Winter 2014

A Message from the President

"In diversity there is beauty and there is strength."

- Dr. Maya Angelou

As the African American Board Leadership Institute (AABLI) approaches its third year anniversary, our commitment to diversity is stronger than ever. Our quality signature programs, workshops, and seminars reflect that commitment: they attract outstanding African American professionals who take seriously their roles as leaders, contributors, and problem solvers. Our member organizations, another powerful example of our dedication to diversity, seek to level the playing field in our nation's rapidly changing demographic landscape.

Our winter newsletter showcases AABLI's significant accomplishments to date. Going forward, AABLI will continue its work to foster diversity on governing boards and to monitor how it can be more effective, efficient, and responsive. We intend to remain on the cutting edge in the creation and development of African American leaders for the next century.

As we move into this holiday season, please consider a generous tax-deductible donation as an affirmation of our mission and in support of our programs. Our annual campaign is currently underway.

We come to our third anniversary grateful for the steadfast support of our individual contributors and our corporate and foundation funders. AABLI's Board of Directors and its volunteers, all of whom give so unselfishly to our work, deserve our applause and thanks as well.

On behalf of the AABLI staff, we look forward to 2015 with a renewed commitment to AABLI's mission.

Happy Holidays,

Yvette Chappell-Ingram

President & CEO

#GIVINGTUESDAY - December 2, 2014

Battle of the Alumni... On November 1, AABLI launched its first annual Alumni Throwdown! The "Throwdown" is a friendly competition between the AABLI alumni classes. The objective? To see which class can raise the most money before December 31!

By contributing to the "Throwdown," you will support the AABLI leadership in planning for AABLI's future growth and impact. You can make your monetary pledge today, on #GIVINGTUESDAY!

Simply click here.

Register Now for the Next Board Leadership Program

Register Early and Save!

Click here to register and complete the online application.

Recap: AABLI's Recent Workshops

and Fall 2014 Board Leadership Program

"Pathways to Corporate Boards"

September

Many professionals think about serving on corporate boards, but it's no simple matter to get elected to one. During our September workshop, experienced corporate board leaders provided excellent insights. Panelists included Reveta Bowers, head of school at The Center for Early Education; Gilbert T. Ray, retired Partner at O'Melveny & Myers LLP; and Dr. Larry Taylor, an independent professional corporate director. The panel moderator was Janet Clayton, senior vice president of corporate communications for Southern California Edison.

"Advancing Your Mission Through Social Media: What's Under the Hood of an Effective Social Media Strategy?"

AABLI Board Member Vincent Jones, CEO and chief strategist of Reinvent Communications, used real life examples in his November workshop, providing actionable tips to help participants clearly understand what is needed "under the hood" to make social media strategies work at optimum speed.

Board Leadership Program

October 10 & 11, 2014

Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles

Class # 5 - Fall 2014

Placements


Brent Page Public policy and urban affairs specialist, Adecco Government Services was elected to serve on the board of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA).	Alex Lawrence Assistant dean of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid, UCLA Anderson School of Management, was appointed by the Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., to the State Bar of California Examining Committee.


Thyonne Gordon, Ph.D. Founder of Beyond Story, was appointed by the Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., to the California Naturopathic Medicine Committee.	Bonnie Boswell Hamilton CEO of Bluegate, LLC, and the executive producer of 'THE POWERBROKER: Whitney Young's Fight for Civil Rights,' was elected to serve on the board of Facing History and Ourselves.


Craig Keys Associate senior vice president at USC, was appointed as a trustee of Antioch University Los Angeles and recently joined the board of the Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA.	Our 50th Placement! Joe Ellick Global project consultant at Chevron Corporation, was elected to the board of Airport Marina Counseling Service (AMCS).

Spotlights

Member Organization Spotlight

ICEF Public Schools, where ICEF stands for Inner City Education Foundation, operates 12 schools educating over 4,000 students in grades K through 12. ICEF was the first charter school management organizations in Los Angeles and has become a leader in raising to competitive levels the achievement of African-Americans in the state of California. Their goal is that each scholar is fit not only to attend, compete, and graduate from a top college or university, but also to effect change as leaders within the communities they will live and serve.

Board Member Spotlight

On Sunday, November 2, 2014, ESPN LA's LaFern Cusack, producer and host of "The Experience," interviewed Virgil Roberts, attorney and AABLI board chair, about developing community leaders and governing boards.

Click here to listen to the interview.

Staff News

Welcome Victoire "Vickie" Prothro!

You may have noticed a new face at AABLI. We are very pleased to announce that Victoire "Vickie" Prothro officially joined us as program associate on December 1, 2014. Vickie will provide support in the day-to-day functions of the organization and in programmatic areas. She is also responsible for developing strategies to promote growth through online communications.

Vickie recently worked as a consultant with local nonprofit organizations. Prior to her nonprofit work, she was community affairs manager as well as associate producer for a Los Angeles area talk show which gave community representatives an opportunity to discuss local and national issues.

Vickie loves spending quality time with her family. She also delights in traveling and the peace of being outdoors at beautiful yet challenging golf courses, here and abroad. She enjoys meeting new people and simply having fun with her family and golf friends.

We are happy to welcome her to our team!

Organizational Opportunities

The Center for Nonprofit Management (CNM) is the premier management development source for So. Cal's non-profit community. CNM researches, aggregates and distributes best practices and applies these strategies through education, training and consulting. By providing assistance in a variety of areas, CNM supports thousands of organizations as they meet the needs of their communities.

CNM's mission is to foster thriving communities in Southern California by ensuring that nonprofit leaders and organizations have the knowledge, skills, and resources to fulfill their mission.

We believe CNM provides many opportunities for organizations to thrive with continuous education & training. Southern California's most respected nonprofit professionals lead affordable seminars designed to share knowledge, build leadership skills and provide tools and techniques that help YOU respond effectively to the needs of the community and the demand for accountability.

Click here to learn more and see upcoming training seminars.

Recommended Reading

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