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About
Alma Vivian Powell (née Johnson; October 27, 1937 – July 28, 2024) was an American audiologist, philanthropist, and author renowned for her dedication to youth development and education. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, she grew up in a middle-class African American family during segregation. She earned a bachelor's degree in audiology from George Washington University and worked professionally in that field. On August 25, 1962, she married Colin Powell, who later became a prominent U.S. general and Secretary of State. They raised three children: Michael K. Powell (former FCC chairman), Annemarie Powell (actress), and Linda Powell (public relations executive).
Powell co-founded the America's Promise Alliance in 1997 alongside her husband, serving as chair emerita and focusing on initiatives addressing dropout prevention, mentoring, and service-learning programs. She authored books such as 'America's Promise: A Parent's Guide to Strengthening Our Children's Character, Competence, and Courage' (2002) and served on boards of nonprofits including the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and United Way. Known for her grace and resilience, she was often described as the stabilizing force behind her husband's career and faced personal challenges including raising a son with sickle cell anemia, which influenced her advocacy for health and education issues. Her legacy endures through America's Promise and her contributions to American society.