ABFE’s 2008-2009 Class
Announcing ABFE’s 2008-2009 Class of Connecting Leaders Fellows
ABFE is proud to announce its selection for the 2008-2009 class of its Connecting Leaders Fellowship Program. Eleven outstanding individuals representing philanthropic organizations across the nation were selected as emerging leaders to participate in ABFE’s signature leadership development program. The year-long experience is designed to sharpen the skills and strengthen the leadership capacity of foundation staff, donors, and trustees who are committed to assisting Black communities through philanthropy.
“Truly, our fellows represent the future of philanthropy, and we are very proud that they have selected ABFE to guide their professional development,” offered ABFE Board Chair, Dwayne Proctor. “This fellowship program exemplifies our commitment to advance philanthropy in support of Black communities.”
The incoming class of Fellows is a talented group of leaders who have demonstrated through their work in philanthropy a commitment to Black communities. The 2008-2009 Class of ABFE Connecting Leaders Fellows are as follows:
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| Ingrid Benedict | Nicole Campbell | Denise Davis | Charles Evans |
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| Charles S. Fields | Sylvester Jones | LaTida Lester | Marcus Littles |
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| Yvonne Moore | Daniel Shoy | Johngerlyn Young |
- Ingrid Benedict, Program Officer, Fulfilling the Dream Fund of Public Interests Projects
- Nicole Campbell, Vice President, Deutsche Bank of Americas Foundation
- Denise Davis, Program Officer, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
- Charles Evans, Senior Program Officer, DC Children & Youth Investment Trust Corporation
- Charles S. Fields, Program Officer, Marguerite Casey Foundation
- Sylvester Jones, Program Officer, Ruth Mott Foundation
- LaTida Lester, Senior Program Officer, St. Luke’s Foundation
- Marcus Littles, Chief Executive, Founder and Principal, Frontline Solutions
- Yvonne Moore, Executive Director, Daphne Foundation
- Daniel Shoy, Program Officer, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation
- Johngerlyn Young, Donor Services Director, Grand Rapids Community Foundation
We welcome the 2008-2009 Class of Connecting Leaders Fellows!
The ABFE Connecting Leaders Fellowship Program is a yearlong experience designed to sharpen the skills and strengthen the leadership capacity of foundation staff, donors, and trustees who are committed to assisting Black communities through philanthropy. Approximately ten fellows will have the opportunity to learn from seasoned grantmakers on a regular basis, understand how to be more effective change agents within their institutions, and participate in a network that focuses on innovative solutions to community challenges. Each fellow will be assigned a leadership coach and mentor as part of the program. In addition, each fellow will be required to develop a plan to work with an organization that is serving Black communities in his or her home environment and to engage in a specific project during the fellowship period to help this organization develop its capacity.