YW Boston is proud to receive funding to make LeadBoston more accessible to Boston’s leaders
Boston, November 22, 2021 – YW Boston has received a grant from The TJX Companies, Inc. to support YW Boston’s inclusive leadership program, LeadBoston. This funding will expand the accessibility of LeadBoston to Boston’s leaders by providing ten full scholarships to Black and brown participants from Boston-area small businesses and nonprofits. In recognition, YW Boston has named The TJX Companies, Inc. the official 2022 LeadBoston sponsor.
LeadBoston meets organizations’ demand for more inclusive leadership by equipping mid- to senior-level professionals with the knowledge, skills, and network to propel their leadership, and their organization’s success, forward. During this unique, 11-month program, participants explore barriers to inclusion through facilitated dialogue, expert speakers, and peer learning. Since 1991, LeadBoston has competitively selected more than 1,000 individuals as LeadBoston participants. Participants are typically leaders with 15 to 30 years of experience and who have the ability to influence change within their organization and community. LeadBoston is a part of YW Boston’s DEI Services which helps individuals and organizations change their policies, practices, attitudes, and behaviors with the goal of creating more inclusive environments where women, people of color, and especially women of color can succeed.
Historically, a barrier for interested leaders from small nonprofits and small businesses, particularly those led by people of color, has been the cost of LeadBoston. YW Boston charges on a sliding scale, but relies on philanthropy to cover the true cost of the program. The actual cost of the program to YW Boston is over $12,500 annually per person. Employers support participation based on size and sector, starting with small nonprofit employers paying $2,500 for tuition.
The TJX Companies, Inc.’s grant will ensure diversity and participation from Black and brown professionals by alleviating financial barriers for both participants and YW Boston. The ten scholarships will support participants applying this fall for the year-long program running January 2022 – November 2022.
Beth Chandler, President and CEO of YW Boston said, “We are honored to welcome The TJX Companies, Inc. as the official 2022 LeadBoston sponsor. Our leadership program is strengthened by the diversity of perspectives within our cohort. The TJX Companies, Inc.’s investment in LeadBoston will help ensure that the rich experience of the program is accessible to all of Boston’s leaders, regardless of ability to pay.”
“TJX is proud to support the YW Boston’s 2022 LeadBoston program,” said Dr. Beverly Edgehill, TJX’s Senior Vice President, Organizational Development. “As longtime supporters of YW Boston, we have tremendous respect for their mission and their focus on developing diverse leaders from across the Greater Boston area. We are glad to have this opportunity to help further increase the accessibility of the LeadBoston program as part of TJX’s ongoing commitment to supporting racial justice and equity.”
LeadBoston is currently reviewing applications for the Class of 2022, which will launch in January. Learn more about the program.
About YW Boston
YWCA Boston (YW Boston) is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. As the first YWCA in the nation, YW Boston has been at the forefront of advancing equity for over 150 years. Through our DE&I Services—including InclusionBoston and LeadBoston—as well as our advocacy work and F.Y.R.E. Initiative, we help individuals and organizations change policies, practices, attitudes, and behaviors with a goal of creating more inclusive environments where women, people of color, and especially women of color can succeed.
Contact: Annie Garmey, YW Boston, 781-354-2663 agarmey@ywboston.org
About LeadBoston
Become a part of YW Boston’s LeadBoston program and join a network of over 1,000 inclusive leaders in Boston. During this 11-month program, participants explore and learn how to address barriers to inclusion through facilitated dialogue, expert speakers, and peer learning. Through experiential activities, participants delve into the social, political, and socioeconomic realities of Boston and explore innovative solutions to inequity.