Marva Smalls is Executive Vice President, Global Inclusion Strategy, VIACOM and Executive Vice President, Public Affairs and Chief of Staff, VIACOM Kids & Family Group. Smalls is the chief administrative officer of the networks and their ancillary businesses, directing financial resources, personnel and facilities for their New York, Los Angeles and international offices. Smalls also manages and oversees meetings of the company’s Executive Management Team, a strategic planning group comprised of the senior executives in charge of each network and line of business.
An established veteran in the public sector, Smalls oversees all of the pro-social and corporate responsibility initiatives for Nickelodeon, MTVN Kids and Family Group, and their relationships with advocates, government officials, educators, non-profit organizations and trade associations. She has longstanding relationships with public affairs, government, communications and philanthropic organizations on both the state and national level. Smalls is a leader in developing strategies to combat the growing obesity epidemic with kids by testifying and speaking at governmental and industry forums on the topic.
Under Smalls’ leadership, Nickelodeon’s pro-social campaigns have been recognized by presidential administrations and have garnered the support of top names in the entertainment industry. She brought Nickelodeon’s Let’s Just Play, an award-winning, national multi-media campaign and grassroots effort to encourage more positive, healthy and playful lifestyles, together with The William J. Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association to help reduce childhood obesity. Smalls spearheaded The Big Help, which empowered 40 million kids to pledge 380 million hours of volunteer service, and was honored with the George C. Peabody and Golden CableAce awards.
Smalls has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of South Carolina. She serves on numerous boards of directors including the National Council for Families and Television, the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation, Big Brothers – Big Sisters of America, the National Bank of South Carolina, the South Carolina Educational Television Endowment Commission, Medical University of South Carolina and the University of South Carolina’s Education Foundation and American Theater Wing. Smalls is a recent recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Francis Marion University and Coker College.
It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Cal LaRoche, a brilliant and dedicated advisor and champion of the Ron Brown Scholar Program, who left us on Wednesday, April 9th, 2025.
Born in New York in January 1946, Cal graduated from Central State University in Ohio, where he joined the Eta Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. His career spanned decades of leadership and innovation, beginning at the National Security Agency and continuing through key roles at IBM, SkyTel Communications, and The Orkand Corporation.
A visionary entrepreneur, Cal later co-founded DC Ventures and Associates.
His commitment to service was unwavering. Cal chaired the Boards of Trustees at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda and Norwood School and served with distinction for 15 years on the Advisory Board of the Ron Brown Scholar Program. His leadership extended to the Beta Mu, Boulé Foundation Board, where he served as Chair, and to Patients For Affordable Drugs, where he was a founding board member and Treasurer.
An avid golfer and advocate for equity in the sport, Cal co-founded the Pro-Duffer/Carter Foundation Scholarship to promote diversity in golf. A long-time member of TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm, he was as passionate about creating opportunity as he was about the game itself.
Cal’s legacy is carried on by his beloved family: his mother, Lucille “Gloria” David; his wife, Esperanza, and their sons, CJ and Ethan; his former wife, Cheryl LaRoche; their daughters, Gina LaRoche, Renee LaRoche-Morris, and Danielle LaRoche; six grandchildren; and his siblings. His wisdom, warmth, and unwavering belief in the potential of young people will remain an enduring part of the Ron Brown Scholar community.
We are forever grateful for Cal’s enduring support, leadership, and love. He leaves behind a legacy of excellence, generosity, and deep humanity. He will be deeply missed.
