Linda Thompson-Black
Linda Thompson-Black is an education and human services executive.
Currently, she serves as the Pacific Northwest Area Development Director for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). Her area includes Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. Thompson-Black started her tenure with UNCF in 2016. Prior to working for UNCF, she was the Director of Field Operations for Communities in Schools (CIS) National, where she worked for over 20 years. While in this role, Thompson-Black established new affiliates and revitalized state and local affiliate groups that were facing challenges. Under her leadership, the number of students served by affiliates grew from 500,000 to 1.3 million, marking a 260 percent increase in the network's reach.
Thompson-Black was also the special assistant to Mayor Norm Rice and Council Member Rice on education and human services. She helped lead the successful Education Summit during his tenure, which resulted in the passage of the families and education levy, $7 million a year for seven years, or $49 million at the time. Thompson-Black earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communications and a Master of Public Administration, Organizational Development, Program Analysis and Budgeting. She is passionate about creating successful educational opportunities for students of color and all students.