The Decline of Leadership Development for Nonprofit Professionals of Color?

AGM Diversity Fellowship Program

Yes, it’s 2010. And no, diversity is not dead.

Businesses like PriceWaterhouseCoopers understand that “diversity and inclusion is essential for business success,” especially when it comes to cultivating and supporting their talent. I and many of my colleagues often wish that more nonprofit groups would share this same priority in our work.

So of course, I was really sad to see that two longstanding leadership development programs for emerging foundation leaders of color are going away — at least temporarily. The Associated Grant Makers Diversity Fellowship and the ABFE (Association of Black Foundation Executives) Connecting Leaders Fellowship Program list both similar and different reasons for ending or halting their leadership development program for leaders of color.

Read the rest of my post on the Chronicle of Philanthropy here.

P.S. Do you know of any other leadership development efforts geared toward supporting people of color in the nonprofit sector? If so, please share them in the comments! I’d like to cull a list to share with you dear readers at a later date.

Virginia

I don't know if this is exactly what you mean, but I participated in the Sponsors for Educational Opportunity philanthropy internship program back in 2004. We interned for foundations and foundation associations. http://www.seo-usa.org/Career/Philanthropy/TFA
http://www.rootingnonprofits.com/blog Dawn

I participated in the Center for Progressive Leadership State Fellowship, which recruits leaders from communities which have traditionally lacked access to political power, including women, people of color, and LGBTQ folks. They have State Offices in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Ohio, and Colorado. At least half of the participants were with nonprofits, looking to develop our leadership skills in messaging, fundraising, campaign planning, and collaboration. They also have a New Leaders program and a new Executive Fellowship in Washington, DC that has applications open through July 9th. Check them out at: http://progressiveleaders.org/
http://twitter.com/sojourner8 Lisa Miller

I have never heard of a leadership program focused on supporting people of color. I look forward to checking out your list when it's been compiled. I live in Hickory, NC (1 hr from Charlotte, Asheville, and Winston-Salem) In the 8 years working in the nonprofit sector here, I've only met one other person of color leading an organization. This as always been an important issue for me and I'm glad to read your post.