Donald Watkins

Donald V. Watkins (born September 8, 1948) is an African-American lawyer and businessman. Watkins is the father of four sons and a daughter, and is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

Early life

Watkins was born in Parsons, Kansas on September 8, 1948[1] to Levi Watkins, Sr. (1911–1994)[2][3] and Lillian Varnado (1917–2013).[4] He graduated from Southern Illinois University[1] and became one of the first black students to attend the University of Alabama School of Law.[5]

Career

Watkins was a longtime attorney and confidant of Birmingham Mayor Richard Arrington, Jr.

In addition to his legal career, Watkins received national media coverage for his attempts to purchase the Minnesota Twins[6] in 2002 and the Anaheim Angels[7] in 2003.

In 2005, Watkins became the only litigator to successfully defend a NYSE company CEO against Sarbanes-Oxley charges, a legal victory profiled in both Fortune magazine[8] and National Law Journal.

In March 2012, Watkins signed an exclusive contract with the government of Namibia to mine uranium for sale to nuclear power stations worldwide.[9] In July 2012, Watkins' Namibian-based energy services company was awarded a petroleum exploration license by the Namibian Ministry of Mines and Energy.

External links


References

  1. 1 2 Manheim, James (2003). Contemporary Black Biography. Thomson Gale.
  2. ↑ Chandler, D.L. (October 23, 2014). "Little Known Black History Fact: Levi Watkins, Sr.". Black America Web. p. 2. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Alabama State University, A Time Line". Alabama State University. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  4. ↑ Poe, Janita (October 7, 2013). "Lillian Watkins, 96: Wife of legendary Alabama State University president Levi Watkins, matriarch of accomplished Watkins family". The Birmingham News. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  5. ↑ Roberts, Sam (April 16, 2015). "Levi Watkins, 70, Dies; Pioneering Heart Surgeon Pushed Civil Rights". New York Times. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Ventura To Watkins: Hip, Hip, Hooray!". CBS News: Eye on Sports. 2002-01-15. Retrieved 2007-05-07.
  7. ↑ "Former slugger Canseco will pitch his own book". ESPN.com. 2002-09-04. Retrieved 2007-05-08.
  8. ↑ John Helyar (2005-07-11). "The Man Who Saved Richard Scrushy". Voter News Network , Fortune.com. Retrieved 2007-05-07.
  9. ↑ "Birmingham company run by Donald Watkins to mine uranium in Namibia". The Huntsville Times. March 28, 2012. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
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