Dorothy I. Height Education Foundation Names Constance Newman as New President; Bishop Leah Daughtry and Jarvis Stewart Join Board
(WASHINGTON, DC) April 13, 2026 — The Dorothy I. Height Education Foundation (DIHEF) has named Constance Berry Newman as its new president, succeeding Alexis M. Herman, the Foundation’s former president and a beloved confidante of Dr. Dorothy I. Height, who passed away a year ago. The Foundation also welcomes two distinguished new board members: Bishop Leah Daughtry and businessman Jarvis Stewart.
“I feel a deep sense of gratitude and responsibility stepping into this role following the loss of Alexis Herman,” said Newman. “Both Alexis and her mentor, Dr. Height, were deeply committed to counseling young women at the start of their careers and supporting seasoned women navigating workplace barriers. Alexis will be deeply missed, but I am committed to continuing her work and honoring Dr. Height’s vision for future generations.”
A lawyer and diplomat with seven presidential appointments—from both political parties. Constance Berry Newman has devoted her career to the causes closest to Dr. Height’s heart — civil rights, poverty, and expanding opportunity for those too often overlooked. She served as Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Under Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, earning in 2012 recognition by Government Executive magazine as one of the twenty all-time greatest civil servants. Newman now steps into the presidency of the Dorothy I. Height Education Foundation carrying that same spirit of principled, tireless public service.
Bishop Daughtry doesn’t just walk in Dr. Height’s footsteps—she walks in her former home since purchasing Dr. Height’s apartment. Daughtry serves as Principal of On These Things, LLC, which supports a broad array of businesses and organizations with strategic planning, project management, and community engagement. She is the National Presiding Prelate of The House of the Lord Churches, a seasoned political leader, author and twice-appointed CEO of the Democratic National Convention. She serves on several boards, including the editorial board of the Global Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society. Daughtry has spent decades at the intersection of faith, justice, and public life — precisely the ground Dr. Height cultivated.
“I have watched this Foundation grow from a seed that Dr. Height planted with love and intention. Now it is our turn to water it,” said Bishop Daughtry. “I step into this role thinking of every young person who will walk through a door that Dr. Height and Secretary Herman helped open — and I am committed to making sure that door stays open, wider than ever.”
Jarvis Stewart is Founder and CEO of Highland Poe, an acclaimed holding company that provides a wide range of professional services through its member companies, Blitz SMG, Cover Communications, and HP Global Advisors.Before launching his firm 25 years ago, he served as chief of staff to former US Congressman Harold Ford, Jr., and as a senior advisor to Labor Secretary Herman during the Clinton Administration. He served as an advisor to Maryland Governor Wes Moore and, during the 2020 presidential campaigns, as a Biden/Harris Finance Committee Co-Chair.
“There are people in your life who believe in you before you believe in yourself,” said Stewart. “For a lot of us, Secretary Alexis Herman was that person, and Dr. Height was that person. This Foundation is their living legacy — and I am deeply grateful for the chance to help carry it forward.”
About the Dorothy I. Height Education Foundation
Established in 2004, the Dorothy I. Height Education Foundation serves as a springboard for students who need additional financial support to pursue higher education. The Foundation awards “bridge scholarships” — targeted assistance covering tuition gaps, books, fees, meal tickets, and other practical needs for students already accepted to colleges and universities. Reflecting Dr. Height’s belief that academic records alone do not capture a student’s full promise, the Foundation places special weight on volunteerism and community engagement when evaluating applicants, honoring her enduring advocacy for students who serve their communities.
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