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alumni/ae page |
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December 2000 This September, Neil Foote ’77 became chief operating officer for BlackAmericaWeb.com, a start-up internet company that will be launching a new website focusing on African American interests. The site is backed by nationally syndicated radio talk show host Tom Joyner, who was recently elected into the Radio Broadcaster’s Hall of Fame and has been featured on CBS’ 60 Minutes and most recently on the cover of Ebony magazine. Neil will be working with Joyner’s son Oscar to launch a site that will work to provide computers and internet access to those who currently don’t have either, to become a “town square” for information and commerce, and to publish new and existing content from sources around the world. Before launching BlackAmericaWeb.com, Neil was the director of Operating Company Partnerships for Belo Interactive Inc., the Dallas-based owner of seven newspapers, 17 television stations and 24 websites. He worked in The Morning News’ advertising department as sales manager, and as interactive media manager, where he helped manage and develop the CityView.com website, one of the early efforts at an online city guide. Neil has worked as a reporter at The Miami Herald and The Washington Post, covering crime, education, local government, business, and real estate. He was also minority affairs director at the American Society of Newspaper Editors in Virginia, working with newspapers and colleges on managing diversity recruitment and coverage. He has taught journalism and writing at Wesleyan University, American University, and Northern Virginia Community College. During his tenure in Dallas, Neil served on The Lamplighter School Parents’ Association board, and he is currently a member of the Dallas Fort Worth Minority Business Development Council’s Technology Committee. He is also a board member of the Child Care Group, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit group dedicated to training caregivers and providing daycare. After BFS, Neil earned a BA from Wesleyan University, a MSJ from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, and an MBA from Southern Methodist University. “Without hesitation, I can truly say that BFS helped me grow out of my shell and fueled my optimism and drive to succeed,” says Neil. It was junior year when I stood up at morning Meeting to announce a dance in the gym that was a yearbook fundraiser. My class was surprised... as was the rest of the school, who for the first time heard my booming voice, punctuated with what became my trademark “corny” jokes! From that moment on I became the “designated announcer,” often asked by schoolmates to announce bake sales, sports scores, upcoming plays, and occasional poetry readings. What’s my point? BFS helped me blossom. The support of the teachers, the administration, and my classmates was tremendous. I was pushed. I was challenged. I was encouraged. I became driven to achieve whatever was possible. BFS made me realize that the only obstacle to my dreams was my lack of desire to want to pursue them, not any external circumstances. I went on to get involved in all aspects at BFS—including acting in plays, writing for the school newspaper, and getting involved in campus politics. The foundation I built at BFS greatly helped me throughout my career. As I look back at my days at BFS, I smile at the great times I had. I hope that all BFS students—and faculty and administration, too!—value the unique and powerfully positive influence that BFS can have on life today and in the future. |
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