Principal of W.E.B. DuBois Academy tapped to lead organization’s transformational impact work
Louisville, Ky. (April 13, 2022) – Metro United Way (MUW) is pleased to announce that Robert E. Gunn Jr. will be the organization’s new Chief Equity and Impact Officer effective July 11.
Gunn is the founding principal of the W.E.B. DuBois Academy which is an all-male school in the Jefferson County Public School (JCPS) system that offers Afrocentric and multicultural curriculum. He began his career in 2002 as a Teach for America corps member and joined JCPS in 2005.
“I have no doubt that the legacy created at DuBois is sustainable, and the young men who graduate will lead lives of leadership, prosperity and excellence,” said Gunn. “Knowing this, I am ready to embark on a new journey to further impact our community at an even larger level and fully believe in the mission and core values that Metro United Way represents.”
Gunn’s work history, entrepreneurial spirit, skillset, and first-hand knowledge of the Greater Louisville region, including the persistent educational and wealth gaps that exist, made him a top candidate.
“It was important that we find an experienced leader who is trusted, respected, builds relationships and has proven results in addressing systemic community challenges rooted in multiple causes,” said Metro United Way President and CEO Adria Johnson. “We’ve worked with Robert and know he is the right choice to lead our transformational impact work into its next chapter.”
Among Gunn’s many accomplishments, he was a finalist for the Teach for America School Leader of Color Award in 2022, Finalist for JCPS Middle School Principal of the Year in 2021, African American Achievement Educator Award in 2019, Courier-Journals’ 18 Fascinating People to Watch in 2019, Louisville Magazine’s 40 Under 40, Earlham College Athletics Hall of Fame, BMe Genius Fellow among many other awards and special recognitions.
As Chief Impact Officer, Gunn will provide strategic leadership at a pivotal time in MUW’s 105-year history. He will lead MUW’s shift from a “historical funding model” to one of transformational impact to accelerate needed change in the Greater Louisville region – moving from investing in nonprofits to investing in issues and solutions.
ABOUT METRO UNITED WAY
For more than 100 years, Metro United Way has united and empowered communities by investing in the full potential of individuals and families to ensure positive, sustainable change. We use data-driven insights to identify our community’s greatest needs and address systemic challenges with a focus on advancing equity and sharing opportunities for all. Together, we fight to improve the disparities that persist in early care and education, economic mobility, home ownership, racial equity, and public policy in Jefferson, Bullitt, Oldham and Shelby counties in Kentucky and Clark, Floyd and Harrison counties in Indiana. We invite you to join us and be a part of transforming Greater Louisville. To live better, we must LIVE UNITED.
