January 27, 2021
Dear Spelman Community,
With pride and joy, I join you in sharing heartfelt congratulations to our beloved board chair and Spelman sister Roz Brewer on being named the CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., a merger of an American company that operates as the second-largest pharmacy store chain in the United States and Switzerland-based Alliance Boots, a multinational pharmacy-led health and beauty group.
Her appointment makes her the only Black woman CEO
of a Fortune 500 company.
Since 2006, we have been blessed with Roz’s service as a trustee. She stepped up to the position of chair in 2011. Her steady hand, clear vision, deep appreciation for faculty and staff, and fierce love of Spelman students and alumnae are everywhere evident. She has been indefatigable in her commitment to the College’s unmatched academic outcomes.
Her path through excellence is a perfect example of how the Spelman experience lays the foundation for a lifetime. After graduating with a degree in chemistry from Spelman, Roz began serving as a chemist at Kimberly-Clark Corp., rising in the ranks over 22 years to become president of the corporation’s Global Nonwovens Sector.
Her subsequent successes rising from regional vice president at Walmart to CEO of Sams Club and her current role as Starbuck’s COO and group president have led to her most recent accomplishment. At Walgreens, she’ll lead a $40B global
enterprise that is a key player in the distribution of vaccines for COVID-19.
In addition to her professional career and volunteer service, Roz balances her responsibilities as mother of two children, John, III, a real estate investment banker and daughter Camryn, a senior in high school. She and her spouse of more than 30 years, Morehouse College graduate John Brewer, Jr. chairman and CEO, Vantage Private Capital, are passionate parents and superb role models.
Roz Brewer is one link in a long chain of wondrous Spelman women: Stacey Abrams, Marian Wright Edelman, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Dovey Johnson Roundtree, Alice Walker and all of the alumnae to come. She continues a long line of undaunted Spelman women.
Roz, the entire Spelman community is proud of you. You remind us, in the words of the young poet, Amanda Gorman:
"When day comes, we step out of the shade, aflame and unafraid.
The new dawn blooms as we free it.
For
there is always light.
If only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it."
You are our beacon of heavenly light. Thank you.
With love, admiration and appreciation,
