Carlos Clanton
Public Speaker, Director, and Volunteer in Norfolk, Virginia
Carlos J. Clanton has made notable contributions in various leadership roles, prominently serving as the 9th President of the National Urban League Young Professionals from 2015 to 2019. His leadership journey includes a prior role as Policies & Procedures Chair for NULYP (2013-15) and a term as president of the award-winning Urban League of Hampton Roads Young Professionals. In 2018, Clanton was elected to the Norfolk City School Board as the Ward 3 member, a position he held with distinction as both Chair and Vice Chair, securing re-election for a second term in 2022.
Bringing over two decades of experience in non-profit leadership and organizational management, Clanton has demonstrated profound insight into both volunteer and staff leadership roles. His dedication extended to an over eight-year tenure as Executive Director of the Norfolk Education Foundation, enhancing support for students and teachers of Norfolk Public Schools. Currently, he leads the Friends of the Portsmouth Juvenile Court and has held significant positions at STOP Inc. and the Hampton Roads Community Action Program (HRCAP), contributing to organizational advancement and workforce development.
Clanton's commitment to diversity and inclusion was recognized through his appointment to the Governor's Commonwealth Commission on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (2017-19). His early career milestones include becoming the first African-American and the youngest Director of the Norfolk Division of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce at age 24, marking a historic moment for one of the oldest local Chambers of Commerce in the U.S.
His achievements have been widely acknowledged, including being named one of Hampton Roads' Top 20 under 30 African American Leaders at 23, a Top 40 under 40 by Hampton Roads Inside Business at 27, and receiving the Humanitarian Award from the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC) in 2013, among other accolades.
An Old Dominion University alum with a BS in Training Specialist and a minor in Leadership, Clanton is a prospective MPA graduate for Spring 2027. He advocates for leadership through personal experience, dedication to service, and the importance of teamwork for achieving success.