American Institute for Managing Diversity Announces First Class Of Diversity Leadership Academy of Atlanta

ATLANTA, Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Institute for Managing Diversity (AIMD) announced today an innovative partnership with The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) in which Juan Johnson, vice president and director of Diversity Strategies for The Coca-Cola Company, will assume the new role of President of the Diversity Leadership Academy.

Last year, the Diversity Leadership Academy of Atlanta was formed as a nonprofit unit of AIMD with a $1.5 million grant from The Coca-Cola Company. AIMD developed a comprehensive curriculum in which community leaders will invest five days in workshops, experiential learning and classwork facilitated at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University. Over the next four years, over 300 leaders will be accepted into the Academy and attend on fellowship funded by The Coca-Cola Company's grant.

Due to widespread interest in the DLA concept, AIMD is partnering with The Coca-Cola Company to expand the DLA programs into other communities nationally and internationally under Mr. Johnson's leadership.

"We are thrilled to have The Coca-Cola Company partner with us to expand the DLA into other communities," said Roosevelt Thomas, founder and president of AIMD. "To have an executive of Juan's caliber lead this effort is extraordinary."

Mr. Johnson, who will continue as a vice president of The Coca-Cola Company said, "This role offers an exciting opportunity for me to lead DLA's expansion into more communities and help address diversity issues broadly. I am pleased to do this as an officer of The Coca-Cola Company and proud of my Company's commitment."

AIMD also announced the first class for the Diversity Leadership Academy of Atlanta, which begins sessions at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies this month.

"We are pleased to have such an impressive group of leaders in this first Academy class," said Mr. Thomas. "The time and energy they are investing exemplifies genuine commitment to diversity, and models true community leadership."

A listing of the inaugural class of the Diversity Leadership Academy of Atlanta follows. Individuals interested in applying for fellowship to the Diversity Leadership Academy of Atlanta may contact The American Institute for Managing Diversity at 404-302-9226 or visit the website at www.aimd.org.

Diversity Leadership Academy Inaugural Class

Dr. Fahed Abu-Akel Executive Director Atlanta Ministry with International Students First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta

Jacquelyn H. Barrett Sheriff Fulton County Sheriff's Department

Bill Bolling CEO and Executive Director Atlanta Community Food Bank

Fred L. Bradley President & CEO YMCA of Atlanta

Brenda Foye Cornelius Commissioner Governor's Office of Human Relations

Lisa Cremin Director Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund

James K. Davis Sr. VP, Employee/Corporate Relations Georgia Power

Rene M. Diaz President Diaz Foods

Curly Dossman, Jr. President Georgia-Pacific Foundation

Sandy Douglas Executive VP and COO Coca-Cola North America

John H. Downs, Jr. Sr. VP, Public Affairs Coca-Cola Enterprises

Dr. Clinton Dye President & CEO The Atlanta Urban League, Inc.

Imam Plemon T. El-Amin Resident Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam

Sherry Frank Southeast Area Director The American Jewish Committee

Ronald E. Frieson Chief Diversity Officer BellSouth Corporation

Sara J. Gonzalez President Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Rabbi Arnold M. Goodman Ahavath Achim Congregation

Tricia Harris Managing Director The King Center

Ralph Hauck Facilitator Atlanta Baha'i Regional Training Institute

Dr. David B. Hawley Headmaster International School

Harriet Paulk Hessam Executive Director The Girl Scout Council of Northwest Georgia

Lynn Walker Huntley Executive VP, Comparative Human Relations Southern Education Foundation

Booker T. Izell VP, Community Affairs & Work Force Diversity The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Ingrid Saunders Jones Sr. VP, Corporate External Affairs The Coca-Cola Company

Dr. James E. Kantner Secretary, Office of Catholic Charities Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta

Maritza Soto Keen Executive Director The Latin American Association

Ayesha Khanna CEO YWCA of Greater Atlanta

Liane Levetan Former CEO DeKalb County

Stephen M. Macauley President The Macauley Companies, Inc.

Gary Miller Executive Director Jewish Family & Career Services, Inc

C. David Moody, Jr. President and CEO C.D. Moody Construction Co.

Dr. Robert E. Moore Associate Dean, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies Georgia State University

Randy L. New Co-Chairman Georgia Equality Project

Milton Nix, Jr. Director Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Mark O'Connell President and Chief Professional Officer United Way of Metro Atlanta

Vicki R. Palmer Sr. VP and Special Assistant to CEO Coca-Cola Enterprises

Melanie M. Platt Senior Vice President Business Support & Corporate Secretary AGL Resources

Bernard Porche' President 100 Black Men of Atlanta

Subash Razdan Past Chairman National Federation of Indian-American Associations

Dr. Lisa A. Rossbacher President Southern Polytechnic State University

Ellen Spears Associate Director Southern Regional Council

Belinda Stubblefield Vice President, Global Diversity Delta Air Lines, Inc.

Jerry Tipton President Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta

Pat Upshaw-Monteith Executive Director Leadership Atlanta

Allison Vulgamore President Atlanta Symphony Orchestra