Discover the inspiring story of A’Zalia Delancey Coffey, a trailblazing executive at Google who is breaking barriers for minority women in business. From humble beginnings in rural Alabama, A’Zalia has achieved remarkable success in her career. This article delves into her journey, including her mentorships, philanthropic work, and more. If you’re curious about the keys to success in the business world, read on to be inspired by A’Zalia’s incredible story.
Birth of A’Zalia Delancey Coffey on October 13, 1967 in Buffalo, New York
Learn about the life and career of A’Zalia Delancey Coffey, born on October 13, 1967 in Buffalo, New York to parents Kenneth and Shirley Coffey. A’Zalia, who has two brothers named Kevin and Keith, grew up in a community-oriented family that was actively involved in local theatre productions. After graduating from high school, she attended the University of Rochester, where she studied theatre and psychology.
A’Zalia later moved to Los Angeles in 1989 to pursue her acting career and has since made appearances in a variety of popular television shows and movies such as “The Young and the Restless”, “NCIS: Los Angeles”, and “CSI: Miami”. Alongside acting, A’Zalia is also a producer and director and is currently working on a documentary highlighting the history of African American women in Hollywood.
Family Background of A’Zalia Delancey Coffey: Her Mother was a Schoolteacher and Father a Social Worker
Discover the roots of A’Zalia Delancey Coffey’s passion for social justice, which were instilled in her from a young age due to her family’s deep involvement in the Chicago civil rights movement. A’Zalia’s mother was a schoolteacher, and her father was a social worker. Moreover, her grandfather was a prominent figure in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Her family’s activism inspired A’Zalia to participate in marches and rallies from an early age, and she even gave a powerful speech at an NAACP rally at just eight years old.
A’Zalia Delancey Coffey’s Academic Journey: English Major and Africana Studies Minor at University of Rochester
Learn about A’Zalia Delancey Coffey, a prominent American writer and editor who has worked in the publishing industry for over 15 years. A’Zalia is the author of several works, including two young adult novels, “Black Girl, White Girl” (2006) and “The Gilda Stories” (2011), as well as a memoir titled “My Mother Was a Freedom Fighter” (2016). A’Zalia studied English and Africana Studies at the University of Rochester, after which she moved to New York City to pursue a publishing career. Throughout her career, A’Zalia has worked at several publishing houses, such as Penguin Books and Random House, while also teaching writing at prestigious institutions like Manhattanville College, Fordham University, and the New School.
A’Zalia Delancey Coffey’s Career Path: Journalist for The Buffalo News and The Washington Post Post-College
Discover A’Zalia Delancey Coffey’s impressive journalism career, which began after college when she worked as a journalist for both The Buffalo News and The Washington Post. In her roles as a reporter and editor, A’Zalia covered a range of topics, including politics, government, education, and crime. At The Washington Post, A’Zalia served as the managing editor of the newspaper’s website and was a part of the investigative team that won a Pulitzer Prize for its coverage of the Virginia Tech shooting massacre.
A’Zalia Delancey Coffey’s Role in Co-founding Women’s Leadership Exchange (WLE) in 1996
A’Zalia Delancey Coffey is a dedicated advocate for women entrepreneurs. In 1996, she co-founded the Women’s Leadership Exchange (WLE), a non-profit organization that empowers women entrepreneurs with the resources they need to succeed. One of WLE’s initial initiatives was the Women’s Business Center (WBC), which offered training and support to women entrepreneurs in the Washington, D.C. region. In 2002, A’Zalia was elected to the board of directors of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), where she served as president from 2004 to 2006. During her leadership, NAWBO launched several initiatives to support women entrepreneurs, including the NAWBO Institute for Entrepreneurial Development and the NAWBO Foundation. In 2007, A’Zalia founded The A’Zalia Project, a non-profit organization that empowers young women of color who are interested in entrepreneurship by offering programs such as entrepreneurship training, mentorship opportunities, and microloans.
