Expect the Unexpected: 5 Reasons to Apply for the RIBBA Emerging Leaders Development Program

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by Stephanie Mireku

RIBBA’s Emerging Leaders Development Program is a unique opportunity for professionals of color to invest in their leadership skills and amplify their professional trajectories toward greater success. The program encourages active and ongoing participation in discussions and projects related to topics such as personal brand, leadership style, conflict management, and managerial effectiveness. Participants have the platform to increase their overall access to resources and opportunities, enhance their capacity to lead, improve career opportunities, build significant relationships, and contribute to the fabric of leadership in their communities.

The program, currently in its second year of accepting applicants, has a reputation all on its own in part due to its remarkable outcomes, such as a 100% graduation rate, several promotions and job offers, board placements, business launches, speaking opportunities, and overall increased access to professional and personal opportunities. While it can be interesting and helpful to hear the facts, the stories make all the difference. In the words of Maya Angelou, “people will forget what you did, but they will remember how you made them feel”. We hope you feel the impact of the program by hearing the perspective from a graduate of the first cohort, Mushi Calixte, a Manager of the Community Support Team at The Providence Center, about why it would be advantageous to apply for the program. 

1. You’ll get what you contribute, but most likely you will get even more  

Mushi shared that she pursued the Emerging Leaders program in hopes to become a better leader to guide her staff and improve decision making. Her impressive outcome of attaining a promotion and increasing confidence, as well as maximizing potential and capacity to lead, balance major responsibilities and pursue additional endeavors in life such as an advanced degree, she attributes to the next level mindset and growth focused environment of the program. These were all added and unexpected advantages to participating. 

2. You will learn a lot of important truths about yourself 

Mushi shared that through this experience she learned about how giving she is, how that affects how she is perceived, and how she can best navigate that, additionally she learned that she is stronger than she ever thought she was. The program also reminded her of the important truth that she is enough, and that she can use her unique voice in leadership as a Black woman the way that works for her rather than molding to others’ preferences or expectations. In Mushi’s powerful words: “My seat is there, I just have to sit in it”. 

3. You will meet incredible people and build valuable relationships 

Mushi had a hard time narrowing down her favorite part of the cohort experience due to having such a high value and return on her time in the program, but she ultimately pointed out the essence of the program is the people, and specifically meeting everyone participating in the program who were also focused on a goal of elevating themselves as leaders of color. It was reaffirming to know that she is not alone in trying to better herself. She now has a whole new set of people that she can go to for advice, to share ideas and perspectives, and to connect with on a personal level. 

4. The conversations and experiences you have will elevate your career and life 

Mushi shared that she had previously participated in other leadership programs but what sets the RIBBA Emerging Leaders Development Program apart from others of its kind is the individual and collective impact of the experience provided by RIBBA leadership and staff envisioned and then made the program possible. All of the incredible resources, information, and opportunities shared with the interest of helping participants to grow, learn, and improve made all the difference. The support from each person who was a part of the experience made all the difference as well as the feeling of having real, relevant, and powerful conversations in the duration as opposed to the feeling of being lectured to. Mushi also wonders what could have happened had she had access to this opportunity sooner because of how impactful it has been already.

5. You get a rare opportunity to give to and invest in yourself

Mushi’s advice to future participants: “be completely open minded, put the information into practice, be hands on, and take advantage of everything that is offered, and most importantly be ready to receive” 


The Emerging Leaders Development Program prepares high-performing Asian, Black, Hispanic or Latino, Indigenous and multi-racial professionals for advancement into senior leadership and executive roles while raising their visibility as a force within their organization and community. This 7-month leadership program is designed to provide participants with the additional knowledge, skills and tools that they will need to take their career to the next level. The program includes in-residence training, assessments to aid in advancement, executive and emotional intelligence coaching, mentorship, volunteering, civic engagement, networking opportunities, and more. 

The Emerging Leaders Development Program is free for participants through funding received by the RI Department of Labor and Training and is delivered by RIBBA in partnership with the University of RI Office of Strategic Initiatives.

To learn more and apply, visit the webpage. 

RI Black Business Association Now Accepting Applications for Emerging Leaders Development Program for Diverse Leaders

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Leadership program with proven success rate is accepting applications for the 2022-2023 program; deadline August 16, 2022

Providence, RI – Wednesday, June 8, 2022 – Rhode Island Black Business Association (RIBBA), an 11-year-old non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the business opportunities and vitality of Black-owned and minority businesses and professionals in RI, is now accepting applications for its 2022-2023 Emerging Leaders Development Program.

The Emerging Leaders Development Program prepares high-performing Asian, Black, Hispanic or Latino, Indigenous and multi-racial professionals for advancement into senior leadership and executive roles while raising their visibility as a force within their organization and community. This 7-month leadership program is designed to provide participants with the additional knowledge, skills and tools that they will need to take their career to the next level. The program includes in-residence training, assessments to aid in advancement, executive and emotional intelligence coaching, mentorship, volunteering, civic engagement, networking opportunities, and more.

“Far too often talented professionals of color have ceilings placed on their growth potential in corporate environments. We are often told to ‘be patient’ or ‘wait your turn’ as we’re passed on for opportunities that we are more than qualified to flourish in. RIBBA and the Emerging Leaders Program aims to not only break through those ceilings, we aim to completely shatter them,” said Izzy Rodriguez – Assistant Director, Digital Marketing and Emerging Leaders Alumni.

The inaugural cohort took place from October 2021 through March 2022 – with all 25 participants graduating, receiving credentials, and 70% experiencing job growth. The development of this program took place over the course of two years and was accomplished through state-wide surveys, interviews, leadership program assessments, and data on the state of diversity in business.

“As a Black woman who has worked in corporate America for over two decades, I know firsthand the challenge of being the only person of color in the room and the lack of opportunity for visible projects and career advancement,” said Lisa Ranglin – Founder and CEO of RIBBA. “The Emerging Leaders Development Program is a model for what intentional leadership advancement should look like. This program is on track to change the landscape of leadership in Rhode Island by building a steady, reliable pipeline of talented and diverse leaders who are ready to close the leadership gap.” 

“I feel that RIBBA and the Emerging Leaders Program especially has really empowered me as a leader of color,” said Marjorie Dellile – Emerging Leaders Alumni and Senior Project & Program Manager at the RI Executive Office of Health and Human Services. “I’m confident that the way that you walk in won’t be the way that you leave.”

The Emerging Leaders Development Program is free for participants through funding received by the RI Department of Labor and Training and is delivered by RIBBA in partnership with the University of Rhode Island Office of Strategic Initiatives. Information on dates, timeline, and the application are now available on RIBBA’s website. For more information, questions, or to schedule an info session at your organization, please contact Amanda Roman, Director of Program Development & Operations, at amanda@ri-bba.org or call 401-383-1179.

 

 

The Rhode Island Black Business Association (RIBBA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the business opportunities and vitality of Black-owned and minority businesses and professionals in Rhode Island through access to capital, contracting, business development resources, entrepreneur training, business advocacy, meaningful investor services, and workforce development.