Community Investments

Equity Leadership Initiative

The Equity Leadership Initiative intends to cultivate, mentor, and seek access for individuals who identify as Black, Hispanic or Latino, Indigenous, Asian, and multiracial from across sectors to build a pipeline of leaders of color in positions of influence in Rhode Island.

The 2023/2024 Equity Leadership Initiative cohort has been selected. This year-long program, supports existing leaders of color who are working in the public, private, or nonprofit sectors. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to racial equity and social justice.

Focusing on social justice and racial equity

The program’s goal is to inspire a deeper commitment to social justice and racial equity in Rhode Island by working with existing leaders of color on their leadership journey.

We're excited to introduce the 2023/2024 cohort of the Equity Leadership Initiative.

Learn more about the 2023/2024 cohort members

ELI Alumni

Meet the Equity Leadership Initiative alumni, and find out what they're doing now.

The Equity Leadership Initiative Alumni

ELI Steering Committee

The Steering Committee will contribute to the development of ELI, including planning and strategy; recommend experts to support ELI; recommend applicants and review applications; promote ELI and play a role in monitoring the success of the initiative.


Meet the members

Addressing the underlying causes of inequity and working to eliminate disparities is one of our core organizational values, and has been an important part of our work for years. It’s a lens that we use to make decisions about how we allocate discretionary funding and civic leadership resources. Now is the time to commit to listening more, and doing more, and to hold ourselves accountable to this focus.