A native Tulsan, James G. “Jerry” Goodwin is senior partner of Goodwin & Grant, an advertising, marketing and public relations company headquartered in Tulsa. The company also specializes in diversity communications and marketing.
As a former third generation publisher, he served as Associate Publisher of The Oklahoma Eagle newspaper and is currently a member of its board of directors under Co-Publisher James O. Goodwin, Esq., his father and Uncle E. L. Goodwin, Jr.
After success in the newspaper business, Goodwin started his own public relations and marketing firm The Goodwin Group, LLC to expand his network on behalf of other corporations and organizations in Tulsa and in the state of Oklahoma. He later merged with Grant Communications to form the present company. Also, he is an adjunct instructor in the Journalism/Mass Communications Department at Tulsa Community College.
In addition to his professional work and other interests, Goodwin is presently volunteer chair of the American Red Cross Corporate Diversity Department and is former chair of its National Diversity Council, both in Washington D. C. He has also served as chair of the board of directors of the American Red Cross, Tulsa Chapter. Additionally, he serves as chair of the City of Tulsa-Rogers County Port Authority. He is a founding member of the National Association of Black Journalists, Tulsa Chapter. His other memberships include the Metropolitan Tulsa Urban League and former board chair of MTUL, Oklahoma State University Foundation, Public Relations Society of America and the Tulsa Race Riot Memorial Reconciliation Design Committee among others.
Prior to his present position, he served also as a staff assistant to former U.S. Congressman James R. Jones, First District, Oklahoma in 1985. He has also had an opportunity to work for political campaigns of both major political parties.
He graduated from Xavier University (Cincinnati, OH), serving as president of the student body, with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in business. His high school education was completed at Cascia Hall Preparatory School. He received special recognition and distinction at both institutions.