Ashley Marshall, Ph.D., MPA

Ahead of #Juneteenth2024, another great Word In Black feature about #digital literacy and access in Black communities. #Juneteenth #digitalaccess #digitalequity #BlackAmericans https://lnkd.in/ewMCX5Jv

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Preserving Black cultural heritage and spaces is a compelling project of recovering an inheritance of perseverance and creativity. By locating, maintaining, and sharing the stories of Black families and communities, we rediscover the meaning of kinship, social justice, and political innovation. In the face of a history of racism and prejudice that has undermined Black intergenerational wealth, could Black cultural heritage provide a way for us to also recognize and value Black intergenerational worth?

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Pay increases. These are one of the many pressing topics that come up during every budget season, along with job vacancies and other retention challenges. Wake County Public School System discussions over budget and strategies to resolve increasing job vacancies is a live case study. The usual response to address these issues around pay raises, is the question "What to cut?" In the case of WCPSS, the "optional funding" includes programs that promote community growth, and stripping them away may hinder social and economic mobility. "Compensation is hygiene" -A. Dignan Providing a livable wage is simply non-negotiable. Providing our basic needs- shelter, food, supervision, clothing, and education are considered human rights. Thus, if your goal is to provide the basic needs for all staff, pay increases are a logical way to do so. However, pay increases are not a way to gain someone's loyalty. Loyalty is not gained through pay, but rather through the culture of the workplace. If the workplace culture fosters independence, silos will inevitably arise. But if the culture fosters interdependence and a sense of purpose, advancement will happen collectively. To create a culture that retains employees and fosters loyalty, Sky Infiniti recommends the three C's framework to keep in mind. First, cultivate connection through growth acknowledgments, genuine appreciation, and dependability. Second, practice clear communication by being transparent about changes, promoting psychological and physical safety, and aligning with a mission-driven purpose. Lastly, ensure that leaders are coachable, provide mentorship, and express vulnerability, grace, and humility The end goal is how can a public system like WCPSS protect its $58.3 million investment. Your insurance lies in your culture. When you nourish your stakeholders inside, I guarantee that your community will flourish outside. #publicservice #wcpss #leadership #workculture #organizationalwellness #budgetcuts #payincreases #education #skyinfiniti

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"Unapologetically Leading: The Black Women's Mixtape" is more than a platform, it’s a vibe and a community where we celebrate the stories and journeys of Black women leaders. Through centering their narratives, we aim to inspire connections and uplift voices that are often overlooked or stereotypically defined. "Unapologetically Leading" amplifies Black women by giving them space to take center stage and own their narratives and how they are shown to the world. Why the play on the word mixtape? Because we hope to curate an authentic and transparent look at their experiences, perspectives, and insights, noting that each narrative will be different, similar to the diverse tracks on your favorite album/mixtape. Ultimately, "Unapologetically Leading: The Black Women's Mixtape" isn't just about sharing stories; it's about reclaiming agency, and redefining what it means to lead unapologetically as a Black woman in today's world. If you are interested in sharing your story either through writing a piece or by being interviewed fill out the form below and share it with your network 💜 EDIT: This will close tomorrow at noon. #BlackWomenLeaders #CenteringBlackVoices #RedefiningLeadership #Leadership #Storytelling

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Freedom to Learn #MicDrop Moment: Sylvia Cyrus, Executive Director of The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), shares activation tips to mobilize communities because “this is not just happening in Florida, it’s happening across the nation…if it’s not us who, if it’s not now, when?” https://lnkd.in/e8N7rsa8  #FreedomToLearn #FreedomSummer2024 

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We're back for our third design cycle of the program and cannot wait to see what Black Parents are dreaming up! What is the Lab? The Black Parent Innovation Lab is an opportunity for Black parents to experiment, iterate and hone new strategies to help their communities thrive. Over the course of 6 months through in-person and virtual learning spaces, 10 Innovation Fellows will design, test, and iterate on their ideas using a Black Liberatory Design Framework. Fellows are each granted up to $5000 to implement community-based projects. Who is eligible to apply? Eligible applicants are Black parents who are committed to Black liberation based in California. What are you looking for in an applicant? We are looking for folks who are dedicated to solving an issue in their community that they are closely connected to. We want folks to come to the lab filled with curiosity and questions; we aren't interested in perfectly crafted answers. We are inviting folks who have an openness to shift, to learn, to experiment, to grow, and evolve their ideas. No experience? Perfect! We'd love to work with you! ✨At this time, only California residents are eligible to apply. ✨ Deadline to apply is July 19th. https://lnkd.in/gP95R3az

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Path to 15|55 is a collaborative initiative, among experts from every sector, designed to grow Black businesses and their communities based on researchthat proves: if just 15% of Black-owned businesses are able to hire one more employee, the American economy could grow by $55 billion. https://lnkd.in/gH6335CT

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One of the greatest gifts the nonprofit sector has afforded me is a community of people who are just as committed to justice and liberation as I am. Join Us: Monday, June 3, 2024 at 9 AM ET FREE Virtual Event Register here: https://lnkd.in/eb5PvrJv Reimagining Nonprofit Boards Do nonprofit boards work for communities or are they extensions of American capitalism? Much has been written about nonprofit Boards of Directors and a lot of the discourse centers on outlining the board’s role in governance, best practices for board functioning, the need to leverage boards for fundraising, and how diverse boards can/should amplify the voices and solutions of impacted communities. And yet, the same issues continue to surface among nonprofit practitioners - the board doesn't reflect the community being served, emphasis on fundraising negatively impacts board commitments to diversity, the board doesn't understand the difference between governance and management, the board is disconnected from the issues we are trying to solve. What if we could imagine an alternative to the current nonprofit board's role and structure? How could things be different? Can we imagine a board not bound by the historical legal construct of current nonprofits; one too often tied to the traditional white dominant model of power and influence? Join us as we talk about what boards are like today, what we envision for boards, and some models to use for change. In this session, nonprofit leaders of all levels will learn ways to move the needle toward liberated governance that they can apply today and use to plan for the future. Presenters: Dr. Danielle R. Moss Cox and Brigid Lang, MPA, CFRE, CPC

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Our lived experiences as Black and Brown women with disabilities make us the best people to sit at tables where policies and other disability inclusion discussions are being held. Nothing about us without us, Include us! #DisabilityInclusion #Representtion #ReresentationMatters #DivasWithDisabilities   #AccessiBe #InventWithUsInMind #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs #WhenYouSeeUsIncludeUs #DisabilityAdvocacy    #DisabilityAwareness #BlackWomenWithDisabilities #RemoveTheBarriers Image Description:  A peach background graphic with a headshot of Donna R. Walton, a Black woman smiling broadly with long curly black hair wearing red lipstick and a black and white polka dot blouse. The headshot is on a grey background. Text: Take time to listen to the needs and concerns of individuals with disabilities in the Black community and be open to learning from their experiences. Donna R. Walton EdD Founder & President of Divas With Disabilities There’s the accessiBe Logo in blue font below the text.

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No matter how far we advance there will always be a system serving as a sneaky link to set us back. I often think of the forgotten population related to Black Maternal Health, the Afro-Latino women and birthing people. Health literacy is imperative in conjunction to DEI for all, especially for ESL communication. Imagine a birthing person or parent being prescribed medication for their child or themselves “once” per day but they administer it 11 times and it results in a near miss or a fatality or something worse— involvement with the Family Regulation System because a safety threat emerges related to medical neglect due to the lack of health literacy. There are so many other examples I can think of that can compromise birth and maternal health outcomes. The abuse of legislative power that continues to work against Black bodies is so unfair. First affirmative action, now this. #pushback #fightback #stoptheabuseofpower #DEImatters #healthequitymatters #healthliteracyisDEI

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As Black women assume more leadership positions across industries they are coming under attack in a variety of ways. The goalpost for success and credibility is constantly being moved backward or redefined. Therefore, the way attacks are crafted and deployed is also changing. We are ready to Clapback and Get the Facts.   #SistersLead #SistersVote @SistersLead    https://lnkd.in/eMJGY8dj

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Excellent docu series that reinforces the importance of improving literacy outcomes for our children and youth. The film ask the important question; what is happening to our youth in these schools? It also reaffirms my strong belief that Black children must be taught who they are and the richness of their ancestry. Having a strong cultural identity is a must. #Thebookshelfproject #BlackChildrenAreReaders #BlackExcellence #BlackExcellenceMatters #Woke #StayWoke #WokeMatters https://lnkd.in/ew75XqWG

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We must have tailored, focused approaches for our housing policies if this is a problem that we want decision makers to solve. The mentality that if we just build any and all housing - at any income for “all” - is not going to right the wrongs of the private market. It won’t solve racialized housing deprivation. The mentality that I don’t want “those kinds of people in my neighborhood” is not going to solve racialized housing deprivation either. Proud of the leadership of so many mission-driven organizations, local and regional leaders, and affordable housing developers who get this and put it into policies: - homeownership assistance programs with no-interest loans - anti-displacement analyses with meaningful mitigation measures in comprehensive plans, plan amendments, and infrastructure projects - density bonuses and by-right processes for affordable housing - audits and enforcement against racial steering and predatory lending

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CDCs, or Community Development Corporations, have a rich history of addressing economic and social challenges in disinvested neighborhoods. Over time, these organizations have evolved from informal grassroots groups to highly structured nonprofits, gaining better access to funding and recognition. In some locations, access to funding and recognition has become tied to these organizations’ certifying as community development corporations (CDCs). How does this benefit them? Find out in this piece from our Under the Lens series—Moving Community Development Forward: https://bit.ly/3Run2ji #CDCs #NonprofitDevelopment #SocialImpactInvesting

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Important read about the impacts of racialized violence and the aftermath. Thanks for sharing Dr. Notisha Massaquoi!

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The Bro Code Show - Wellness Episode w/ Mentees of Y M 4 C “If you could write a letter to your ten year old self, what would it say?” Wellness starts from the inside out. Allowing a space of grace while accepting accountability. Wellness in young Black males is crucial for their overall development and resilience. Mentorship provides valuable guidance, support, and positive role modeling, helping them navigate challenges, build confidence, and prioritize self-care. By fostering strong mentorship relationships, we can empower young Black males to prioritize their well-being and thrive in all aspects of life. I am super proud of C. Stuckey. Keep shining bro. Remember, Greatness is your portion! Tap into this courageous conversation and SO MANY MORE on our YouTube & Spotify platforms: YouTube: https://lnkd.in/g7tTvkDv Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gwGPmPgj #BroCodeShow #WellnessJourney #MentorshipMatters #YoungBlackMales #SelfCare #LetterToMyself #InnerWellness #Resilience #CourageousConversation #GreatnessWithin

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