The Executive Board of the Greater Stark County Urban League is announcing that the current president and CEO, Diane Stevens Robinson, will retire on June 30, 2023. Diane has had a long history with the Urban League. She was hired by the late Executive Director, Joe Smith, for her first job. Ms. Stevens Robinson has had an outstanding career, including being an executive with the Hoover Company and several other management positions in other high-profile companies. The Executive Board of the Greater Stark County Urban League is announcing that the current president and CEO, Diane Stevens Robinson, will retire on June 30, 2023.
Diane has had a long history with the Urban League. She was hired by the late Executive Director, Joe Smith, for her first job. Ms. Stevens Robinson has had an outstanding career, including being an executive with the Hoover Company and several other management positions in other high-profile companies.
As President and CEO, Diane has been responsible for establishing the future vision and strategy for the organization. She has successfully managed all facets of the agency, including fundraising, community engagement, programs and services, fiscal and general administration, and staff development. Her successful tenure with the Greater Stark County Urban League includes assisting in the rebuilding and reenergizing the Urban League from a $12,000 annual budget to a $1.5M annual budget. She has added job navigators, created a workforce development program, and returned the Black & White Ball. She rebuilt the trust in the organization within the community.
Diane expresses eloquently her appreciation for her time at the organization when she states, “I am grateful for the opportunity to have led the Greater Stark County Urban League and to have worked with such a talented and dedicated team. It has truly been my privilege to serve in this role. I'm incredibly grateful to work alongside the staff, board, volunteers, and supporters, who share my passion for the Greater Stark County Urban League and this community. I am so proud of all we have accomplished together to improve lives for families in Stark County. I know that good work will continue."
In addition to her contributions to the corporate world, Diane Stevens Robinson holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from Howard University and a Master of Science Degree in Psychology from Cleveland State University. She has been a servant of the community in many roles over the years, including being a past member of the National Urban League Board of Trustees and Executive Committee; Past President of Stark State Board of Trustees; Canton Country Day School Board, Canton Symphony Board of Trustees; Past President and current member to the Kent Area Chapter of the Links, Incorporated; Malone University Business Advisory Board, a current member of the Kent State Stark Advisory Board, and a Lifetime Member of NAACP.
She has also been recognized for her great efforts and support as a recipient of the National Urban League Leadership Award; Ohio Association of Community College Trustees Founder’s Award; United Way Gold Key Award for Outstanding Human Services Volunteer; YWCA Women’s Hall of Fame; YWCA Lifetime Achievement Award 2023; Canton Urban League 2001 Recognition Award; Martin Luther King Commission Award for Community Involvement; Mary Church Terrell Paralee Compton Beautiful People Award; ABC Doris Wilson Lifetime Achievement Award.
Ralph Lee, Chairman of the Greater Stark County Urban League, expressed his sincere gratitude for Diane’s service and stated, “Diane has set a very high standard for the Greater Stark County Urban League, and the search committee will have a difficult time replacing her.”
Kirt Conrad, Vice Chairman of the Greater Stark County Urban League, will chair the Search Committee to fill the vacant position.
Information about the position can be found at
starkurbanleague.org. Resumes will be accepted until June 9. Please email info@starkurbanleague.org for the application packet.
