YVONNE COLEMAN BACH
Yvonne Coleman Bach has been a member of NNPA for over 25 years. She has attended
the meetings on a consistent basis, always showing a strong commitment to the
organization.
After working in the background for many years, she decided to run for a position on the
NNPA Executive Board as Treasurer in 2009. Although she was not elected Treasurer, she
continued to support the organization. After the untimely death of NNPA's Treasurer, then
Chairman Danny Bakewell recognized a talent in her and appointed her as Treasurer. The
appointment was unanimously approved by the NNPA Board.
Yvonne worked well with the Administration, moving the organization's finances to a new
level. Under her tenure, the organization, for the first time in its history, reached a
treasury of over $1 million due to the successful tenure of Chairman Bakewell. She has a
strong sense of professionalism, integrity and transparency. She has shown her strong
commitment to taking care of the NNPA Finances.
When Chairman Bakewell made his decision known not to seek reelection as NNPA's
Chairman and Dennis Hunn decided to leave his position as Vice President of Sales &
Marketing, that left a hole in the organization. The question on the minds of many was
who would take over the Back Office Operations? Yvonne Coleman Bach stepped in to fill
the big shoes. After running unopposed for her new term as Treasurer, she was appointed
by current Chairman Cloves Campbell, Jr. with the full support of the Executive
Committee to head up the Back Office Operations.
She has managed the Back Office Operations since June, 2011. During that time, she
relocated the NNPA Offices from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. She set up policies and
procedures, successfully working with the NNPA Publications, Advertising Agencies and
Clients, taking the operations to a new level. Under her leadership, from June, 2011 to
now, the back office placed over $15 million in advertising with NNPA Publications. She
follows the procedure from start to finish. Her motto is, "The buy is not over until the
Publications have been paid." She has worked hard, many times beyond the call of duty, to
make sure the publications received insertion orders, material and payments. NNPA now
has a true placement service, one that can stand up against the industry standards.
Although she has worked hard in the back office, Yvonne also served as the NNPA
Treasurer, successfully performing those duties and she is a Publisher. She provides the
board with a comprehensive financial report at board meetings and continues to perform all
other duties of the treasurer. Working under her direction is NNPA's Accountant Tracie
Powell. She works closely with Tracie to make sure that all financial reports are accurate.
She makes sure tax returns are filed and the organization meets all the requirements of
operation.
When all is said and done, Yvonne is the Associate Publisher/Editor of the Louisville
Defender Newspaper. She has worked at the publication over 27 years. She has strong a
commitment to the Black Press. After graduating from the University of Louisville, Yvonne
started her career in Marketing. After a period of time, she decided she wanted to be a
journalist. Her first writing assignment was with the Louisville Defender Newspaper. Her
first thought was to write for the newspaper and move on to the Daily Paper. That was not
to be. Yvonne saw the need and developed the commitment to work for the Black Press. It
has been over 27 years and she is still there, having worked all the way up to Associate
Publisher.
Yvonne is a very well respected member of the Louisville Community. She hosted the
NNPA Convention in June, 2007. She has worked with the Mayor, the Governor and many
of the movers and shakers in the Louisville Community. She has supported the NAACP,
the Louisville Urban League and other organizations. She served 12 years on the famed
Kentucky Derby Festival Board, fighting to make sure that African Americans were
included in the event, both as participants and as suppliers. She currently serves on many
boards and committees in the Community. Some of the contributions the newspaper has
made in the community include:
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Hosted a newspaper sponsored expo for over 50 years. The newspaper hosted the
NNPA Publishers for an Advertising Seminar.
Currently hosts the West Louisville Appreciation Festival and Family Reunion,
bring over 50,000 people to the outdoor event each year. July, 2012 will be the 31st
year for the event.
Hosts the Business & Professional Achievement Luncheon, where many in the
community are recognized for their achievements.
Hosts the Big Momma Luncheon, recognizing the "Big Mommas" in African
American Families
New to the lineup is the "Real Black Men" Luncheon. Inaugural event scheduled for
June, 2012. African American men will be recognized for the achievements.
Yvonne has a unique style of getting things done. She is successful at bringing people from
all walks of life together for one cause. She is known to be fair to everyone. But she can be
tough and make the tough decisions when she needs to be. To know her is to love and
respect her!
Therefore, I am nominating Yvonne Coleman Bach as the 2012 Publisher of the Year!