Lornece Tull (LeadBoston Class of 2023), nonprofit executive, spoke with YW Boston about her career, advice for young Black professionals, and her experience with LeadBoston. 

What does Black History mean to you?   

Black history means the chance to celebrate how far we have come and acknowledge all those who have paved the way for me to express myself with my head held high and be an example for my children.  

What personal or professional accomplishment are you most proud of?  

I am proud that I can raise my son with my wife in a household filled with love, being our authentic selves. Without fear of what society thinks or feels about the dynamics of our household.  

How has being Black shaped you? Has it had any influence on your accomplishments?   

Being Black has shaped the way I think and how I show up in my professional and personal life. I have learned that being Black and a woman requires you to work twice as hard to accomplish your goals.  

What advice would you give to young Black professionals who are looking to get into your field? Or, what advice would you give to your younger self?  

The advice I would give to my younger self who grew up in a housing development on public assistance and struggling to put herself through college while supporting a 1-year-old daughter: In 20 years, these experiences will greatly impact the woman you will become! That chapter in your life that you once felt so ashamed of is what drives your passion and motivation in an amazing career helping others.  

What were your reasons for joining LeadBoston and what was your biggest takeaway from the program?  

I was nominated by my former CEO to participate in LeadBoston Class of 2023. I am eager to provide a voice for those who look like me and felt like they didn’t belong in spaces of senior leadership in their workplace. My biggest takeaway from the program is that many of my colleagues I now call family! 2023 was an extremely difficult year for me in my personal and professional life and I truly would not have been able to get through it all without their sincere support and encouragement.  

About LeadBoston

Our signature leadership program, LeadBoston, supports all individual participants as they create and implement a leadership commitment. This leadership commitment is an action plan that confronts some of the systemic inequities they’ve learned about and that are showing up in their organization. This plan, and the collective LeadBoston experience, empowers leaders to create meaningful change in their workplaces, in their communities, and in the city of Boston itself. Staff work alongside alums for a year following the program to ensure participants have what they need to see their plan through. Click here to learn more.