General Powell Addresses Posse Community in D.C.

In October, General Colin L. Powell, the former United States secretary of state and a dedicated advocate for American youth, offered remarks in honor of The Posse Foundation’s 25th anniversary at Posse D.C.’s annual Power of 10 event.

“Every one of our children needs to be raised with a posse,” said General Powell. “We have nothing more important to do in this life as adults than make sure we leave this life with a good reputation, but, even more importantly, make sure we leave having created the next generation to lead this wonderful country of ours. And that’s what Posse is helping us do.”

General Powell, a decorated veteran and retired four-star general in the U.S. Army, grew up in the South Bronx of New York City, the son of Jamaican immigrants. He was appointed the first African-American secretary of state, serving under President George W. Bush, and, previously, made history as the first African-American chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President George H. W. Bush.

General Powell is the founding chairman of America’s Promise Alliance, which brings together hundreds of organizations, businesses and communities to ensure that opportunities for success are available to all young people in our country. Today, his wife, Alma, chairs the organization.

“What an honor to have General Powell support Posse in this way,” says Posse President and Founder Deborah Bial.