Black Executive Director Alliance of Detroit group members.
Photo courtesy of Kim Johnson
Working in the nonprofit realm as a Black leader is not always an easy feat.
In Metro Detroit, for the last number of months, the Black Executive Director Alliance of Detroit (BEDAD) has been moving and shaking in the non-profit sector aiming to help ensure Black leaders in this humanitarian space are nurtured and developed so that the next group following in their footsteps can get a better handle in the nonprofit ecosystem in the city.
The mission of BEDAD is simple: to uplift Detroit-based African-American-led nonprofits who are working to achieve a long-term holistic impact on minority youth in Southeastern Michigan for them to thrive and become self-reliant.
BEDAD is a sought-after resource and advocate for Black nonprofit executives. BEDAD is currently comprised of nine Black nonprofit founders who lead youth development organizations. BEDAD is committed to racial equity in the nonprofit sector and works to further the interests of the Black nonprofit community.
During the Fall of 2020, these nine nonprofit leaders joined forces to create BEDAD, which Kim Johnson and Anise Hayes co-founded. The two Black women and big names in Detroit-based nonprofit organizations discussed the nonprofit ecosystem in the city and wanted to grow from there, according to Model D Media.
They are the founders of Developing K.I.D.S. and Atlantic Impact, Johnson and Hayes said that in addition to needing a “higher level of leadership development,” what is also desired is represented behind the leadership of Detroit-based nonprofits surrounded by peer mentorship.
The Black Executive Director Alliance of Detroit includes:
- Tiffany Brown, founder and executive director of Developing Despite Distance
- Reneé Fluker, founder and president of the Midnight Golf Program
- Richard Grundy, co-founder and CEO of JOURNi
- Anise Hayes, founder and executive director of Atlantic Impact
- Kiesha Jackson, founder and executive director of Caleb’s Kids
- Kim Johnson, founder, president, and CEO of Developing K.I.D.S.
- Eric Miller, founder and president of The Lawn Academy
- Courtney Smith, founder and CEO of Detroit Phoenix Center
- Nicole Wilson, executive director of The Yunion
The nine nonprofits represent youth-serving organizations, according to the article, and they are still running independently, but help support the other groups for optimal success.
Johnson told the Michigan Chronicle that BEDAD is going full steam ahead in 2022 by holding meetings every other month starting in January to give “opportunities for other Black founders of nonprofit organizations serving youth to come and network [and] talk about challenges.”
Beyond the conversations will be solutions to overcome these challenges while building a network together where Black professionals can work together and mentorship then blossoms.
“Starting a nonprofit was difficult for many of us. [We] want to be able to decrease some of those challenges for others,” Johnson said, adding that she knows from experience as a nonprofit creator herself.
Johnson started the non-profit organization Developing K.I.D.S. (which offers free, high-quality after-school programs, summer programs and development activities for Detroit youth) 15 years ago, and said that the career readiness programming serves the “whole child.”
Johnson said that in 2022, in addition to networking meetings, BEDAD will host a professional development summit for members and others looking to take the next leap in leadership.
“It is specifically for youth servant organizations, nonprofits … who are serving youth in the city of Detroit — particularly Black youth in Detroit,” Johnson said, adding that the organization’s founding purpose is to serve Black non-profit leaders serving Black youth. “We know there are a lot of individuals out there looking for this support and want this support.”
In an earlier editorial letter sent to the Michigan Chronicle, BEDAD leaders noted that they also experienced struggles on their own paths to adulthood.
“We have a comprehensive understanding of the issues faced by those we’ve been called to serve, many of whom are not that far removed from us in age. Some of us may even still be struggling with challenges, but created our nonprofit to give back from our own experience however possible,” the letter stated, adding that executive directors of color have worked in “silos” when a more holistic approach is needed. “There’s much Black Executive Directors can learn from each other to benefit our own organizations, too.”
The letter also encouraged more established nonprofits, foundations, and other sponsors to contribute to BEDAD’s work.
“Help us make the case for the value in partnering with us, and explore nontraditional, creative approaches to seed and early growth funding and development,” the letter said.
Johnson said that partnerships and funding are critical for Black professionals because too many nonprofits had to close their doors because of a lack of funding.
“It’s very difficult for nonprofit organizations to even grow to see its fifth anniversary,” she said, adding that in approaching its second anniversary, BEDAD is looking forward to growing and continuing to provide support to other Black-founded organizations in the city of Detroit going along with their mission.
“[It is] great to have continued support as we build sustainably for our organizations,” Johnson said, adding that others who also want to support BEDAD can, too, as it aims to become a one-stop-shop for networking and resourcing needs for other organizations. “Now you have a network and source to go to find them.”