Colin L. Powell was born in New York City on April 5, 1937, and was raised in the South Bronx. His parents, Luther and Maud Powell, immigrated to the United States from Jamaica. He was educated in the New York City public schools, graduating from the City College of New York (CCNY), where he earned a bachelor’s degree in geology. He also participated in ROTC at CCNY and received a commission as an Army second lieutenant upon graduation in June 1958. He earned a master’s of business administration degree from The George Washington University.  

General Powell was a professional soldier for 35 years, during which time he held myriad command and staff positions and rose to the rank of four-star general. He was assistant to the president for national security affairs from December 1987 to January 1989. His last assignment, from October 1, 1989, to September 30, 1993, was as the 12th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest military position in the Department of Defense. During this time, he oversaw 28 crises, including Operation Desert Storm in the victorious 1991 Persian Gulf war.  

Following his retirement from the military, General Powell wrote his best-selling autobiography, "My American Journey,” which was published in 1995. Additionally, he pursued a career as a public speaker, addressing audiences across the country and abroad.  

Colin L. Powell was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate and was sworn in as the 65th secretary of state on January 20, 2001. He resigned on November 15, 2004, but continued to serve until Condoleezza Rice, his successor, was confirmed.  

Prior to his appointment as secretary of state, General Powell was the chairman of America’s Promise—The Alliance for Youth, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to mobilizing people from every sector of American life to help build the character and competence of young people.  

General Powell is the recipient of numerous U.S. and foreign military awards and decorations. His civilian awards include two Presidential Medals of Freedom, the President’s Citizens Medal, the Congressional Gold Medal, the Secretary of State Distinguished Service Medal, and the Secretary of Energy Distinguished Service Medal. Several schools and other institutions have been named in his honor and he holds honorary degrees from universities and colleges across the country.  

General Powell is married to the former Alma Vivian Johnson of Birmingham, Alabama. The Powell family includes son Michael; daughters Linda and Anne; daughter-in-law Jane; son-in-law Francis; and grandsons Jeffrey and Bryan.