By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, AFRO American Newspapers CEO and publisher, was recognized on Aug. 9 for being a powerful leader and making a positive difference in the community.
The William and Lanaea C. Featherstone Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to improve equity in underserved communities, recognized Draper with the Featherstone Changemaker Award during their annual award ceremony.
“I’m a product of so many change-makers that have done amazing things. I’m representing all of them tonight,” said Draper at the Featherstone Awards, held at the University of Baltimore. “I’m humbled and honored to receive the award and I am proud of the Featherstone Foundation for all the work they’re doing.”
Draper has been a leader throughout Baltimore for decades. She served on Morgan State University’s Board of Regents for 24 years and is the chair of the board of the AFRO American Newspapers, which her great-grandfather founded in 1892. She previously served as president of the company from 1987 to 1999.
During the ceremony, the Featherside Foundation awarded 27 college scholarships to help students begin or complete their higher education endeavors. The scholarships were awarded through the foundation’s $80,000 scholarship fund.
Previous winners of this award include Alicia Wilson, co-founder of the Black Philanthropy Circle; Catalina Rodriguez, director of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs; Monica Mitchell, co-founder of the Lillie May Carroll Jackson Middle School; and Pamela King, senior program manager of the Open Society Institute of Baltimore.
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