FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JPMorgan Chase and the Center for Nonprofit Advancement Continue Supporting Black Women-Led Nonprofits
New Leadership Cohort Will Advance Economic Growth and Racial Equity in Wards 7 & 8
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Building on the success of the inaugural cohort, JPMorgan Chase is committing an additional $335,000 in philanthropic funding to the Center for Nonprofit Advancement to convene a new group for the Chief Executive Leaders Ascend Program (CELAP), which supports Black women nonprofit leaders in Washington, D.C.’s Wards 7 and 8. Since 2022, the firm has invested $750,000 in this capacity-building community impact work.
CELAP is designed to address longstanding funding disparities in the nonprofit ecosystem, which have had a tremendous impact on nonprofits led by people of color and, by extension, the communities they serve.
“The Center for Nonprofit Advancement (the Center) is proud to have led the first and most intentional grantmaking, capacity building, and overall wellness experience for Black women nonprofit leaders in our sector,” said Glen O’Gilvie, CEO of the Center. “Our groundbreaking partnership with JPMorgan Chase produced valuable evaluation data, positive outcomes, and attracted an investment from the Jane Bancroft Robinson Foundation. We are excited by all that we will accomplish with our second cohort.”
This second cohort of Black women nonprofit leaders will participate in a customized capacity-building program and receive $25,000 in general operating support to further strengthen their organizations’ impact.
The participants selected for the 2025 CELAP cohort include:
- Tia E. Bell: The T.R.I.G.G.E.R. Project – THE T.R.I.G.G.E.R. Project stands for “True Reasons I Grind to Get Educated and Restored.” The organization is dedicated to promoting anti-violence, gun safety, and education initiatives within underrepresented communities. Through various campaigns and programs, the initiative seeks to dismantle the normalization of gun violence in the lives of youth and families.
- Ryane B. Nickens: The TraRon Center – The TraRon Center offers mental health and healing services for individuals affected by gun violence. Its mission is to provide trauma-informed care and artistic outlets for healing, giving voice and agency to survivors.
- Wanda Lockridge: William O. Lockridge Community Foundation – The William O. Lockridge Community Foundation focuses on improving the lives of underserved communities in the Washington, D.C. area by providing scholarships, educational programs, and resources to students in need.
- Yasmine Arrington-Brooks: ScholarCHIPS, Inc. – ScholarCHIPS provides scholarships and support to children of incarcerated parents. The organization aims to reduce educational disparities and encourage higher education among youth from underrepresented groups.
- Glory Edim: Well-Read Black Girl, Inc. – Well-Read Black Girl is a literary arts organization dedicated to celebrating the achievements of Black women writers and creating spaces where their voices are heard and amplified. The organization curates book clubs, events, and other literary projects to build community.
- Ramona Barber: Fresh Wind Community Development Corporation – Fresh Wind Community Development Corporation focuses on revitalizing underserved communities through various programs, including affordable housing, economic development, and community health initiatives.
- Nakeisha Neal Jones: Black Women Thriving East of the River – Black Women Thriving East of the River is a community-based organization focused on addressing systemic inequities affecting Black women. The group provides resources related to health, financial literacy, and career development, aiming to uplift and empower women in the community.
- Nakeda Gilbert: Shining Starz, Inc. – Shining Starz, Inc. is a nonprofit organization committed to empowering youth in underserved communities. The organization provides programs centered around violence interruption, trauma support, youth outreach, afterschool programs, and career services for young adults.
“We are energized by the growth of the organizations who joined this program last year and the local impact they’re making,” said Shae Harris, JPMorgan Chase Mid-Atlantic Market Manager of Corporate Responsibility. “Through our ongoing collaboration with the Center, we’re able to lift up these women leaders who truly are the engines powering community-driven change in Wards 7 & 8.”
The inaugural cohort included leaders from the following local organizations: Children’s Legacy Theatre, Congress Heights Center for Cultural Arts, Fihankra Akoma Ntoaso (FAN-DC), Guns Down Friday, Momma’s Safe Haven, The Safe Sisters Circle, Women Involved in Reentry Efforts (The WIRE), and Women Advancing Nutrition Dietetics and Agriculture (WANDA).
Similar to the first cohort, awardees will enroll in a customized 12-month program. Following an organization assessment and a customized capacity-building plan, organizations will spend the year working toward capacity-building milestones. The Center will lead all aspects of overall program implementation, including grantmaking, board development, capacity building, organization assessments, financial management, specific training, technical assistance, coaching, and evaluation.
In addition to leadership development, the program prioritizes the health and well-being of nonprofit leaders by providing dedicated sessions focused on health, self-care, and managing a healthy work-life balance.
As part of this wellness approach, funding from the Jane Bancroft Robinson Foundation (JBRF) will provide one-on-one and group coaching sessions to help participants overcome self-limiting beliefs and process the impacts of systemic and internalized oppression on their leadership and self-worth.
“The Jane Bancroft Robinson Foundation is honored to partner with the Center for Nonprofit Advancement and JPMorgan Chase to support the Chief Executive Leadership Ascend Program,” said Lori Jackson, President & CEO, JBRF Funding. “This initiative is aligned with JBRF’s mission and core value to uplift and support Black women leaders living and serving East of the Anacostia River. We look forward to strengthening this collaboration with the addition of new stakeholders.”
“We implemented a trust-based philanthropy approach that prioritized the expertise and leadership of the women and their organizations,” said O’Gilvie. “It was fascinating to see the growth and scale the investments in capacity building and wellness were able to spark.”
About the Center for Nonprofit Advancement
The Center’s mission is to strengthen, promote, and represent nonprofit organizations, empowering them to meet the diverse, changing needs of our communities. Committed to modeling and ensuring racial equity across all sectors, we formed the Center for Race, Equity, Justice, and Inclusion in 2019 to focus on supporting and building momentum toward real change. Learn more about the ways we work with nonprofits here: nonprofitadvancement.org
JPMorgan Chase in the Greater Washington Region
From Richmond, VA to Baltimore, MD, JPMorgan Chase employs 1,500 people across all lines of business, serves 1.2 million consumer customers and 74,000 business clients across the Greater Washington region. JPMorgan Chase currently has 110 branches in the Greater Washington region, and the firm is expected to bring 30 branches to the Greater Baltimore region over the next three years.
Since 2019, the firm has committed more than $13.4 million in philanthropic capital across the Greater Baltimore region. The firm has supported the placement of more than 12,000 individuals in apprenticeships, full-time, or part-time positions. It has also supported the participation of more than 5,800 individuals in job training programs aligned with high-demand industries. To support access to financial mobility and wealth building, JPMorgan Chase has hosted more than 150 free financial health events supporting customers, community members, and employees.
About JPMorgan Chase
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading financial services firm based in the United States of America (“U.S.”), with operations worldwide. As of June 30, 2024, JPMorgan Chase had $4.1 trillion in assets and $341 billion in stockholders’ equity. The firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, and asset management. Under the J.P. Morgan and Chase brands, the firm serves millions of customers in the U.Sx. and many of the world’s most prominent corporate, institutional, and government clients globally. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.