RW Jones Agency is pleased to announce that Ashley Northington, Vice President and Managing Director, has been appointed to the Tennessee HBCU Success Advisory Board by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. She will begin her three-year term immediately.
“As a proud alumna of Tennessee State University, it is an honor to offer my service in this capacity, which will allow me to support my alma mater, as well as the other six HBCU institutions in Tennessee,” Northington said. “As a storyteller and an advocate, I am excited about the opportunity to ensure each of these institution’s unique stories are told in ways that honor their legacies, highlight their histories, and sustain their relevance.”
Northington’s career is focused on shaping narratives that champion equity and activate positive change. Through those experiences, she has developed a speciality in serving the needs of HBCUs and other minority serving institutions nationwide. At RW Jones, she is responsible for spearheading the firm’s HBCU practice. As part of this work, Northington launched the On the Yard podcast to highlight the unique trends, successes, and challenges faced by minority-serving institution advocates and administrators.
“We are excited about the energy, enthusiasm, and expertise Ashley will bring to the advisory board,” said Dr. Brittany L. Mosby, director of HBCU Success, Tennessee Higher Education Commission. “We are looking forward to the guidance and support each board member will bring to this very important work.”
Northington joins the advisory board along with other appointees: Dr. Andre Churchwell, Professor and Senior Dean for Diversity Affairs, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine; Officer Shelley Clemmons, Community Outreach Coordinator, Knoxville Police Department; Carol Johnson Dean; Brandi Smith, Global Customer Experience & Operations Senior Director, Asurion; Elaine Stallworth-Washington, Director of Benefit Finances and Investments, Eastman Chemical Company; and Mr. Ernest Strickland, President and CEO, Black Business Association of Memphis. Laschinski Emerson, Director, A1 Learning Connections and Doug Magee, Associate Head of High School, Ensworth School were re-appointed to their posts. The presidents of each historically Black institution also serve as members of the board.
The Tennessee HBCU Success Advisory Board was established in 2018 by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to increase the capacity of Tennessee’s HBCUs to provide the highest quality of education to students, and to take advantage of these institutions’ capabilities in meeting the state’s postsecondary attainment needs.
The HBCU Success Advisory Board provides advice and support in key areas including: improving identity, visibility, and distinctive capabilities and overall competitiveness of HBCUs; elevating the public awareness of HBCUs; and encouraging public-private investments in HBCUs.
