Calvin Butler’s Post

Inside our latest report: Reckoning with Sustainability We interviewed over 50 Black leaders for our latest report. They each had a clear analysis of what their organizations need for the future, as well as what it will take to support Black leadership in the community organizing field and strengthen Black-led power building infrastructure in this moment of backlash and retrenchment. These interviews uncovered three critical pillars for Black organizing infrastructure: - Sustained and flexible funding - Investment in a robust movement ecosystem - Funding for training and skills Download the full report: https://hubs.la/Q02r60sY0

Did you know you can use your Perkins funding on UDL professional development? The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) recommends UDL for state leadership and professional development. Find out how to use Perkins Funding to deliver UDL-based professional development, improve work-based learning, and create innovative solutions to local issues. https://ow.ly/Ameu50QFF1O

Did you know EdTrust-Midwest was among the many organizations across Michigan that understood the importance of implementing new national college- and career-ready standards and of Michigan’s leadership in the development of the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium? These initiatives enabled Michigan to adopt an assessment system that was aligned with higher national standards and comparable across more than 20 states using the same system. Learn more about these efforts: bit.ly/ETMimpactstories

Annually, the Hispanic Collaborative and the African American Leadership Alliance of Milwaukee (AALAM) publish Well-Being Indexes that offer a comparative view of how Milwaukee’s Black and Brown communities are progressing compared to peer metros. The indexes show that while progress is being made, we need to pick up the pace. Cross-sector collaboration, meaning a true shared vision and responsibility, is required to address our issues at scale to create a stronger Milwaukee region. Learn more about MMAC's Region of Choice Initiative: https://lnkd.in/eS-xshcg

***IDFPR INITIATIVE*** Under new Acting Director of Professional Regulation Camile Lindsay’s leadership, we’re streamlining our processes and taking proactive steps to improve efficiencies for the review of professional licensure applications. Learn more about the improvements we’ve made and what’s to come in our report, “Reimagining Illinois: A Six-Month Review of the Division of Professional Regulation.” https://lnkd.in/gaabMnuZ

NEW in Candid. Our latest Race to Lead report, The Push and Pull: Declining Interest in Nonprofit Leadership, found that interest in leadership is declining among Black, Indigenous, and other people of color. BMP's co-executive directors, Frances Kunreuther and Sean Thomas-Breitfeld, explore why aspiration to lead is declining. They explore reasons, including that BIPOC staff are often pushed into leadership to escape negative experiences and how once in leadership roles they lack the support of the board and staff. Read the full article here: https://hubs.la/Q02p82Mq0

“How do we get more leaders to understand that their future leaders are in classrooms today?” In celebration of our 10-year anniversary, Lisa Dughi, Board member and CEO of NAF, shares her connection to America Succeeds’ mission, as it aligns with her career focus on ensuring students are prepared for any path they choose. Watch the full video here: https://buff.ly/49ZRAQi

Looking forward to moderating this all-star panel on #climate and #environmental advocacy, featuring Katie Robinson, Jacqueline Patterson, Susan Hendershot, and Ariana Gonzalez and exploring this important topic together! The #BuildingTogether leadership experience from the Council on Foundations is timely, to say the least. In my own environmental advocacy before joining the foundation world, a regret is not fully appreciating the power of authentic, principled coalitions. Sure, I worked in coalition. But primarily with other organizations that closely shared the same policy goals. Our differences sometimes seemed large, but they were, in context, minute. On so many issues today, generating the influence to overcome powerful opponents requires more than working effectively with those with whom you already share affinity. It also demands figuring out how to expand the circle of affinity. Exploring common goals that exist. Forging, sometimes painfully, the actual relationships that can drive more influential and powerful responses to climate change, water pollution--and much more. This isn't just a "good" thing to do, its a strategic way to win.

Being a mentor in a similar leadership development program was life-changing. Participants grew, found their voice, confidence, skills, and lessons to cary forward and pass down to their followers as they advanced into leadership roles. When you invest in talent… Great things happen! Why would you expect anything different from a cohort of professionals eager to grow and reach their potential who happen to be blind? #Leadership #Talent #ProfessionalDevelopment #Inclusion

Thank you, Kash Shaikh, for the inspiring conversation with the Spirit of Construction Foundation Emerging Leaders! Your career journey and leadership philosophy deeply resonated with us, leaving us with valuable insights. Key takeaways include: ➡ 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗮 𝗯𝗼𝘀𝘀, 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 — it's about more than just telling people what to do; it’s about helping them excel and inspiring them to be their best. ➡ 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 — the team around you and the company culture can significantly influence your success. Surround yourself with a culture that aligns with your values and principles. ➡ 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 — build an emotional connection, embrace vulnerability, and use constructive criticism as an opportunity for personal and professional growth. ➡ 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 — teamwork, clear expectations, and accountability are crucial for success. Those who stick with you during tough times are the right people on your team and will be there to also celebrate your success. ➡ 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗶𝘁𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲. Sacrifice, struggle, and suffering are all part of the path to success, which requires both self-awareness and situational awareness. These are essential lessons to keep in mind daily. Thank you, Kash, for sharing your story, from your time at Procter & Gamble and GoPro to launching Baseball United, the first professional baseball league in the Middle East. We look forward to watching your continued success!