In May, the Annie E. Casey Foundation launched the Baltimore Young Leaders Professional Development Program “to equip young leaders in Baltimore with the tools and support needed to create self-sufficient, sustainable nonprofits.” The program runs for six months and helps leaders strengthen their fundraising, budgeting, board development and data-analysis skills.
As Casey’s announcement says, the program was inspired by OSI-Baltimore’s study and resulting report, Young Gifted and Underfunded, which revealed that many youth leaders in Baltimore believe that their age is a barrier to receiving funding; they lack the tools and support to create strong, self-sufficient organizations; the grantmaking process is burdensome and shaped by distrust and racial bias; and philanthropy prioritizes solutions to problems favored by academics and experts instead of embracing strategies shaped by communities.
OSI is proud that the first cohort, listed below, includes several OSI-Baltimore Community Fellows, leaders of organizations founded by Community Fellows, and leaders of organizations supported by by OSI.
- Michaela Brown, Black Leaders Organizing for Change (OSI grantee)
- Ciera Daniel, Young Kings’ Leadership Academy (2018 OSI Community Fellow)
- Karlene Graham, Wellness Ally
- Rashad Hawkins, B-More Awesome Inc. (OSI grantee)
- Ralikh Hayes, Black Leaders Organizing for Change (OSI grantee)
- Jamal Jones, Baltimore Algebra Project (OSI grantee)
- Tonee Lawson, The Be. Organization
- Alphonso Mayo, Mentoring Mentors (2019 OSI Community Fellow)
- Elijah Miles, Tendea Family
- Evelia Miller, New Lens (OSI Fellow-founded organization)
- Tre Murphy, Black Leaders Organizing for Change (OSI grantee)
- Ana Rodney, MOMCares (2019 OSI Community Fellow)
- Rashad Staton, Baltimore City Public Schools
- Reuben Wynn, Youth as Resources
- Brittany Young, B360 Baltimore (2018 OSI Community Fellow)
OSI is grateful to Casey for taking on this important work and we look forward to ongoing collaboration to lift up and support young leader in Baltimore.
