TOLEDO, OHIO, January 13, 2022 – The Center for Nonprofit Resources (The Center), a program of Greater Toledo Community Foundation, graduated the ninth cohort of its Minority Executive Leadership Program this week. Through a series of high-quality professional development workshops facilitated by both national and local speakers and mentorships with community leaders, participants receive training, networking opportunities and ongoing support for personal and professional success. This is the ninth year of the program, which has graduated 59 people since 2013. Eight participants took part in a minimum of 30 hours of professional development and mentoring between July and December.
Graduates of the 2021 Minority Executive Leadership Program include:
- Carla Benjamin, Welcome to a New Life (Findlay, OH).
- Kelly Davis, Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity;
- Kathleen Greely, Community RE Investment Coalition - Englewood SW;
- Earl Harris, Vision Church;
- Rochelle Morrishaw, Women Helping Encouraging Women aka WHEW, Inc.;
- KaTrice Perry, Gateway Youth Development Program;
- Sierra Webb, Toledo-Lucas County Public Library; and,
- Reggie Williams, Frederick Douglass Community Association.
MEL participant Sierra Webb reflected on this opportunity saying “through this program, I have gained an unbelievable amount of support, education and mentorship in the community, and I am so thankful for the opportunity.” Like a number of other participants, she commented how all in this cohort are connected with each other. “This is an investment in myself. It was done in a fun way and we connected with each other. There was a lot of learning done, and in a safe space that allowed for candid discussion and sharing.”
The Certificate Program was started in 2013 as a result of community leaders of color on the Sustainable Strategies Committee identifying the need for a program that supports emerging minority nonprofit leaders, current nonprofit CEOs/Executive Directors and staff interested in growing into leadership positions. The Committee, led by Doni Miller, worked with The Center to design the program, which looks to build organizational sustainability to transform our community. The goal is to help participants develop their professional skills, better serve as employees in their current positions and be effective nonprofit leaders. This program is sponsored in part by The Andersons.
The Center will begin accepting applications for the next cohort in Spring 2022.
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About The Center for Nonprofit Resources
Greater Toledo Community Foundation initiated The Center for Nonprofit Resources in 2003 to improve capacity building for area nonprofits. The work of The Center includes an information and resource center, high quality professional development with certificate programs and one-on-one short-term consulting for nonprofit agencies in our region, as well as providing assistance for grant programs around strategic alliances to support nonprofit sustainability.
For further information about the Minority Executive Leadership Program, contact Milva Valenzuela Wagner, Director, The Center for Nonprofit Resources, 300 Madison Ave., Suite 1300, Toledo, OH 43604, phone: 419.241.9513, email [email protected] or visit https://c4npr.org/be-a-nonprofit-leader/c4npr-minority-executive-leadership-certificate-program/.
