Black History Month: Columbus Urban League honors Donna James

Courtesy of ABC6/WYSX
By Maria Durant
February 22, 2021

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Donna James has always had a gift for helping others.

“From my high school days, people would say, Donna, you’re always the person we’d go to for advice. I’m a problem solver,” she said.

Now Donna uses that advice and counsel in her own business. She’s the managing editor of Lardon & Associates, a company that helps shape leaders.

And good leaders she says are needed, especially during a time when she says the country is dealing with two crises: racism and the pandemic.

“It’s certainly amped up the focus of diversity, equity, and inclusion. and ramped up the focus of health and safety of employees and also the emphasis on leaders and how they lead in a moment like this,” she said.

Donna James and four other women will be honored at the Columbus Urban League’s “Black History Month Women’s Celebration” on Saturday, February 27th. (Photo courtesy: Donna James)

James says many companies are interested in change, making diversity a reality.

“The level of awareness on what they know and don’t know for a lot of companies is up. And you still have leaders who need to put a lot more emphasis on awareness so that their words can be more than words and put them into action,” James said.

James and four other women will be honored at the Columbus Urban League’s “Black History Month Women’s Celebration” on Saturday, Feb. 27.