JUNE 30, 1941 - JANUARY 28, 2025

​Today, we celebrate the life of Eddie T. Arnold, APR, a dedicated civil rights activist, esteemed communications professional, and cherished family member. Eddie leaves behind a legacy of unparalleled contributions to diversity and inclusion in the media, advertising, and public relations industries, fighting for equality and justice his entire life, with a vision of strength, love, and commitment to change.

Born in the segregated South, Eddie defined adversity to become a trailblazer in his field. A proud and honorable Vietnam War veteran, Eddie earned his degree from Chicago State College and was a dedicated Accredited Public Relations (APR) professional, as well as a member of the fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha. Over the course of his career, he worked tirelessly to ensure that African Americans and other marginalized communities were represented and included in media and advertising.

In 1968, Eddie T. Arnold, APR, had the illustrious position of Midwest Advertising Director of Ebony at Johnson Publishing Company, which published Ebony, Jet, and Black Stars magazine. He later became Assistant Director, Sales Promotion and Research at WGN Television & WGN Radio and an Instructor of Television, Merchandising, and Broadcasting at Columbia College. Upon relocating to the District of Columbia, he served as the Manager of Community Relations at CBS DC market affiliate Television 9 (WUSA). In the 1970s, he fostered global connections in Africa and played and played a key role in Muhammad Ali's historic journey to the continent. Eddie co-founded the first African Cultural Festival on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., in 1988. He was a committed advisor to numerous organizations, including the NAACP, National Urban League, and American Black Film Festival, and the DC Youth Orchestra.

In 1992, he took his talents to the Capitol as a Press Secretary and Minority Public Affairs Officer in the office of the late great Congresswoman Cardiss H. Collins (D-IL), one of the longest serving black women in the history of Congress. Collins was the strongest advocate in Congress for African-Americans on media and marketing issues, and she was the first to hold hearings challenging programming and ownership in broadcasting. Arnold was responsible for all communications from her office.

From 1996 - 2010, he made history as the first black Vice President of Government Affairs at the Nielsen Company, and was the visionary behind initiatives to affirm that African-Americans, Hispanic/Latinos, and Asian communities are included in the Nielsen TV ratings samples. Through Nielsen, he sponsored the first American Black Film Festival, which is now a staple in the entertainment industry.

During that time, his entrepreneurial interests led him to start The Arnold Company, consulting with C-Level Executives and non profits on Strategic Communications.

For a short time, he moved to Florida where he was the Executive Director of Public Relations and Governmental Affairs on the Broward County Florida School Board. During his time there, he met his best friend and future wife, Delia Arnold.

They returned to DC to be married, and he took the position as Director of Strategic Communications and Public Information Officer for Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium. In 2014, he became the Chief Communications Officer for the Integrated Strategic Communications Boutique (ISCB). Always an avid advocate for education and equity, he spent his later years working in classrooms to support special needs students.

​During his esteemed career, Mr. Arnold was a member of prestigious organizations to advance his people. He is a founding member of the American Advertising Federation diversity program, and a former board member of the National Academy Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), National Association of Independent Latino Producers (NALIP), National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters, and Minority Media Telecommunications Council.

He has been the recipient of many awards and recognitions including the 1998 American Advertising Federation Foundations' (AAF) Distinguished Service Award: the AAF's 1996 Award for Building Bridges in Advertising, the Greater New York Chapter's of The National Association of Marketing Developers, 2000 Marketer of the Year Award First Excellence in Marketing Award; the 2007 African American Empowerment Weekend Legacy Communications Award: "For your continued expertise and perceptive efforts in the field of media and communications".

Eddie is survived by his devoted wife Delia Arnold who lovingly cared for him, his children, a brother, a sister, nieces and nephews, as well as countless friends and colleagues in the civil rights community.

Rest in peace, Eddie. Your work has left an indelible mark on the world, and your spirit will continue to inspire generations to come.

We invite you to support the Chloé and Maud Foundation, Eddie Arnold Legacy Scholarship Fund, and learn more about his life and achievements on www.EddieTArnold.com.