Across our nation, Black women are at the forefront of innovation and social change, and especially in Detroit. They are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs, with even more playing a critical role in responding to the broader needs of the community. As Black women continue to drive critical missions forward, intersecting racial and gender inequities create a unique set of challenges to sustain their organizations and scale their social impact over time. Join us for a candid conversation with four leading Black women as we explore the tools, strategies, and mindsets that are helping them build lasting change and shift outcomes in their communities. PANELISTS DONNA MURRAY-BROWN President & CEO, Michigan Nonprofit Association Donna Murray-Brown is the president and CEO of Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA), a charitable organization dedicated to nonprofits and the communities they serve by promoting antiracism and social justice. MNA, a statewide membership organization, achieves its mission through advocacy, training, technology services and civic engagement. Murray-Brown is the driving force behind MNA’s strategic direction and operations. Before becoming president and CEO in 2013, Murray-Brown served as director of the Metro Detroit Partnership Office and senior director of capacity building at MNA where she led a successful strategic alliance program for arts and culture organizations in metro Detroit and steered the merger negotiations of four organizations to create the Belle Isle Park Conservancy. Additionally, Murray-Brown has served over 20-years in various senior management roles in the banking industry, including vice president and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) director for Charter One Bank, where she developed an executive CRA strategy. Murray-Brown is the past chair for the National Council of Nonprofits and vice chair of the Detroit Public Television Board of Trustees. In 2019, she was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to serve on Northern Michigan University’s Board of Trustees, and she joined Candid’s board in 2021. Murray-Brown earned a master’s degree in Community Development from the University of Detroit Mercy, and a BS in Business Administration from Central State University. She holds certifications in corporate community affairs from Boston College and strategic perspectives in nonprofit management from Harvard Business School. NINA HICKS Detroit Director, Center for Employment Opportunities Nina Hicks is a seasoned professional with a combined 30 years of administration, leadership, education and workforce development experience. As an educator, advocate, mentor, and social change agent, it is Nina’s desire to facilitate opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals returning home to obtain employment and meet their goals of self-sufficiency. Through her vision, she intends to use her focus and passion to shift the local community’s perception of mass incarceration and reduce the stigma and prejudices surrounding formerly incarcerated and justice-involved individuals. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in General Business from Western Michigan University, a Master’s in Arts & Teaching, a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction all from Wayne State University. DR. CHANEL HAMPTON Founder & CEO, Strategic Community Partners Dr. Chanel Hampton serves as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Strategic Community Partners (SCP). In 2015, Chanel launched SCP with a vision of pairing excellent strategy and execution with unapologetic community and cultural context. Prior to founding SCP, Chanel began her traditional career as a teacher. Moved by the need for diverse teacher talent and equitably operating organizations, Chanel began her work in administration and later joined Teach for America’s National Recruitment Team. Founding and leading diversity and equity initiatives, Chanel worked with the organization’s 52 regions as a strategic advisor. She also led additional national initiatives and partnerships, including the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference. Chanel’s lifelong passions for Detroit, justice, education, and equity drive her personally and professionally and motivate her to continue, as well as expand. MARGRIT ALLEN Detroit Executive Director, Urban Alliance Margrit is the Executive Director of The Urban Alliance where she oversees strategy, operations, partnerships and fundraising for the Detroit presence of a national youth workforce development organization. She previously served as the founding Detroit Director for the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) in 2018 where she launched and stabilized the first Michigan presence of the nation’s largest reentry workforce development organization. Margrit is a legacy Detroiter and the product of Detroit Schools; a Cass Technical High School graduate with degrees from Marygrove College and the University of Detroit Mercy possesses Six Sigma Green Belt, Career Development Facilitator, and Project Management Professional certifications. She is also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals.