AMERICA 250 FOUNDATION APPOINTS JESSE L. ASKEW TO LEAD MARKETING AND BRANDING FOR NATION’S 250TH
Global brand executive Askew to head marketing efforts to engage all Americans leading up to July 4, 2026
Washington, DC – The America 250 Foundation, the non-profit partner of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, has announced the addition of Jesse L. Askew as Vice President of Marketing and Branding. Askew will lead brand visibility and engagement efforts nationwide for America 250, a multiyear initiative to inspire the American spirit leading up to the largest and most inclusive commemoration in our nation’s history in 2026.
Askew will serve as key members of the Foundation’s executive leadership team reporting to Interim President and CEO Scott Hommel.
“America 250 has the potential to create more than 100,000 programs and engage 350 million Americans in this once-in-a-lifetime initiative over the next five years,” said Hommel, adding, “Jesse brings a wealth of experience reaching new audiences and will help us achieve our vision to educate, engage and unite all Americans in a commemoration that is as bold and diverse as America itself.”
“It’s an incredible honor to contribute my experience to the creation of a culturally diverse, morally engaged, and inclusive vision of society for all nationalities, tribes, religions and communities celebrating America’s 250th anniversary,” said Askew. “America 250 presents a unique opportunity deepen our nation’s sense of culture.”
In his new role, Askew will be responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive marketing and branding strategy for America 250, and serve as a primary ambassador of the Foundation with marketing and branding partners (e.g. corporate sponsors, marketing partners, brand ambassadors, donors and other private non-profit partners).
Askew’s previous corporate executive experience includes marketing and communications roles at Ketchum, Ruder Finn and Digital Factory managing brand accounts for Ford Motors, Mondelez International, Novartis and Kodak. His cultural guidance on the “So Kodak” campaign featuring Rihanna, Drake, Pitbull and Trey Songz earned Ketchum its first Multicultural PRSA Silver Anvil Award. He also led Ruder Finn’s successful development and launch of Mondelez International’s Mobile Future’s Project, highlighting collaborations with startup companies such as Waze, Lisnr, Kiip, Dailybreak and InMarket.
Askew began his career in the nonprofit sector, serving as a Program Officer at New Visions for Public Schools helping to administer the first Annenberg Foundation Grant to form corporate/education partnerships now known as Charter Schools. He also served as pro-bono president for the nonprofit Community Uplift Through Perseverance, Inc (CUP), raising over $500,000 in scholarships for Omega Black College Tour students from the New York City area. To date, CUP’s Omega Black College Tour has introduced over 1500 high school students to HBCUs, with over 70% successfully matriculating into colleges such as Howard, Hampton, Morehouse, Spelman, North Carolina A&T, Morgan, Norfolk State, Delaware State, Clark-Atlanta, and Winston-Salem State to name a few.
Askew remains a sentinel for diversity, inclusion and cultural expression. A Pennsylvania State University Smeal College of Business guest lecturer, he continues to mentor junior executives, provide internships and secure employment opportunities for college graduates of color. Askew holds a B.S. in psychology from Saint Augustine’s University and an MBA in general management & leadership from the Metropolitan College of New York.
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Posted By: Rebecca Devine
Monday, March 22nd 2021 at 2:10PM
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