| Link Patricia Russell-McCloud
The 11th National President, Patricia Russell-McCloud took
the helm of leadership for Linkdom in 1994 with the anticipation of
definitive outcomes for the organization’s 21st century readiness.
Her vision, education, employment, experiences, training and proven
track record of accomplishment set the stage for success.
A Hoosier by birth, Patricia Russell-McCloud, was born in
Indianapolis, Indiana where she attended Shortridge High School.
Her undergraduate studies were at Kentucky State College, Frankfort,
Kentucky, after which she attended an intensive study program,
sponsored by the Council for Legal Educational Program, Harvard
University, Cambridge, MA, and matriculated for her Juris Doctorate
degree at Howard University School of Law, Washington, D.C.
Throughout her education, she was captured by the opportunity and
challenge of learning. Each course endeavor afforded new knowledge,
growth and understanding.
Since the early age of eight, this National President was at
the nation’s podiums as a gifted child prodigy, speaking to large
audiences in an oratorical, persuasive and motivational style. Many
awards and recognitions were presented to her, including the Elk’s
Oratorical Scholarship for her exceptional ability, talent and skill
in the art of public speaking.
As a professional, for a ten-year period, she worked as an
attorney for the Federal Communications Commission, Broadcast
Bureau, Washington, D. C., where she became Chief, of the Complaints
Branch. In so doing, she was the first African American female to
hold the position.
In l976, The Links, Incorporated, Arlington Chapter, accepted
her into membership, which served as a fulfillment to her heartfelt
commitment to empowering individuals who may otherwise be denied.
From the year of her induction into The Links, Incorporated, she has
served on the Executive Council of the organization, ranging from
the National Nominating Committee to the National President.
In l983, in her home church, she exchanged wedding vows with
Rev. Dr. E. Earl McCloud, Jr., and moved to San Antonio, Texas where
her husband was serving in the United States Army. Her husband,
Bishop E. Earl McCloud, Jr., is now the 127th elected and
consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the
Office of Ecumenical and Urban Affairs. As a member of the local
chapter, Link McCloud was highly responsive to program endeavors for
the benefit of the community which was being served. In the same
year, she formed her now internationally recognized company,
Russell-McCloud & Associates, as a professional orator and trainer.
Her professional caption is appropriate, for she is, “a visual
speaking experience”. After consistent development and expansion,
Russell-McCloud’s analytical ability to substantively address
issues, including achieving excellence, leadership, workplace
diversity and change, the crime index, among others, has made her a
speaker of choice. Her client base includes Fortune 500 and l00
companies, government, labor unions, military, colleges and
universities, school districts and religious organizations. She
has traveled across America, the Caribbean, Europe, South Africa and
West Africa.
During her lifetime she has received sterling awards of
achievement, including, her speech, “If Not You, Who? If Not Now,
When?” recorded in the Congressional Record of the United States
(H366l), May l4, 1980; awarded more than 275 keys to American
cities; participant in the Friendship Force, a good will tour of
Mexico during the Carter Administration; participant in the
American-Jewish Committee sponsorship of ten American women of
national acclaim on a human relations trip to Israel; featured in
the Black Enterprise Magazine as being one of the Top Five Business
Motivators in America; ESSENCE Magazine, EBONY Magazine, and
Atlanta Good Life. Her best selling book is entitled: A is
for Attitude: An Alphabet for Living, HarperCollins, paperback
edition. The National Speakers Association (NSA) selected Link
McCloud as the cover story for the 2007 July-August issue.
As a wife; committed church woman, especially to the Women’s
Missionary Society and the young people; entrepreneur; life member
of the NAACP; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; and civic volunteer;
she resides in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband. She is an active
member of the Dogwood City Chapter. Her loyalty to achieving, often
against the odds, is, in a word, unforgettable.
Link
Russell-McCloud led a dynamic, visionary, capable, dedicated team of
Links who focused their time, talent, ability and expertise on the
timely theme, “Linkages... Toward the Possible.” Each member of the
Executive Council, whether elected or appointed, concentrated her
efforts on creating seamless organizational leadership that
positively responded to the heart of Linkdom, programming. By doing
so, the needs of people were met.
|
