Alumni Spotlight: Lester Booker, Jr.

Lester is an award-winning marketing and communications leader. He is the first-ever Vice President, Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Communications at Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

Lester has 15 years of experience within both public and private sectors. Prior to joining Citizens Financial Group, Inc., he held positions with General Motors, the Ford Motor Company Fund via Campbell Marketing and Communications, Palace Sports and Entertainment with the Detroit Pistons and Detroit Shock.

He also has been recognized for his career and community accomplishments including recently being inducted into the 2022 Michigan Chronicle Men of Excellence Class; 2021 News/Talk 760 WJR and the Detroit Economic Club’s Class of Rising Stars; 2018 Michigan Chronicle 40 Under 40 Award; 2015 CMU 10 Within 10 Recognition; and the 2010 Detroit Pistons and Palace Sports & Entertainment Employee of the Year.

A distinguished Central Michigan University alumnus, Booker continues to support his alma mater as an Alumni Association board member and serves as a member of the Chippewa Athletics Hall of Fame Selection Committee, the Detroit Advisory Task Force, the Black Alumni Chapter, and the Emerging Leaders Council.

In January 2020, he also established the Lester Booker Jr. Endowed Scholarship Fund for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The annual $5,000 scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student committed to uplifting underrepresented communities.

A Detroit native, Booker earned two degrees from CMU: a Master of Science in Administration (with a sport concentration), and a Bachelor of Applied Arts in broadcast and cinematic arts.