Colin Powell

Colin Powell was sworn in on January 20, 2001 as the 65th Secretary of State. Before he was nominated he was the chairman of America’s Promise- The Alliance for Youth. America’s Promise is a non profit youth organization to help build character and competence.





Colin Powell was a professional Soldier for 35 years. During that time he held a myriad command and staff positions and his rank heightened to a four star General. The last assignment he ever did was as the 12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest military position in the Department of Defense. From October 1st 1989 to September 30th 1993 he oversaw 28 crises, which included Operation Desert Storm in the 1991 Persian Gulf War.





After Secretary Powell retired he wrote his best selling autobiography, My American Journey. In 1995 is was published. He also pursued a career in public speaking, addressing audiences across the country and abroad.



Powell was born in New York City on April 5th 1937. He was raised in the South Bronx. His parents immigrated to the United States from Jamaica. Powell attended public school and he graduated from City College of New York (CCNY) and got a Bachelors Degree in Geology. While at CCNY he participated in ROTC. He received commission as an Army Second Lieutenant when he graduated in June 1958.



Colin Powell has two Presidential Medals of Freedom, the President’s Citizens Medal, the Congressional Gold Medal, the Secretary of State Distinguished Service Medal, and the Secretary of Energy Distinguished Service Medal. Several schools and places have been named in his honor and he holds honorary degrees from universities and colleges across the country.  





Powell is married two Alma Vivian Johnson. He has a son (Michael), two daughters( Linda and Anne), daughter-in-law Jane; and Grandsons Jeffery and Bryan.