Draper was a “Poverty and Inequality” series speaker in May 2021: Recovery for Minority-Owned Business?

Dr. Frances Murphy Draper has been an influential community leader in her native Baltimore for decades, with leadership positions in journalism and education. In February 2018, Draper was named chairman of the board and publisher of the AFRO-American Newspapers, which was founded in 1892 by her great-grandfather. She was president of the company from 1987 to 1999.

“The AFRO has been at the forefront of the ever-changing media landscape for 128 years,” she said last year. “Today, we offer a wide variety of platforms to get the word out, including a robust array of social media products. However, our basic mission of championing our people, our causes, our hopes, dreams and aspirations are likely stronger than ever. Black lives have always mattered and continue to matter to us.”

Draper received a bachelor’s degree in Spanish language education from Morgan State University and was on the university’s Board of Regents for 25 years before stepping down last year. Draper also has master’s degrees in education (Johns Hopkins University), business administration (University of Baltimore) and pastoral counseling (Loyola University Maryland). In 2006, she received a Doctor of Ministry degree in preaching and leadership from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

Draper said her mother, Frances L. Murphy II, helped inspire her to be a community leader. “She encouraged me to honor God, treat people the way you want to be treated and surround yourself with younger people who can keep you up to date on the latest trends and technologies.” Now it’s Draper’s turn to inspire the younger generation. “I tell them it’s important to give back to your community because many people need a genuine hand up in order to survive and thrive,” she said. “When people are healthy economically, socially, and spiritually, communities are healthy.”

Draper serves on the boards of the National Newspaper Publishers’ Association, the Y in Central Maryland, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (Baltimore City) and the Advisory Board of Results Baltimore. She also is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the Executive Alliance.