R. WAYNE WOODSON

RWayne Woodson considers himself a serial entrepreneur.

As a consultant, writer, speaker, educator, and business owner, he impacts numerous industries. Woodsonserves as managing partner & CEO for Woodson and Associates, executive director of The Woodson Foundation, and CEO of RWYN Incorporated. Recently, he accepted the Deputy Executive Director/ COO position for the National AIDS Education & Services for Minorities (NAESM), Inc. located in Atlanta, GA.

As a highly sought-after consultant, his primary specialty areas are fundraising, enrollment management, institutional effectiveness/ trategic planning, and leadership training. Woodson came to higher education after years of work in the non-profit sector as a fundraiser and administrator. His research centers around Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Black male student success, leadership, and fundraising. He provides consulting services to higher education institutions, non-profit organizations, and corporations.

Woodson received his undergraduate education at the prestigious Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA, culminating within a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music (Voice Performance and Choral Conducting). He has done graduate studies in voice performance at New England Conservatory and graduate study in choral conducting at the University of South Florida. Woodson earned a Master of Music degree in choral conducting and the Artists Diploma in orchestral conducting from Georgia State University. His Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership research focused on the impact of financial aid on the persistence of Black males at HBCUs.

As the great grand nephew of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the pioneer of African American studies and labeled the “Father of Black History,” Woodson has dedicated himself to educating the public on the contributions of African Americans. He is also a national spokesperson for educational and professional access for underrepresented populations.