Center Stage: Colin Powell, the First African-American Secretary of State

Page BreakColin Powell is a retired four-star general, politician, and diplomat who served as the 65th United States Secretary of State. He was the first African-American to sit in this role. BNC’s Anthony Amey highlights Powell’s impressive life and career journey on ”Center Stage.” Powell grew up in the Bronx as a first-generation American born to Jamaican parents. He attended an ROTC program at CCNY and graduated in 1958 becoming a second lieutenant of the army. The renowned leader served two tours in Vietnam and was wounded in each and several other tours that brought him all over the world. He has 11 military decorations including a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Soldier’s Medal.

Powell was the 12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest military position in the Department of Defense. He then served under Republican President George W. Bush, a controversial term because of inaccurate justification for the U.S. to join the Iraq War in 2003. He did not return once Bush was reelected in 2004. He became a public speaker and author later in life.

Former NATO Allied Commander and retired General Wesley Clark joins “Start Your Day” to talk about his friend, his heroic decisions, and the racial challenges he faced in the world.

“One of the great things about Colin Powell is he never forgot where he came from,” Clark says. He hopes to share these types of fascinating life stories on his podcast “The Global Beacon.”

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