Denise Hunter

Denise Hunter is the President and Chief Operating Officer of FAME Corporations.  FAME Corporations serves as the non-profit arm of the First A.M.E. Church of Los Angeles, the oldest African American congregation is Los Angeles.  In her role as President, Mrs. Hunter has direct responsibility for management and oversight for the thirteen corporate entities borne out of First A.M.E. Church.  Mrs. Hunter also holds the honor of being the first female President of FAME Corporations.

Through its various programs and partnerships, FAME is able to provide services to more than one million residents annually.  From transportation assistance, environmental protection, health services, business development, housing and construction, FAME is meeting the needs of the residents of California through the leadership of Mrs. Hunter.

Designing programs that support and empower women and children has always been a priority in Mrs. Hunter’s life.  Since coming to FAME she has been responsible for the development of FAME’s Back-to-School Giveaway, FAME’s Summer Youth Enrichment Program, First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move LA initiative and the FAME So-Fresh Produce Market.  In November 2010, Mrs. Hunter was invited to the White House by Mrs. Obama to participate in the national launch of Let’s Move: Faith and Communities.  Mrs. Hunter is currently working with more than 200 churches to promote health and fitness in the faith community.

A former Chief Operating Officer for the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle and Commissioner of Purchasing for Kansas City, Missouri, Mrs. Hunter is a dynamic leader and relentless advocate for communities in need.

Mrs. Hunter currently serves on the Community Advisory Board for the National Children’s Study for Los Angeles and Ventura Counties; she also serves as a member of the transition team for California Attorney General Kamala Harris.  Mrs. Hunter has also had the privilege of serving on the Pacific Northwest Ballet Board of Trustees, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Institutional Review Board and many other boards and committees.

Mrs. Hunter has received honors and commendations from President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Senator Diane Feinstein, Congresswomen Karen Bass, Maxine Waters and Diane Watson. Since moving to Los Angeles, Mrs. Hunter has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, the Woman of Distinction Award from the Special Needs Network and the Woman Making History Award from Senator Barbara Boxer.

Website: www.famecorps.org