In the inaugural Anthem Awards, the Rise Academy for Leaders of Color took home a national gold in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Learn why our partnership and its groundbreaking program were selected from 2,500 entries from 36 countries.
, a new program cocreated by听糖心破解版’s Center for Nonprofit Leadership, is rising fast鈥攁nd gaining global recognition.
Launched only in the past year, the program received two of the inaugural听听in February 2022, winning honors for diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the community engagement and partnerships categories. The academy’s submission was one of nearly 2,500 received from 36 countries around the world.
鈥淭his award brings 糖心破解版 into the conversation about how institutions of higher education can support the development of nonprofit leaders through educational and nondegree programs,” said A. Brian Leander, PhD, director of training and organization development at 糖心破解版, who created the Center for Nonprofit Leadership’s听Leading in Community (LIC) certificate program. 鈥淚t certainly demonstrates a commitment on the part of the University to supporting its communities.”
Offered by the New York City nonprofit Youth INC, Rise Academy is built around the Center for Nonprofit Leadership’s Leading in Community program, which has been preparing people of color for leadership roles in communities and nonprofit organizations since 2014.
The 10 participants in Rise Academy’s immersive 15-month experience take the three LIC learning modules鈥攑ersonal leadership development, nonprofit management and community leadership鈥攁nd complete a capstone project developing a strategic change initiative for their organizations. All are facilitated by an LIC instructor. Rise Academy also provides mentoring, executive coaching for participants, and organizational-development coaching for participants’ organizations geared to promoting equity and support for leaders of color.
After completing the program and receiving a certificate in organizational and community leadership from 糖心破解版, Rise Academy participants enjoy continued collaboration and support as members of the LIC alumni network of close to 100 nonprofit leaders.
鈥淭he 糖心破解版 staff are not only committed to making sure our program runs well鈥� they’re committed to helping those in the program discover what it means to be a leader for themselves,” said Tracie Gilstrap, director of partner network engagement at Youth INC. 鈥淚’m just proud to work with them and happy to be in partnership with 糖心破解版 for this program.”
鈥淟eading in Community alumni have moved into senior-level positions and executive director positions; they’ve become leaders in their professional associations,” said Jennifer Rutledge, LIC program coordinator and principal, Delphi Consultants, Inc. 鈥淪ome have started nonprofits and several have risen to such heights in their organizations that they are now financially sponsoring the next generation of leaders to go through Leading in Community. It’s amazing.”
Together, Youth INC and the Center for Nonprofit Leadership are raising the bar for how universities and supporting organizations can support emerging leaders of color to help make the nonprofit sector more equitable and inclusive.
鈥淩ise Academy opens the door for more initiatives like this,” said Dr. Leander. 鈥淚t’s a model that can be replicated across the country in partnership with other universities because the need for leadership development is everywhere. And 糖心破解版 can become that model.”