#blackwomensparkchange
It’s time to share their stories
Know someone you think should be highlighted? Let us know!
A researcher, an artist, an inspiration: Dr. Ayoka Wiles embodies the magic of living passionately
Throughout the course of her life, Dr. Ayoka Wiles has followed her heart. She currently works in arts and culture, global unit, at Open Society Foundations, the world’s largest private funder of independent groups working for justice, democratic governance, and human rights. Attaining a PhD in Public Policy and Administration with a concentration in nonprofit…
Leigh Player is Making a Lane for Black Women in the Fundraising World
Leigh Player is the Chief Development Officer of Horton Kids, a wraparound out-of-school-time service provider for under resourced DC neighborhoods. Horton Kids offers a range of programming, from tutoring to field trips to basic needs support. Students who participate in Horton Kids are twice as likely to graduate from high school. While Leigh loves building…
Ashley Munson Serves as a Liaison From the Streets to the Statehouse
From an early age, Ashley Munson felt called to represent those who don’t have a voice. Mentors, friends, and even strangers have repeatedly told her she was created for this work. She currently works as Senior Manager of Advocacy with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, an organization that helps provide food to more than 700…
Saran Fossett Encourages Black Girls and LGBTQ+ Youth to Shine
Saran Fossett is the founder and executive director of AZIZA PE&CE (AP), a nonprofit program that uses music, fashion, art, fitness, and entertainment to help girls of color and LGBTQ+ youth build self-esteem and confidence. AP offers in-school, after-school and summer mentorship programming that includes everything from workshops on toxic relationships to museum field trips.…
Nile Fossett Finds Inspiration From Her Mom as She Succeeds in Her Own Nonprofit Career
Nile Fossett is the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Outreach Specialist with Girls Who Code, an international nonprofit working to close the gender gap in tech. Nile is also studying ICT and Data for Development (the intersection of data science and public policy) as an MPA-DP candidate at the Columbia University School of International and Public…
Saran and Nile Fossett are a Mother and Daughter Team Opening Doors for Girls of Color
Saran and Nile Fossett are the mother-daughter team behind AZIZA PE&CE (AP), a nonprofit program that uses art, fitness, music and fashion to support girls of color and LGBTQ+ youth on their journeys of self-actualization. Saran is the founder and executive director of AP while Nile serves as the director of operations. Love is at…
Adwoa Rey is Grounded in Her Faith as She Fights for Social Justice
Adwoa Rey is the Chief Advancement Officer at Sojourners, a Christian faith-based social justice advocacy organization and award-winning magazine. She is also the President and CEO of Women of Praize, a non-profit dedicated to providing spiritual support for women of color in politics. Adwoa recently founded a second non-profit called You Read You Lead, a…
Reverend Kazimir Brown Fuses Faith and Public Policy to Address Social Injustices
Reverend Kazimir Brown serves as the National Director of Religious Affairs for Repairers of the Breach. This nonpartisan nonprofit was founded in 2015 by Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II (Bishop Barber) to organize and support activists as they pursue moral analysis and moral public policy agendas. “I actually first heard about Bishop Barber when…
Ruby Powell-Dennis is Working to Uplift Black Women in Politics
Ruby Powell-Dennis is the founder and executive director of the Elect Black Women PAC and it’s nonprofit sister organization, The Black Woman Institute. Both organizations engage Black women seeking political leadership. These organizations connect candidates with a network of other Black women leaders across the country in addition to providing outreach and training. “As we…
Dr. Elesia Glover Created Posh Pack to Address the Issue of Period Poverty
Dr. Elesia Glover is the founder and president of Posh Pack, a nonprofit organization that provides feminine hygiene essentials to students. The organization also works to educate elected officials and the general public on the importance of alleviating period poverty. The organization donated 3,000 pads in 2018. Now, Posh Pack donates 22,000 pads annually and…