A Message from Our President and CEO
Over the past week, I have been in a profound state of sadness and grief over the tragic loss of Nolan Xavier Wells. As a mother of seven children—including a son in his twenties who looks very much like Nolan I empathize deeply with his mother, his father, and everyone who loved him. This is a family’s worst nightmare. My heart breaks at the thought of a young man in a situation where his safety, his well-being, and his life were not protected, and where he was not ensured a safe return home.
As parents of Black and Brown children, we know the constant education, planning, protecting, and outreach required just to send our young people into a world that too often fails to see the immense value, tenderness, and care they deserve — qualities our families and communities work overtime to provide them.
Holding a Juris Doctor degree, I understand the necessity of waiting for all the facts to emerge and allowing the legal system and law enforcement to do their work without rushing to judgment. As the investigation into what happened to Nolan continues, we must keep this story alive. We must keep talking about it, so this child and his family receive transparency, the facts, and the truth they so deeply deserve.
Despite the pain of this moment, I am profoundly encouraged by what our community continues to build. Just weeks ago, at our June Symposium in Alpharetta, Georgia, we awarded scholarships to six brilliant college students. They stood on our main stage with poise and grace — mentored, encouraged, and affirmed all week by ITSMF members who gave freely of their time, wisdom, and care.
We have lost a collective son with the passing of Nolan Wells. Let his memory invigorate us. Let it be the reason we celebrate, affirm, mentor, invest in, hire, and connect with every young leader we can reach — not just this week, but for the next 30 years.
Our collective protection, advocacy, and guidance are needed now more than ever. This is who we are: a community that shows up for its own, in grief and in growth. For 30 years, ITSMF has stood for the belief that every student deserves a future worth protecting regardless of race, gender, socio-economic status-— and that belief doesn’t waver, no matter what any single week brings.
With deep love and hope,
Johanna JonesPresident & CEOInformation Technology Senior Management Forum (ITSMF)
About Information Technology Senior Management Forum
Since 1996, Information Technology Senior Management Forum (ITSMF) has been dedicated to preparing professionals for executive roles in technology, to impact organizational innovation and growth. We do this by developing and nurturing these dynamic leaders through enrichment of the mind, body and soul. With a half-million new technology-related jobs expected by 2028, ITSMF is committed to increasing the number of qualified professionals for these positions. For more information about ITSMF, visit itsmfleaders.org.
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