Board Spotlight: Cherie Buckner-Webb

We are proud to have Senator Cherie Buckner-Webb, a fifth generation Idahoan, serve on our board.

Cherie’s family has been in Idaho since the early 1900’s. Her paternal great-grandfather came to Boise in 1905 to build St. Paul Baptist Church. It has since been converted to the Idaho Black History Museum.

Cherie is currently serving her fourth term in the Idaho Senate, before the Idaho Senate she served one term as a Representative in the Idaho House. She currently serves on several standing committees including: Education, State Affairs and Transportation and a number of interim committees. She is the Assistant Minority Leader in the Idaho Senate.

She attributes her involvement in politics and human rights activism to her mother, Dorothy Buckner.

“My mother would tell me that you must disturb the peace, not for one’s own sake, but with a mind on the greater good,” Cherie said. “The more free, able and capable we are to walk in the world, no matter who we are; the more accessible we make it for others.”

Cherie has been the first of many different things in her life, including the first black legislator to serve in Idaho. As a black woman growing up in Idaho, she is used to this. However, she hopes that by being the first, she can help pave the way for others while making Idaho better for future generations.

Her tenure in Idaho politics has taught her to believe in change.

“Change comes even after I’m gone. I believe in leaving a legacy. ‘Legacy’ is a term, calling, responsibility and tradition my family has cherished for generations. The reason I’m here is thanks to legacy that others left for me. Indeed I have a responsibility to endow the future,” she says.

Cherie isn’t only an accomplished legislator, she is the Founder and Principal of her own firm, Sojourner Coaching, focusing on Organizational Development, Cross Cultural Competence and Executive Coaching and an accomplished blues and gospel vocalist. Cherie is also a Senior Associate with The Yarbrough Group, Planning and World Wide Consultants in Developing the Human Side of Organizations. Her diverse educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Management and Organizational Leadership from George Fox University and a Master’s Degree in social work from Northwest Nazarene University.

Her experience with a multitude of Idaho-based corporations including Boise Cascade and HP Inc. has shaped her unique perspective. Her work at HP took her across the world as the global culture and diversity program manager, while her 10 year career at Boise Cascade gave her the opportunity explore and appreciate the far reaches of rural Idaho.

Her tenacity for human rights issues shows up in a multitude of ways. Cherie’s credo, “leave a legacy,” underscores her work in every area of activity and to that end she donates countless hours to a variety of community organizations. She is a founding board member of the Idaho Black History Museum and the winner of numerous awards including the Idaho Business Review Woman of the Year 2019, Hewlett Packard Human Rights Award, Silver Sage Girls Scouts Council – Woman of Today and Tomorrow, Boise State University – Woman Making History and Community Hero Awards, Jefferson Award for Public Service, 2013 Idaho Mother Award (American Mothers, Inc.), Gandhi, King, Ikeda Award – A Legacy of Peace (Morehouse College), Rotary Distinguished Educator, Joyce Stein Award, Standing up for Justice Award from the Wassmuth Center in acknowledgement of her commitment and devotion to volunteerism.

Cherie has a message for young people today, especially young women.

“Don’t limit yourself. Be open to the possibilities and strive to come into your power. There’s nothing unfeminine about being sure of yourself, being direct, taking charge, and doing it your own unique way,” she said.

We are grateful and humbled to have someone so invested in human rights issues on our board as we believe everyone deserves a safe, healthy relationship.

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