Twenty Black leaders representing organizations ranging from small businesses and nonprofits to major Fortune 500 companies will gain skills to have the greatest impact while serving authentically on Orlando nonprofit boards.
Orlando, FL – The Black Boardroom Leadership Institute (BBLI) announces its inaugural 2022 leadership class featuring 20 dynamic Black leaders representing small businesses, educational organizations, nonprofits, grassroots organizations, and major Fortune 500 companies from across the Orlando region. More than 135 applications were received for the inaugural class, which began this week at Orlando City Soccer Club and runs until November 2022.
BBLI is a transformational program to help grow a talent pipeline of black leaders and drive change on nonprofit boards in the Orlando region. BBLI’s program consists of two leadership training tracks. The first, for current nonprofit executive leadership, focused on culture change, inclusion and board diversification, completes this July.
The leadership class, announced today, focuses on authentic leadership, board governance and future board placement for Black community leaders. Participants will gain foundational knowledge in board governance and opportunities to discover motivators and cultural qualities that empower them.
The BBLI Advisory Council selection committee, comprised of local community and business leaders who advocate for Black equity and advancement, reviewed the strength of applicants through an anonymous and competitive selection process, ensuring inclusivity of the program is upheld.
“We were overjoyed by the number of applicants we received,” said Nadia Carmino, founder and CEO of Alliance One and BBLI Advisory Council member.
“It proves there is an overwhelming desire from Black leaders to get involved and become empowered to represent their community through authentic board leadership.”
Nadia Carmino, founder and CEO of Alliance One and BBLI Advisory Council member
“The BBLI 2022 Leadership Class has diverse professional experience and skillsets that will lend well to the governance of future nonprofit boards,” said Glenton Gilzean Jr., president and CEO of the Central Florida Urban League and BBLI Advisory Council member.
“We are ecstatic to see the development of these Black leaders and are confident their future contributions will be long-lasting.”
Glenton Gilzean Jr., President and CEO of the Central Florida Urban League and BBLI Advisory Council member
With only 11 percent of local boards represented by Black leaders, BBLI was created through honest conversation and idea generation of committed community leaders to address the significant diversity gap amongst Orlando’s nonprofit board of directors. The first three years of the program will be offered at no cost to participants thanks to a donation from an anonymous fundholder at the Central Florida Foundation.
“Through BBLI, our goal is to empower people and nonprofits in our region to create a more inclusive culture.”
Partnership president and CEO Tim Giuliani
“Doing so will result in transformational community impact in our region and ultimately contributes to a stronger pipeline of Black leaders for our region’s businesses and nonprofits,” said Partnership president and CEO Tim Giuliani.
The 2022 BBLI Inaugural Class includes:
| Antonia Tyson | Oracle |
| Bailey N Harvey | McDonald’s Corporation |
| Birausha McLeod | Legends Academy |
| Clifton Scott | AdventHealth |
| Curtis Proctor | Barry University School of Law |
| Darryl Gordon | University of Central Florida |
| Deneice McClary | Building Impact |
| Dionna Little Jones | L3Harris Technologies |
| Erika M. Feazell | HUBB by Healthy West Orange |
| James McKnight | Ana G. Mendez University |
| John Louine | Give Kids the World |
| Kiani Sims | 26Health |
| Lakeisha Staten | Polk County Public Schools |
| Lorianne Woldehanna | Robinhood Markets |
| Meghann Sellers | Seminole State College of Florida |
| Mia Poinsette | The Poinsette Foundation |
| Roscoe Griffin | Aspire Health Partners |
| Sade Battle | Andy Frain Services |
| Sazisani Viki | Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. |
| Tamra Boone | United Against Poverty Orlando |
For more information on the BBLI program schedule, visit the Black Boardroom Leadership Institute webpage.
