Kenneth Chenault emerges facebook's first black board member

Former American Express CEO, Kenneth Chenault has been appointed as a board member of Facebook, emerging the first black, as well as the first African-American to sit amongst the executive board since its inception.

Kenneth Chenault has been functioning as the CEO of American Express since 2001 and would be giving up that position to take over his role on facebook as the first non-white board member on the 5th February, 2017.

News of his appointment came to public limelight when Mark Zuckerberg spoke about it on a facebook post, on Thursday, 18th of January,2017.

“I am excited to announce that Kenneth Chenault, the outgoing CEO of American Express has decided to join facebook board of directors. I have been trying to recruit him for years. He has unique expertise in areas I believe facebook needs to learn and improve. Ken also has a strong sense of social mission and the perspective that comes with running an important public company for decades. Ken and I have e had dinners discussing our mission and strategy for years and he has already helped me think through some of the bigger jssues I am hoping to take on this year. Welcome Ken and I am looking forward to working with you on our board” he wrote.