The discussion about diversity in corporate America has long been expressed in the media. This diversity discussion not only includes the long fight for women in equal pay and higher positions, but also the fight for more African Americans in higher positions. Although some companies provide programs to help bolster an increase in certain minorities to better reflect the ever-changing American society, many companies still lack diversity on their board and in senior management.

A change in the attitude will be important in the future for many reasons much greater than diversity itself. As world economies become more tightly in-tune as globalization grows, change will be undoubtedly necessary. Without a doubt, today there some signs of gradual but sluggish change that are worthy of recognition. Below are four African American CEOs of Fortune 500 companies.

Kenneth Chenault ­– American Express

Kenneth Frazier – Merck & Co., Inc.

Arnold W. Donald ­­– Carnival's

Ursula Burns – Xerox

Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning. – Benjamin Franklin