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