Announcing the First Micron Nonprofit Leaders of Color Fellows

The Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership (CPNL) at Georgetown University and the Micron Foundation are excited to introduce the inaugural participants in the Micron Nonprofit Leaders of Color Fellowship.

Joliz Cedeño, Managing Director, Code Nation
Shonali Ditz, Co-Founder & Co-Director, SparkShop
Dr. Marsha Francis, Executive Director, STE(A)M Truck
Heather Hairston, Executive Director, Girls Inc., Washington Metro Area
Dr. Calvin Mackie, Founder & CEO, STEM NOLA
Edgar Palacios, Founder, Latinx Education Collaborative & Revolución Educativa
Kathryn Procope, Executive Director, Howard University Middle School of Mathematics and Science
Briana Webster Campbell, Managing Director, No Kid Hungry Center for Best Practices

These eight nonprofit leaders were selected from a very impressive group of applicants and represent the diversity of the nonprofit sector from across the country. Over the course of the next six months, the Micron Fellows will build their personal leadership, increase their organizations’ capacity, and strengthen their networks in the sector. The goal of the fellowship program is to provide leaders of color with education, mentoring and funding that supports them to stay in the nonprofit sector and hold positions of influence within their organizations and communities.

The fellowship includes:

A full tuition scholarship to attend the Spring 2023 Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate Program at Georgetown University
Monthly meetings with an assigned mentor
Participation in a peer learning cohort
The opportunity to apply for up to $25,000 in general operating support from the Micron Foundation

Luisa Boyarski, Associate Director of CPNL, is “honored to include the experience and curiosity of these leaders in the Spring 2023 Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate cohort at Georgetown. I am so impressed by their commitment to achieving long-term impact and their desire to build a network that will help them accomplish their lofty goals.”

The Micron Foundation is excited to sponsor these leaders in their pursuit of excellence and enhancement of their knowledge. Their work to increase access and create space for Leaders of Color is an important part of increasing access to STEM education and wrap around services that our communities need to thrive.

Robert Simmons, Head of Social Impact and STEM Programs at the Micron Foundation, believes “there has been a failure to provide equitable access to funding for leaders of color. It isn’t conjecture. Research by Echoing Green and Bridgespan tell the story. But more importantly, the voices of leaders of color tell the story. Their voices speak to the challenges but also embrace the beauty of their successes. It is time move beyond DEI framing in philanthropy and the nonprofit sector…and make decisive steps towards justice. This is just one step in that effort, but I believe there is still more work to do.”

To learn more about our Fellows and to see their work throughout the program, be sure to follow us on Twitter! #Micron_Gives and @GeorgetownCPNL.

Micron Technology is a global leader in memory and storage solutions, transforming how the world uses information to enrich life for all. The Micron Foundation, our philanthropic organization, is transforming what is possible through our giving and people. We provide grants, programs, and volunteers to our communities to make social impact in STEM education and basic human needs. We also empower our team members to give through matching programs, and in 2021, over 60% of them either volunteered or donated to their communities, contributing to our total giving of $13M for the year.

The Center for Public & Nonprofit Leadership at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy is recognized globally for its academic excellence, its campus and community collaborations, and its rich work with the nonprofit field worldwide. The Center informs and strengthens not only the nonprofit sector, but also public and private entities that increasingly are its partners. Alumni of the Center demonstrate their capacity to lead, innovate and become agents of change, making a difference in their organizations and community. It is our honor to continue to pursue the mission of educating, nurturing and inspiring leaders in pursuit of the common good.