About
Cordell
carter
What you should know about Cordell
CORDELL CARTER, ESQ.
Is a distinguished leader and advocate in the fields of education/leadership development, belonging, and community engagement. As the CEO of the Carson Scholars Fund, he has dedicated his career to fostering academic excellence and providing scholarships to talented young individuals across the United States. His commitment to educational equity is further exemplified through his role as the founding director of the Aspen Institute Project on Belonging, where he champions initiatives that promote inclusivity and a sense of belonging in diverse communities. He is also the founder of the Festival of the Diaspora, a Medellin, CO based convener of leaders from across the Americas.
Carter’s expertise and dedication have also earned him a prestigious appointment by President Biden as a Commissioner to the President’s Commission on the White House Fellowship (2021-2025). In this role, he contributes to the development of future leaders by identifying and nurturing talented individuals who are committed to public service. His previous recognition by President Obama as a Champion of Change for Computer Science Education (2016) highlights his advocacy for integrating technology and computer science into education, ensuring that underserved communities have access to critical resources and opportunities.
In summary, Carter is a visionary leader whose work transcends borders and disciplines. His dedication to the principles of belonging, education, and community empowerment has garnered him national recognition and respect. Through his roles as CEO, director, board member, and speaker, he continues to influence and inspire individuals and organizations to prioritize inclusivity and equity in their missions. As he moves forward, Carter remains committed to creating a world where everyone has opportunities to thrive and belong, making a lasting impact on future generations.
In January 2025, the City of Tacoma, Washington, honored Carter with a Key to the City, recognizing his significant contributions to national and global discussions surrounding belonging. This accolade reflects his influence and the impact of his work on various communities, emphasizing the importance of creating environments where individuals feel valued and accepted.
Over the last decade, he has spoken in 15 different countries and 20 US states. His leadership has been recognized all over the USA.
Some of his honors include:
- Cordell was awarded a Key to the City of Tacoma for his work on Belonging by Mayor Victoria Woodard (January 20th, 2025)
- A designation as a 2023 Minority Executives Making Moves by the Minority Business Review
- In June 2021, President Joseph R. Biden appointed him as Commissioner, to the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships.
- 2021 Distinguished Alumni Leadership Award by Cultural Vistas an Eisenhower Fellowship to China
- Designation as a “40 under 40” by business and civic organizations in Washington State and Tennessee
- University of Notre Dame Law School Alumni of the Year awardee
- Selections as a Robert Bosch Foundation Fellow for Young American Leaders and a Broad Foundation Resident in Urban Education and being feted by the Obama Administration as a 2016 Champion of Change for Computer Science Education.
- 2016 Zhi-Ying Eisenhower Fellowship to China
He serves a global
community of leaders...
He curates more than three dozen off-the-record leadership seminars annually in capital cities around the world reaching more than 1,000 leaders each year.
He is also leading the Aspen Institute’s efforts to shift the national conversation on racial equity and inclusion from compliance to belonging via a LATAM-based summit called the “Festival of the Diaspora.
As the creator and lead facilitator of “Becoming an Inclusive Republic” and producer of the documentary , The Road Trip to Belonging.
A sought-after facilitator and speaker on belonging and inclusion, post-secondary success, and democratic ideals.
Cordell regularly advises leaders and boards of directors at various points on their enterprise-wide inclusion and belonging learning journeys.
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