In the summer of 2020, community listening sessions identified leadership development and the placement of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in leadership positions as a top priority for the Greater Rochester Health Foundation’s Racial Health Equity Strategy. From this community call to action for increased resources in leadership development, the Leadership Equity Advancement Development (LEAD) program was born. Established in December 2020 by a grant from Greater Rochester Health Foundation and in partnership with Beyond Boundaries Consulting, a women of color owned business, The LEAD program is United Way’s first-ever mentoring and coaching program exclusively for its alumni of African American and Latino Leadership Development Programs, led by Dr. Sheila Strong. The LEAD program aims to build community, capacity, and leadership opportunities for United Way’s African American and Latino/Latinx individuals through coaching, mentoring, networking, and sponsorship. Each mentee is paired with a paid mentor who is an experienced community leader with the capacity to give
constructive advice on professional and personal career goals and make meaningful, cross-sector connections. All mentees are vetted and required to identify up to four program goals they wish to accomplish with their assigned mentor. For eight months, the mentee and mentor meet routinely to determine if any adjustments need to be made to ensure continued progress on program goals. Also, mentees attend program workshops with topics including networking, leadership development, coaching, resume writing, negotiation skills, LinkedIn training, public speaking, and professional and development planning. At the end of the program, a graduation ceremony is held to celebrate the momentous achievements of the class. As individuals receive mentoring and coaching, it is our hope that the community will see an increase in BIPOC leaders in executive leadership positions and on community boards where policy decisions are made that impact our marginalized communities.
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