Hooks Institute Board welcomes LaDonna R. Young and Steve Swain
July 28, 2021 — The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change at the University of Memphis welcomes LaDonna R. Young and Steve Swain to its Board. The Advisory Board assists the Institute in the strategic development and implementation of its mission and programs. Members have included community activists, attorneys, engineers, corporate, public relations officials and clergy.
About LaDonna R. Young
LaDonna R. Young is the dean of Humanities, Social Sciences and Mathematics at Southwest Tennessee Community College. She earned her BA from Christian Brothers University and an MA in Teaching and EdD in Higher and Adult Education at the University of Memphis. Young’s career has centered around two defining themes: 1) developing successful and innovative programs for minoritized, underrepresented and historically marginalized student populations and 2) developing, coaching and empowering the faculty and professionals charged to educate them.
“I am extremely honored to serve on the Hooks Institute Board to further the Institute’s work to promote civil rights and social change through research, education and direct intervention programs,” Young said. “I look forward to serving with such a phenomenal group of servant leaders to mitigate disparities related to race, education, diversity and inclusion and economic mobility through The Hooks African American Male Initiative and A Seat at the Table programs.”
About Steve Swain
Steve Swain is a senior vice president and community lending manager at Pinnacle Financial Partners. He leads the lending production office teams and partners with consumer, mortgage and community development to deliver lending programs. Swain is also a member of Pinnacle’s Corporate Social Responsibility, Community Development and Retail Credit committee. Swain received his bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from the University of Montevallo in Alabama. He currently serves as vice president of the Memphis CRA Association.
“I am committed to serving the underserved community and advocating for those who are limited or do not have a voice,” Swain said. “Serving on the Hooks Institute Board aligns with this effort and provides an even greater opportunity to help make a difference in the area of social change.”
About the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change
The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute implements its mission of teaching, studying and promoting civil rights and social change through research, education and direct intervention programs. Institute programs include community outreach; funding faculty research initiatives on community issues; implementing community service projects; hosting conferences, symposiums and lectures; and promoting local and national scholarship on civil and human rights. The Hooks Institute is an interdisciplinary center at the University of Memphis. Contributed revenue for the Hooks Institute, including funding from individuals, corporations and foundations, is administered through the University of Memphis Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, visit memphis.edu/benhooks.