Toni Harrison Freeman, DSHA '74, has dedicated her life and career to serving others. Embracing the call to make a difference, she has received numerous awards for her leadership, nonprofit work, and commitment to improving her city of Charlotte, NC.
Freeman grew up near another Milwaukee Catholic co-ed high school but, as encouraged by her parents, chose to attend DSHA for its college-prep academics and faith-based environment. During her freshman year, she found comfort in the all-girls environment, the integration of faith in daily activities, and the empowerment within an all-women classroom. She was determined to stay at DSHA.
In the summer before her senior year, Freeman was nominated by the DSHA Social Studies Department to participate in a program known as Discovering Urban America. She was among two DSHA and 100 Milwaukee area high school students selected for this program. They traveled across seven different U.S. cities for two weeks, studying various aspects of urbanization, including public transportation and infrastructure, and meeting with elected officials and community leaders. This experience opened her eyes to the value of giving back to others.
After graduating, Freeman pursued a bachelor's in education at National Louis University in Chicago and later earned her master's in higher education administration from Michigan State University. She then moved to Charlotte, NC, and worked at two colleges and universities. She also, throughout her career, has held various positions, such as working with architects to build student housing on college campuses, serving as the Director of Research & Evaluation for The Duke University Endowment, Chief Operating Officer at a museum, and acting as the Executive VP of the Arts & Science Council of Charlotte. In 2019, Freeman was honored with the Legacy Award from Leadership Charlotte for her lasting impact on the community.
Freeman has also contributed to the Charlotte community by serving on the boards of several organizations, incorporating her faith into every aspect of her life. She has been involved with organizations such as the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) and Habitat for Humanity. She then became a founding board director and later President of the Charlotte Woman's Impact Fund in 2003. A foundation committed to strengthening communities by maximizing women's leadership in philanthropy, she helped grow the organization from 70 members to over 500. She was elected President of the Association of Junior Leagues International, advancing women's leadership in 298 communities for meaningful impact, and served in that role from 2012 to 2014. Additionally, she previously served on the board of Teen Health Connection, Women Executives for Community Services, Hospice of Charlotte and Lincoln counties, and many others.
Currently semi-retired, Freeman helps the community by writing grants for nonprofits. She chairs the board for Walden University, supporting a diverse community of adult learners seeking to achieve their academic goals and create positive change in their communities.
Freeman credits DSHA with reinforcing her faith and nurturing her commitment to service. She expresses her pride in the school as a place for young women to realize their full potential.
In her leisure time, Freeman enjoys book and investment clubs. When not reading, she is watching an excellent movie.