By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com
Associated Black Charities (ABC) has announced the launch of The Black Leadership Circle. The thought group aims to provide a progressive, inclusive and supportive safe space for African-American nonprofit and corporate executives in the Greater Baltimore area.
Part of the motivation behind its formation is to create a pipeline for Black professionals to access leadership positions. Although The Black Leadership Circle is not a subsidiary of ABC, the racial equity organization will power the group by providing infrastructure and operational support.
“Associated Black Charities is already very unapologetically committed to breaking down barriers that present for Black people on the heels of racism,” said Chrissy Thornton, executive director of ABC and founding member of the Black Leadership Circle. “Having accomplished, powerful and committed voices behind that work and having the community see the Black Leadership Circle operate in unity and empowerment while advocating to create new opportunities for Black people is going to be a game changer.”
The concept for the Black Leadership Circle arose out of brainstorming sessions between Thornton and Robyn Murphy, CEO of JRM Consultancy. As Thornton embarked on her new role at ABC in 2023, she sought the advice of other Black leaders to support her transition. One of the strategic thought partners was Murphy.
In their conversations, the pair kept returning to the need for an initiative that would unite local Black corporate and nonprofit executives across all sectors.
“The Black Leadership Circle should exist as a brain trust. It should exist as a peer-networking organization,” said Murphy, founding member of The Black Leadership Circle. “It should have the ability and extension to reach out to other community and elected leaders who are making decisions to see how we can be of support and how we and other Black businesses can be supported.”
The Black Leadership Circle’s Advisory Council comprises local executives, like Deriece K. Harrington, government affairs director for PepsiCo; Mark Anthony Thomas, president and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee; and Shelonda Stokes, president of the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore.
Chris Simon, founder and CEO of BTST Services and co-owner of BLK Swan, will chair the council.
“The Black Leadership Circle is not just about gathering professionals, it’s about empowering Black leaders with safe spaces to navigate professional landscapes, leverage their collective voices and drive meaningful change in our community and workplaces,” said Simon in a statement.
Applications for general membership in The Black Leadership Circle will open in April.
Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member.
