North Central Minority Supplier Development Council (NCMSDC)’s Post

As the tricolor paints the sky with pride, CCSL Consulting stands tall in honoring the vibrant spirit of our great nation. In the palette of diversity, every color represents a unique story, a shared aspiration, and the strength that binds us together. Today, we celebrate a masterpiece of unity, resilience, and progress that continues to unfold. Happy Republic Day from CCSL Consulting! #RepublicDay #CCSLConsulting #UnityInDiversity"

In 2023, AWBI was increasingly intentional about convening practitioners and supporters to create a just economy. Hence, we launched the Black Community Wealth Network – a national network positioned to build a broad network of practitioners and supporters committed to the task of building Black community wealth. And through it, we have expanded the narrative to apply a more interdisciplinary analysis on what it means to build wealth for Black people and communities, according to Janelle Williams, PhD, CEO and Co-Founder of AWBI. We are grateful to bring together a key group of investors, advocates, practitioners, and scholars who will continue to help us create a just economy for Black people. Explore our full report at https://lnkd.in/dRAazvq #AtlAwbi #communitywealthbuilding #economicjustice

The community development finance industry is at an inflection point. Challenging, yes. Volatile, yes. But also ripe with opportunity. Read about President and CEO Harold Pettigrew, Jr.'s first year at OFN, in his own words. #LetsGetToWork #CDFIs #EconomicJustice #ClimateJustice

Short origin story (with shoutouts)... Six years ago, Kristen King handed me the Bridge to Completion report created by the Tennessee College Access and Success Network & Nashville Public Education Foundation. This report started me down a path that I would devote my next 6 years of my life waking up every morning thinking about. As principal at RePublic Schools, my very next PD session was focused on this report and it became the backbone of my "why" and my "what" in education. Why were we measuring "success" on low-income students graduating from high school and getting accepted into college and not on students getting college degrees and being fruitful employees? What could we do to solve the problem of only 24% of Nashville students earning a college degree? Fast forward to 5 years ago, when Kristen and I were considering the idea of Persist Nashville, a good friend of mine, Stephen Zralek, connected me with Jennifer H. to have lunch. What I didn't know from that meeting was that, along with Bob Obrohta, Jennifer was the primary architect of the report that started me down the path. As a super energetic and often naive founder with an idea, Jennifer was willing to take a chance on me and be my first Board Chair. Once a month I would walk into Jennifer's office with a list of 17-19 ideas and she would tell me go for it, a gentle maybe, and only occasionally a no. Behind the scenes, Jennifer was making sure I was seated in the right rooms, listening to the people who really understood the problem of college persistence and could help us solve it. She often had to smooth over my rough edges and gracefully advocate for my good intentions. In all ways, she helped me and Persist grow. 2 years ago, Jennifer and I were selected for the Tennessee SCORE Complete Tennessee Leadership Institute, one of the best professional programs I've been a part of. Through these intensive retreats, something clicked, and I realized that Jennifer was really what our team at Persist needed. Her ability to understand and navigate complex systems, leadership style, and fierce advocacy for students was what Persist needed as we emerged from our infancy stage of organizational development. 1 year ago, my team agreed and unanimously voted to bring her on as our first Chief of Staff. Over the past year she has built a new strategic plan, helped me navigate one of the most challenging seasons of our organization, and built the systems we need to smartly grow. 1 day ago the Board approved Jennifer to be our next Executive Director and I could not be happier. You've helped this idea become a reality and now you and Kristen will take this reality to new heights. So thankful for you. For those wondering, I'm not leaving Persist. My role will shift down in July to focusing on our work outside of Nashville as I take on a new role serving schools in Nashville. More to come, but for now, cheers to Jennifer. You will be an extraordinary leader of our team!

M&T Bank and Wilmington Trust together with NBC4 invite you to a discussion celebrating African American business leadership, entrepreneurship, and the need for access to advocacy, sponsorship, and capital in a business. Our panel will also discuss the State of Black Wealth in the U.S., the importance of financial inclusion and building generational wealth. Click on the image to register. #nonprofitleadership #nonprofits https://lnkd.in/eed_rar6

FBEC Membership Update - May 2024 Here’s a snapshot of recent developments: 📅 Next FBEC General Meeting: May 23, 2024. Register now to join! https://lnkd.in/ghDGmnSC 📝 Action Plan for Black Federal Public Servants: - In January 2023, work on the Action Plan halted, affecting FBEC's leadership. - On January 21, 2024, Minister Anand announced the restart of the Action Plan, pledging collaboration with FBEC. - FBEC is engaged in discussions toward reconciliation and improving outcomes for Black employees. 🌟 FBEC Senior Leaders Council: - Established in the past year, this council offers strategic support from retired executives, activists, and bargaining agent leaders.    📈 FBEC 2024-27 Strategic Plan: - Priorities include Stakeholder Engagement, Policy Research, and Workplace Culture. - Consultations underway to shape FBEC's renewed vision. 🌍 United Nations Presentation: - Ronald Sharpe presented at the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent in April 2024, highlighting Canadian efforts to combat racism in the Federal Public Service. Moving Forward: - FBEC recognizes ongoing challenges for Black employees, emphasizing the need for ambitious solutions. - Renewed leadership, engagement with partners, and alignment with the UN Decade for People of African Descent are central to FBEC's goals. Join us on May 23, 2024, for further discussion! Let's work together toward a more inclusive and equitable public service. #FBECUpdate #DiversityandInclusion #FBEC_CEFN #BlackEquity #BlackExcellence

I attended NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF BLACK SCHOOL EDUCATORS (NABSE) conference this year to present at an event powered by Varsity Tutors, a Nerdy Company and McGraw Hill. They allowed me to talk about what was on my mind, so the topic of my talk was "Leading While Black in an Anti-Black Cultural Context." I thought it was fitting for NABSE's audience. The gist of my talk was this: We, Black superintendents, must be proactive in our approach to thrive while working to change the trajectory and destinies of the children we serve. Until we, as a community, acknowledge the toxic environments we are asking Black leaders to lead in, we will not change the mediocrity of the status quo. Four points of action I left the group with were the following: 1. Collectively pool resources to establish reputation       insurance with a reputable entity or non-profit to support           legal and media support  2. Encourage and establish research hubs at multiple major       universities and at key non-profit organizations to         communicate the success stories and experiences of Black       superintendents and governance teams and their efforts       to lead for equity  3. Strengthen local state affiliates of Black educator       organizations to support the networking and hiring of         Black superintendents and leaders  4. Be intentional about networking with corporate partners       and universities to strengthen transitional opportunities        and innovative partnerships When you know better, you should do better. I hope my research and actions positively affects at least one aspiring superintendent or superintendent out there. I'll do my part. I hope we do "our" part collectively so that our children receive excellence, by design, every day. AERA SIG 97: Research on the Superintendency HU SOE #NABSE #BlackSuperintendents #SchoolGovernance

This week, former CEO of the Black Business Council in the Built Environment (BBCBE) and current Vice President of the Black Business Council, Mr Gregory Mofokeng joins Ms Kululwa Muthwa in studio to discuss all things property 🏢 One key take away is whether government is doing enough to support businesses within the space or there is more we need to do before we reach our targets 🎯 Make sure to tune in tomorrow as we dive deeper into the property landscape and how we can contribute in levelling the playing field 🎚️ #property #saibpp #propertymarket #transformation #levellingtheplayingfield

The Children's Defense Fund’s theory of change calls CDF into ongoing conversation with the communities we serve to build a comprehensive policy agenda for child well-being. Our numerous discussions with CDF Freedom Schools scholars, parents, and youth leaders; faith organizers; and young people in our Black Student Leadership Network collectively painted a vivid picture of the world we want for our youth. This policy agenda, presented at CDF’s 50th Anniversary celebration in November, presents these aspirations and illuminates the policy paths to achieve them. It recognizes that children themselves cannot be the only locus of intervention for their well-being. Their life outcomes are first impacted by the environments, families, school systems and neighborhoods in which they sing, dance, and play. Transforming our communities--from national to local--will create the conditions in which all young people grow up with dignity, hope, and joy.

99 years ago today, 10 municipal leaders from across the country sat down together in Lawrence, Kansas for the first official meeting of the National League of Cities. On this important anniversary, I took some time to reflect on how much has changed and what has remained the same for our incredible organization in these last 100 years. Read more about it on our CitiesSpeak blog here: https://lnkd.in/ebb6j-_Y