#blackwomensparkchange
It’s time to share their stories
Know someone you think should be highlighted? Let us know!
Mary Brown Creates a Safe Space Where Her “Family” Learns Through Artistic Expression
For 24 years, Mary has led the charge at Life Pieces To Masterpieces, an organization for African American boys in Wards 7 and 8 For many, career paths are linear — they follow a seemingly set course starting from college and moving into a career. That, though, wasn’t the case for Mary Brown. After graduating…
Entrepreneur and Change Agent Karen Alston Uses the Power of Storytelling to Change Lives
She’s helping thousands find their voices, as a business leader and nonprofit board member Karen Alson never envisioned working in the nonprofit arena. A graduate of Howard University, Karen dove into the business world post-graduation, working at global enterprises such as JP Morgan, MBNA Bank and AOL. But, years into her corporate rise, Karen took…
Marilyn Lacy Turned Trauma into Powerful Advocacy and Ministry
Through her church- and community-based work, Marilyn has helped countless women and girls impacted by sexual abuse Trauma was a central theme to Marilyn Lacy’s early years. Sexually abused by her stepfather, Marilyn found herself in “a world of bad choices and wrong decisions,” including a long-term relationship with another abuser while in her teens. …
Karen Venable-Croft’s Innovative Charter School Elevates the Next Generation of Innovators & Entrepreneurs
This passionate educator took a leap of faith and created a truly unique learning environment for young women For more than two decades, math teacher Karen Venable-Croft was focused on bringing big ideas and unique paths to learning to her students. Then, two years ago, she and her partner took the ultimate leap, founding Girls…
Valerie Rochester’s Passion for Public Health Helps Thousands Gain Understanding and Support
AIDS United’s VP shares her personal journey from a decades-long career in public health Indiana native Valerie L. Rochester has always been committed to service. “I actually had a very circuitous route to get to where I am today,” she says. “I had no idea I’d wind up in the nonprofit world because that was…
For Koube Ngaaje, helping others is in her DNA
Battling double pandemics—COVID-19 and the resulting increase in domestic violence—has tested the mettle of this Executive Director and the organization she leads. Since taking the reins of District Alliance for Safe Housing (DASH) in 2017—10 years after the ground-breaking organization launched—35-year-old Executive Director Koube Ngaaje has doubled the organization’s capacity to shelter victims of domestic…
Academy of Hope’s Joy Bentley Phillips Drives Meaningful Change Through Adult Education
This dynamic young executive has built an unparalleled fundraising program from the ground up Trying to keep our families and friends safe and healthy while balancing our personal and professional lives—in 2020, this became an almost impossible task for many. Despite these obstacles, though, Joy Bentley Phillips, Chief Advancement Officer at the Academy of Hope…
With Every Budget, Stephanie Sneed Fights for Change
By democratizing budget and program information and allocations, Fair Budget Coalition gives constituents a voice in the most important conversations After college, Stephanie Sneed dove right into an accelerated teaching program, taking over her own classroom just months later. “I didn’t feel prepared at all,” she says. “These schools required a lot—and not a single…
Wanda Steptoe Follows Her Heart & Her Lifelong Passion to Help Those in Need
Since she was a child, Wanda Steptoe knew she wanted to help people. “I grew up in a very large, very close-knit, loving family,” Wanda says. “One of my cousins had Down’s Syndrome — and life for people with developmental differences wasn’t like it is today. They recommended putting him in an institution — but…
LaKendra McNair Sparks Change
LaKendra McNair Empowers & Accelerates Minority and Women-Owned Businesses We’re thrilled to officially launch our #BlackWomenSparkChange campaign with LaKendra McNair. LaKendra is a Vice President at M&T Bank who focuses on serving underrepresented business leaders and entrepreneurs in the greater D.C. area. Her “purpose-driven” approach defies traditional banking and lending, empowering women- and minority-owned organizations…
- « Previous
- 1
- …
- 7
- 8
- 9