Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle’s Post

There's two reasons you'd need a KHA in your corner. 1️⃣ Many mission-driven organizations keep a fairly lean staff. When you have a big project or urgent need, you may need "staff extenders" to provide:  - research and evaluation - project management - change management and organizational development - convening support and facilitation … so that you can put the wheels on your work! 2️⃣ In other cases, something has happened. Either harm has been done to Black, Brown or Indigenous communities ... or there is a pressing, timely, and critical opportunity to flow money and resources to their leadership. Either way, you need a partner in helping make everyone whole. To transform an existing system for infinitely good possibilities. Next week, our email newsletter highlights an example of our work: reauthenticating Black leadership in the Reproductive Justice ecosystem while fostering accountability and responsiveness among funders. Don’t miss it—join our email list today to get insights, strategies, and stories that can inspire your own work. 📧 https://lnkd.in/ed8kuPBX 📧 #RacialEquity #SystemsChange #Philanthropy #ConsultingFirm

Teen suicide is a silent crisis affecting our communities, with alarming trends among Black youth. Did you know: ·        Between 2018 and 2022, the suicide rate among Black youth rose by more than 50% ·        Suicide is now the 2nd leading cause of death for Black children aged 10-14 ·        Black children under 13 are nearly twice as likely to die by suicide compared to their white peers In Philadelphia, where many of our youth face unique challenges, programs like the Philadelphia Youth Leadership Council are crucial. These initiatives: ·        Give teens a voice in addressing issues that affect them ·        Provide peer support and mentorship ·        Develop leadership skills and confidence ·        Create a sense of belonging and purpose We can help combat feelings of hopelessness and isolation by empowering our youth, especially those at risk. Supporting programs like PYLC isn't just about developing leaders but saving lives. For more information email: CEU@PHILA.GOV GO TO PHILA.GOV WEBSITE AT https://lnkd.in/ecTBRgrW

THEY’RE NOT LIKE US – Wrigcoll They show up in the boardrooms, silent when injustice screams outside, but quick to wear tuxedos in dining halls—where white privilege fills the air, and deals that silence Black voices fill the agenda. These “leaders” claim to stand for our community, but they profit quietly while our communities suffer. Racism festers in Boston, but when called to confront it, they sit out. These self-proclaimed advocates hold meetings with the elite, profiting off our struggle yet leaving our true needs unheard. They claim to be Black-led but refuse to fight for real change. Those who pretend to lead, remember: YOU ARE NOT LIKE US. Wrigcoll will stand, speak, and fight unapologetically, for we know what it means to face Boston’s racism head-on. Boston Ujima Project Black Economic Council of Massachusetts Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative Boston While Black Union of Minority Neighborhoods City Life/Vida Urbana Nubian Markets Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association Mass Liberation My Brother’s Keeper Boston #AccountabilityNow  #JusticeForAll #BlackLivesMatter  #BLM  #SayTheirNames #BlackExcellence  #BuyBlack  #SupportBlackBusinesses #HealthEquity  #BlackHealthMatters  #EndHealthDisparities #RepresentationMatters  #MentalHealthMatters  #BlackMentalHealth #EndTheStigma #ClimateJustice  #CleanAirForAll #CriminalJusticeReform #FairJustice #Antiracism #StopRacism #EndRacism #RacismIsReal #Equality #Justice #SocialJustice #HumanRights  #SpeakUp #TogetherForJustice #EqualOpportunity #HumanRightsForAll #Div #FoodForFree #Freeman #GBFB #BlackLivesMatter #BLM #Antiracism #StopRacism #JusticeForBernadette #SupportOurLeaders #FightDiscrimination #BECMAmember #management  #mentor  #lifecoach  #innovation,  #management  #digitalmarketing #technology #entrepreneurship #careers  #leadership #CommunityOverProfit #JusticeForWrigcoll #StandWithWrigcoll #woke #GBFBExposed #25daysofchristmas #hiring #Philanthropy #GivingBack #masshumanities  #humanitiesnews #PowerOfCulture  #ThinkUP #BoycottTheProfiteer #mabiz #cambridge #hiring #FoodForFree #Freeman #instagood #art #nature #beautiful #photooftheday #networking #leadership #Nonprofit  #DoGood #Philanthropy #SocialGood #Ujamaa  #SupportBlackOwned  #BlackOwnedBusinesses  #BECMA  #Entrepreneurship  #Ownership #Kwanzaa #SquashHunger #Kwanzaa #BelongingAndThriving #BECMA  #BECMABoard  #TeamBECMA

“One of the beauties of being human is that there are so many perspectives to learn from. You can’t learn everything about everyone, but just take a step to learn about people’s struggles, victories, and contributions to the world at large." Check out this inspiring piece on Juneteenth and creating a more inclusive future from McKinstry's Lavell Flamon:

Black leaders have always been the moral compass of American democracy. In 2025, our task is clear: resist the forces that seek to divide us and protect the vision that has carried us for generations.   In my latest essay, I explore what this moment demands of us—not just resistance to authoritarian tactics but a commitment to disciplined solidarity within our coalitions. The road to an inclusive democracy runs through our communities, and we must lead it with clarity, focus, and purpose. How do we uphold this vision in the face of such calculated opposition? I share thoughts on leadership, unity, and what it means to champion the most marginalized among us. Join the conversation, read the essay, and let’s continue the work together.

To every black boy with a dream, especially those in NYC who are reminded that we’re disproportionately affected by all things negative TODAY IS A NEW DAY! It’s proof of what’s possible when we are given access to resources and opportunity! It’s the promise we must hold true to & dig deeper in the pit of our gut and depths of our souls to stay the course and remain resilient! Delayed but Not Denied! God Had Bigger Plans for Me! I am beyond grateful & full! Dear Young James, As I write this, I’m stepping into a role that once felt like a distant dream: Executive Director of the NYC Young Men's Initiative (YMI). Yes, that’s right—your name will one day sit alongside those leading efforts to empower young men of color to thrive. I’m writing to tell you something I wish someone had told you sooner: your dreams are not too ambitious, and betting on yourself is always worth it. I know you’re grappling with self-doubt, feeling like the obstacles in your path are insurmountable. As a Black boy navigating a world that often underestimates you, the weight can feel crushing. But let me assure you, every challenge you face is forging a strength within you that will become your greatest asset. Hold onto that fire. It’s what will propel you to places you can’t yet imagine. One day, you’ll look back and see the purpose in the struggles. The moments when you feel unseen will fuel your passion for ensuring others are seen. The systems that seemed stacked against you will inspire you to fight for systemic change. The doubts that once clouded your vision will sharpen your resolve to prove to yourself and others what’s possible. When you join organizations like FAN4Kids DYCD, and Phipps Neighborhoods, you’ll learn the transformative power of investing in people and communities. Programs like Coro LNY and the American Express Global Leadership Academy will help you grow into the leader you’re destined to become. All of it will prepare you for this role at YMI, where you’ll champion equity and opportunity for young men of color—young men who, like you, need someone to believe in their potential. YMI’s work is vital. It’s about breaking cycles of inequity, addressing disparities in education, employment, health, and justice, and creating pathways to success. It’s about ensuring that every young man of color knows he belongs, his dreams matter, and he has the tools to achieve them. This mission aligns so deeply with your journey because you’ve lived it. You’ll bring your lived experience to this work, and that authenticity will be your superpower. To your younger self, I say this: bet on yourself. Push past the fear and self-doubt. Take the leaps, even when you’re unsure of where you’ll land. Surround yourself with mentors, allies, and a community that uplifts you. And most importantly, never stop dreaming. The world needs your vision and your voice. With gratitude, hope and promise! James A. Stratford, MPA Executive Director, NYC Young Men’s Initiative

The journey toward true change requires a shift in how we see ourselves and the structures around us. Both individually and as organizations, we need to understand how ingrained behaviors and perspectives often reinforce the limitations that racism and other forms of oppression place on our identities. Relearning and reframing these elements are the first steps to building stronger, more resilient communities. At Next Leadership, we're committed to empowering communities to take those steps with impactful initiatives like the Black Resilience Network. We equip individuals and organizations with the tools, insights, and support they need to create lasting change and counter systems of oppression. [DONATE TODAY] to support the Black Resilience Network in empowering leaders, offering critical resources, and driving sustainable, equitable change. https://lnkd.in/eiSEN3xd 📖 To dive deeper, read: We Are the Question + the Answer: Break the Collective Habit of Racism + Build Resilience for Racial Equity in Ourselves and Our Organizations. Together, let's make resilience and equity a lasting reality. #BlackResilience #NextLeadership #Community

This is a brave inclusive depiction and description of what INCLUSION and EQUITY feel and mean NOW for Europe

The first workshop has passed but for those who are transforming #funding check out the second

Great feature on philanthropy leader Trish Adobea Tchume by Mandy Van Deven! It's so refreshing to read Trish's reflections on the power dynamics and responsibility of philanthropy: "For as long as it exists, philanthropy has a responsibility to serve as risk capital and give people space to think beyond what is currently happening — but its role has to be specific: You’re mostly the money. The work I do is to negotiate that and to create structures that help us to mostly stay in that lane. It’s not that we have no opinion about what we think is possible, but the frameworks we are developing around our exploring leadership work are really clear about our funding role. As transparently as possible, I negotiate the tension between what we care about as funders and what the partners we resource care about, and try to design something that redistributes power so that the people who have the most to gain from this experimentation have the most power in figuring out how the experiment goes." Who are other leaders in philanthropy you admire, friends?