President and Founder, The Building Community Institute, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Nominee: Nancy Grisham Anderson
Clifton L. Taulbert is the President and Founder of the Building Community Institute, one of America’s leading thought-leaders on the “Power of Community.” He was chosen by CNN at the turn of the millennium to represent one of the voices of “community.” He is a Pulitzer-nominated author, born in the Mississippi Delta, the wellspring setting for his stories and books. He has authored ten books including the internationally acclaimed, Once Upon A Time When We Were Colored.
Mr. Taulbert’s college career began in the United States Air Force and was completed at Oral Roberts University with a degree in History and Sociology. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and a Trustee of the University of Tulsa.
Mr. Taulbert has been recognized by Time Magazine as one of the nation’s Outstanding Entrepreneurs. He has participated in the start-up of many companies, including being a member of the initial team that introduced Stair Master Exercise Systems to the world. He is also a former banker and advisory board member for Bank One, now J.P. Morgan Chase and currently serves as a Board member for ONB Bank and Trust in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
