Black Nonprofit Leaders Symposium:Planning on Purpose: Navigating Career Trajectory & Capacity
This year’s convening is designed to support the growth, sustainability, and leadership journeys of Black nonprofit professionals across South Carolina. Through engaging presentations, peer connection, and meaningful dialogue, attendees will explore how to strengthen their leadership capacity, build visibility, navigate career advancement, and prioritize wellness while leading impactful work. From emerging professionals to executive leadership, this symposium creates space for learning, collaboration, and community among Black nonprofit leaders statewide.
- Explore the capacity to lead: Chelsea Johnson, LISW-CP, Girl Get Up Society
- Establish a career plan: Charles Weathers, The Weathers Group
- Make your personal brand visible: Roshanda Pratt, The REP Network
Participants can look forward to:
- Networking and relationship-building with nonprofit leaders from across the state
- Interactive community-building activities and facilitated discussions
- Presentations on leadership capacity, career trajectory, and professional visibility
- The 2026 Joyce Ford Award Presentation
If you’re ready to invest in your leadership journey while connecting with peers who understand the unique experiences of Black nonprofit leadership, we encourage you to join us. There’s a seat for you at the table — whether you’re leading programs, shaping strategy, raising resources, or building community impact every day.
We look forward to seeing you in Columbia for an inspiring day of growth, connection, and purpose-driven leadership.
Hear from our speakers:
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Explore the capacity to lead: Chelsea Johnson, LISW-CP, Girl Get Up Society
-
Establish a career plan: Charles Weathers, The Weathers Group
-
Make your personal brand visible: Roshanda Pratt, The REP Network
Attendees (44)
Kahlia Aposhian
Director of Patient Services
Welvista, Inc.
Elise Ashby
Executive Director
RobinHood Group
Angelica Barrett
Executive Director
The Children's Council
Alyson Berry
Executive Administrator Manager
The Hive Community Circle
Monique Bing
Peer Support Manager
The Hive Community Circle
Xavier Blake
Executive Director
One Columbia for Arts and Culture
Latoyia Brown
Finance Associate
Central Carolina Community Foundation
Norma Brown
CEO/Founder
Lynn Brown Inspires Young CEOs and Leaders of Tomorrow
John Browne
Executive Director
Vital Connections of the Midlands, Inc.
Trimease Carter
Director of Community Investment
Central Carolina Community Foundation
Gwen Chambers
Executive Director
BlacQuity
Crystal Denise Davis
Director of Parenting Programs
Charleston County First Steps
Tiffany Downs
Chief Operations Officer
Ron Howell Foundation
Nicole Echols (CEO)
Chief Executive Officer
South Carolina Cancer Alliance
Roxanne Forsythe
Executive Director
Driving Change
Jessica Gaines
Community Outreach Advocate Manager
Welvista, Inc.
Terrence Gambrell
Outreach and Prevention Specialist
Joseph H Neal Health Collaborative
Taylor Goodwin
COO
Limitless Community Development
LaShauna Harrison
Chief Executive Officer
United Way of Oconee County
Marc Himes
Director of Community Engagement
SC Center for Fathers and Families
Brittney Holman
President
Fairytales Not So Fairy
Tiffany Johnson
Community Resilience Coordinator
The United Way of the Midlands
Ivan Larrymore
College and Career Readiness Manager
United Way of the Midlands
Maurice Lawyer
Executive Director
The Legacy Foundation of SC
De'Anna Lofton
Dianne's Call
Stephanie R. McGuire
Co-Founder
Good and Well Institute
Richard Moses
N/A
N/A
La Ruchala Murphy
Executive Director
Sumter County Gallery of Art
Tiffany Neal
Executive Administrative Assistant
Joseph H Neal Health Collaborative
Wanda Pearson
Regional Philanthropy Officer
American Red Cross - South Carolina Region
Jessica Primus
Community Engagement & Outreach Professional
Not applicable
Monty Robertson
Executive Director
Alliance for a Healthier South Carolina
Tanya Rodriguez-Hodges
Founder/Director
Limitless Community Development
Rachelle Roland
Secretary
Fairytales Not So Fairy
Tiara Salaam
Philanthropy Officer
Coastal Community Foundation of SC
Antonio Sales
Resource Development Officer
United Way of the Midlands
Ashley Shearin
Operations-Prevention Director
Pillars4Hope
Sheila Squire
Community Engagement Director
South Carolina Cancer Alliance
Najmah Thomas
Associate Professor
USCB - Department of Public Health & Human Services
Brenda Thorpe
Senior Community Engagement Director
South Carolina Cancer Alliance
Kinnethia Tolson
Community Education & Partnerships Manager
The Hive Community Circle
Tyron Wilson
Community Engagement Director
South Carolina Cancer Alliance
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