Earlier this year, two staff members were recognized for their leadership with a grant from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. The grant supports leaders of color from organizations supported by the Foundation. Read this Q&A with Senior Client Relations Manager Malcolm Williams, LCSW-C and REI Program Manager II Adedoyin Eisape, MPH to hear more about it.

Tell us a little about the program. What inspired you to apply?

MW: The Weinberg Foundation Leadership Grants Program supports the development of leaders of color at grantee organizations. I was approached with the idea that Health Care for the Homeless should apply on my behalf. Over the past two years, I researched and found that training in Project Management would be ideal for the work I do in my current position, and mentorship and coaching can increase my skills in implementing Racial Equity and Inclusion (REI) into agency work—so this was the perfect opportunity to get both. 

AE: The program hopes to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion within the nonprofit sector, focusing on developing leaders of color. I was inspired to apply because I wanted to expand my practice further through training and build a supportive community in this field by connecting with other practitioners. 

What is your individual course of study going to look like, and what are you most looking forward to?

MW: I have been accepted into the Project Management (PM) program at UMBC for the fall semester, and this month, I start a year-long racial equity coaching and mentorship program. The mentorship program will provide a space for self reflection, confidence building, and skill enhancement in group dynamics, facilitation and coaching through a racial equity lens. I look forward to developing skills in both PM and REI areas to increase my ability to effect positive organizational change.

AE: My course also includes a mix of coaching, leadership training in facilitation and leadership, and earning a Project Management Professional (PMP) ® Certification emphasizing racial equity. I'm particularly excited about gaining actionable skills and fresh perspectives on addressing issues. Learning advanced facilitation and coaching techniques, along with liberatory design methods, will empower me to initiate equity-focused change within our organization.

How important is mentorship and leadership development when it comes to advancing racial equity in the workplace?

MW: It's extremely important. The work we do around REI is lifesaving, and we need the necessary support and skills around the work to maintain positive support for the people we work with and those who we serve. The work can be exhausting, and processing those thoughts and emotions with someone else is extremely important to prevent burnout.

AE: Mentorship and leadership development are critical for advancing racial equity in the workplace. They help develop new skills while providing the tools, collaborative opportunities, and thought partnerships necessary to rethink challenges and foster innovation. This kind of development is essential for disrupting the status quo and driving sustainable progress, leveraging external expertise and lived experiences to formulate new equity solutions.

How do you see this opportunity supporting your work here in 2024?

MW: This opportunity will assist me in my current role as Senior Client Relations Manager by giving me the tools needed to manage multiple projects, provide client and staff training, and support utilizing an REI lens to generate organizational change for those we work with and those who come through our doors in need of services.

AE: I hope this opportunity will provide me with an advanced skill set and increased capacity to lead in the REI space. It offers a new lens to view and tackle challenges, particularly by incorporating methods of restorative and anti-racist praxis into my approach. This will aid in my professional growth and amplify the impact of my work within the organization and the communities we serve

Read more about the Leadership Grants Program here. And congratulate Malcolm and Adedoyin when you see them!