clear vision for advancing the organization's mission of supporting minority-owned businesses.

The BLC, founded in 2010 by ComEd President Frank Clark and Loop Capital CEO James Reynolds, has established itself as a critical resource for Black business professionals across Chicago. The organization represents over 120 business leaders from more than 100 companies, including 65 CEOs of African American businesses and senior executives from major corporations.

Barrett's professional trajectory includes significant roles in national advocacy and communication, having served as National Press Secretary for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Director of Communication for the Congressional Black Caucus, and Senior Advisor to the 2024 Democratic National Convention Host Committee. Her most recent role as Chief Diversity Officer at Sterling Bay further underscores her commitment to organizational inclusivity and professional advancement.

In her new role, Barrett emphasized her commitment to the organization's founding principles. She intends to drive measurable impact by ensuring that inclusion becomes a practical business strategy, not merely a theoretical concept. Her approach focuses on enhancing bottom-line performance while simultaneously developing pathways for emerging business leaders.

The BLC's strategic objectives include growing the scale and capacity of African American businesses, advancing corporate professionals' careers, and nurturing the next generation of leadership. Barrett's appointment signals a continued dedication to these goals, leveraging her extensive network and deep understanding of economic empowerment within the Black business community.

Executive Board Chairman Charles Smith highlighted the organization's mentorship role, recognizing the BLC as a critical platform for supporting younger business professionals and entrepreneurs. Barrett's leadership is expected to further amplify this mission, creating more opportunities for Black business leaders to connect, grow, and succeed.