United Way of the Mid-South’s Board of Directors has named Tomeka Hart Wigginton as its new President and CEO. She will succeed Rev. Kenneth S. Robinson, M.D., who announced his retirement in June. She will officially begin in the role on December 2, 2024.
For almost 30 years, Tomeka Hart Wigginton has worked to improve education outcomes and increase social and economic mobility at the local, state, and national levels. Specializing in building and managing strategic partnerships and coalitions, she founded The HarWigg Group in 2023, a consulting firm serving nonprofit, public sector, and philanthropy leaders and organizations.
Tomeka has served in multiple roles including president and CEO of the Memphis Urban League. More recently, she served as managing director and special advisor to Blue Meridian Partners, where she provided leadership on critical business priorities and led innovation efforts. Prior to Blue Meridian, she served as a Senior Program Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, leading education policy and advocacy grantmaking to civil rights and equity organizations. In previous roles she served as VP of Strategic Partnerships at the Southern Education Foundation, as well as VP of African American Community Partnerships for Teach For America. She is a former middle and high school teacher, and a former labor and employment lawyer.
“Tomeka brings to United Way exceptional leadership experience in improving financial outcomes for people, by addressing their critical needs. Her expertise aligns with the mission of United Way and Driving The Dream, which has proven to be an effective model for transforming lives and helping people move out of poverty,” said Darrell Cobbins, Board Chair.
Driving The Dream, established by United Way of the Mid-South, networks nearly 200 independent agencies into a system of care enabling individuals and families living in poverty to connect with all the services they need to achieve financial stability. To date, Driving The Dream has served over 20,000 people in Shelby County.
“I am honored to serve as the next leader of United Way of the Mid-South. United Way’s impact on families is transformational and securing the future of Driving The Dream and expanding upon the mission will be critical for our community,” said Tomeka Hart Wigginton. “I am eager to meet with partners, stakeholders, and funders who are walking alongside us to improve outcomes for Mid-Southerners.”