This story began with a spark—a shared vision to invest in programs that uplift our most vulnerable neighbors.
Rodney Young and Bob Lee had a breakthrough idea: a model of Black leadership centered around strategic, collective philanthropy.
They brought this idea to Rufus Agnew, whose commitment and connections helped shape that vision into action.
What followed was a journey that would evolve into what we now know as the African American Leadership Society (AALS).
First known as the Howard Wilson Coles Leadership Society, this group brought together a coalition of founding members and a steering committee rooted in Rochester’s Black excellence, comprising leaders from Xerox, Kodak, Bausch & Lomb, and other corporate and civic institutions.
Over time, the name was refined to reflect its broader mission, becoming the African American Leadership Society.
The official debut came on October 11, 2004, at a reception held at the University of Rochester’s Memorial Art Gallery. AALS was introduced as a new chapter in leadership giving, dedicated to uplifting Greater Rochester through the generosity, vision, and influence of African American leaders.
Under the stewardship of Emerson U. Fullwood, then a senior executive at Xerox, AALS was tasked with a noble mission: to establish a legacy of giving that would endure through generations.
AALS’ namesake, Howard Wilson Coles, was a legendary community leader and publisher of The Frederick Douglass Voice, as well as a champion for civil rights and an unrelenting force for justice.
His name lends not only honor but expectation—that AALS members lead with strength, courage, and integrity.
AALS members commit to annual contributions of $1,000 or more to the United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes, investing in programs that support children, families, seniors, and the most vulnerable members of our community.
But beyond dollars, they give presence, energy, and leadership.
AALS is a space where philanthropy is not only practiced but also celebrated and appreciated. It's not just a society. It is a movement.