We cultivate. We nurture. We uplift.
We grow.

Mission


To empower Black Executive Directors as they navigate the systemic challenges in the nonprofit sector by providing access to the community, capital, and equitable development growth opportunities.

vision


Narrow the racial leadership gap, ultimately driving inclusion, diversity, and solution-based models to eliminate cultural biases, reshaping the philanthropic landscape.

LAUNCH


On June 9, 2021, we introduced BLK ED Network to the philanthropic community. The first convening took place on July 14, 2021, & July 28, 2021, in partnership with Maryland Nonprofits. In the Fall of 2021, we launched our official programming establishing the first chapter of BLK ED Network in Baltimore, MD. Our goal is to expand beyond Baltimore nationally in the next two years, targeting cities where data shows significant numbers of Black-led nonprofits.

  • COMMUNITY

    The nonprofit sector has historically served marginalized communities and communities of color who have been disproportionately affected by a system that was never designed to include them. Many United States nonprofits are led by individuals, institutions, and foundations that do not represent their beneficiaries.

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  • CAPITAL

    Organizations led by people of color receive less funding than majority white-led organizations, according to a new study published in May 2020 by Bridgespan and Echoing Green, “Racial Equity in Philanthropy: Closing the Fund Gap.”

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  • CULTIVATION

    Throughout time, black professionals have racially fought power dynamics in both nonprofit and for-profit spaces. Many have been overlooked and undervalued not because of their skills and expertise but only because of their skin color.

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Meet jade
MerritT

meet the founder

“We all have a seat at the table, but are the portion sizes on our plates equal?”