Per GoBearcats:
University of Cincinnati men’s basketball coach John Brannen, with the support of Cincinnati Bell. Inc., has pledged participation in the McLendon Minority Leadership Initiative (“Minority Leadership Initiative,” or “MLI”). This coach-driven initiative includes more than 70 collegiate coaches and provides minorities a jump-start to their careers through practical experiences and opportunities to build their network while instilling the values of John McLendon: Integrity, Education, Leadership, and Mentorship. Participants in the initiative will be known as MLI Future Leaders.
Brannen, as an Ambassador for the MLI, is personally funding a MLI Future Leader position in the UC Athletics Department while Cincinnati Bell, Inc., is providing matching funds in each of the next four years. The Future leader will spend nine months working within UC Athletics and three months working with Cincinnati Bell.
“It’s an honor to have the chance to team up with Cincinnati Bell and the McLendon Foundation to provide access and opportunity to minorities and help jump-start their careers,” Brannen said. “Over the next four years, this partnership will focus on providing real-world experience and networking platforms designed to elevate talented minority candidates who have previously been ignored by a system that lacks diversity and inclusion. I want to thank Cincinnati Bell, Inc., for their contribution and look forward to watching this initiative continue to grow.
“I am extremely pleased that UC Athletics and Cincinnati Bell, Inc., have joined me in the initiative,” Brannen said. “Making a difference in college athletics is at the root of the MLI, but our hope is that this initiative can make a broader impact across all levels of athletics and in other industries as we help build a path of opportunity for our minority leaders of tomorrow.”
“Cincinnati Bell is proud to partner with Coach Brannen and the University of Cincinnati on this important initiative,” said Leigh Fox, President and CEO of Cincinnati Bell. “We look forward to welcoming MLI Future Leaders to Cincinnati Bell and providing valuable experiences and mentoring that are necessary to achieving successful executive careers.”
More information regarding the MLI, including application information for interested and qualified individuals, can be found at MinorityLeaders.org.
About the McLendon Minority Leadership Initiative Foundation
The McLendon Minority Leadership Initiative Foundation is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization that was created in 2020 to provide minorities a jump-start to their careers through practical experiences, opportunities to build their network, and instilling the values of John McLendon: Integrity, Education, Leadership, and Mentorship. Since its inception, the MMLI Foundation has raised over $1 million in funding MLI Future Leader positions at institutions across the country.
