Nine changemakers awarded $1 million in grants to continue improving outcomes for children of color in the U.S.
The 2023 Boulder Fund recipients named today by Education Leaders of Color (EdLoC)
Today, nine innovative national leaders of color were awarded grants (over $110,000 each) to further their vital work to end disparities in education, build generational wealth, and reduce systemic barriers for children of color.
This year’s grantees will use the funds to continue working on recruitment, retention, and support for educators of color, support for youth of color including workforce development, leadership training, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and other programs aimed at breaking cycles of poverty.
“We are proud to honor these leaders of color and help them continue their bold work breaking down barriers to improve outcomes for our children of color,” said Sharhonda Bossier, EdLoC CEO. “We created the Boulder Fund because leaders of color historically have had less access to the funding and social capital they need to grow the impact of their ventures at the most critical junctures of development.”
The Boulder Fund is the annual multi-million-dollar grant program from EdLoC, a national membership-based advocacy network with the vision to foster the day when young people of color are thriving, building generational wealth, and facing fewer systemic barriers to capitalize on opportunities.
“We believe this is only possible if leaders of color are fully supported to implement their own solutions to the socio-economic challenges their communities face,” Bossier said.
Boulder Fund grants are awarded for a one-year period. Projects are chosen for their holistic and cross-sector approaches in both education and beyond. Since 2018, EdLoC has committed $5.2 million in grants and funded 38 organizations across the country.
This year’s grantees include:
Donnell Butler, Opportunity College, New York, New York
Patrice Fenton, Ella Baker Institute, Brooklyn, New York
Dominique Lee, BRICK Education Network, Newark, New Jersey
Nicole Lynn Lewis, Generation Hope, Washington, DC
Laura McGowan-Robinson, Diversity in Leadership Institute, Los Angeles, California
Saamra Mekuria-Grillo, Formation Ventures, San Antonio, Texas
Devin Morris, The Teachers’ Lounge, Inc., Roslindale, Massachusetts
Armin Salek, Youth Justice Alliance, Austin, Texas
Gabrielle Wyatt, The Highland Project, New York, New York