Since her graduation from Wellesley College in 1981, Desirée Rogers has been named one of the 50 most powerful African-American women in business by Black Enterprise and one of the "Top 25 Women to Watch" by Crain's Chicago Business. Among many prestigious posts, she has served as the first African-American White House social secretary and now acts as chief executive officer of Johnson Publishing Co., the publisher of Ebony and Jet magazines.
She will return to campus to discuss her journey during the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Lecture, "The Making of a Woman," Wednesday, Oct. 6, at 7:30 pm in Diana Chapman Walsh Alumnae Hall at Wellesley College. The event is free and open to the public.
"Desirée is a dynamic woman; an attractive role model and someone who will engage our students totally," said Selwyn Cudjoe, professor and chair of the Africana Studies Department at Wellesley. "She continues to dream the dreams that have made such an impact on our people. Her achievements are testimony to the heights to which our students can aspire."
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In 2008, President Obama named Rogers his social secretary. She was recruited to reposition the Obamas' nontraditional vision of the White House to be the "People's House." Her office produced 350 events in her 14-month tenure and turned the White House into a showcase for American art and culture. Rogers previously served as director of the Illinois State Lottery, a $2 billion state agency, and doubled instant ticket sales during her tenure. She has also been president of People's Energy and president of social networking at Allstate Financial.
Rogers has served on several corporate and non-for-profit boards, and is currently a member of the Wellesley College Business Leadership Council and the Wellesley Development and Outreach Council.
