This Black History Month, we explore the difficulties and obstacles faced by nonprofit organizations led by Black leaders in the Kansas City metro area. We met with five Black nonprofit leaders for a conversation centered around these challenges, with a specific focus on the ongoing struggle for adequate funding.
Wakisha Briggs is the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Bridge Leadership Academy. Wakisha served in higher education for over 20 years, spent 17 years coaching women’s athletics, and has served as president of Hickman Mills School District’s board of education. Through the Bridge Leadership Academy, Briggs has been able to serve hundreds of kids, transitioning many to college and the workforce.
As a passionate advocate for education and community, Wakisha shares her insights into the challenges faced by Black-led nonprofit organizations, particularly in the department of securing necessary funding.
“What they told us is if we went to school and got educated, that good things would come to us. This is a hard job,” she states. This contrast raises important questions about the systemic challenges that persist, despite the efforts of those committed to positive transformation. Wakisha points out the disparity between the promises of education and reality faced by those working to make a difference.
“We shouldn’t have to go in debt to do the right thing.” Being a reliable, long-standing organization depends on proper and consistent financial funding. This is essential for nonprofit leaders and acts as an example to those they serve. “We should live and breathe that as an example to the people we serve in our organization and the kids and families that we are impacting.”
Wakisha envisions a future where Black-led nonprofits can operate as reliable organizations with open doors for the communities they serve. “For my organization and other Black-led organizations, we need to make sure that we are there for generations to come. We’re advocating for change for the next generation.” Established nonprofit organizations stand as a beacon of light in communities, offering help and guidance when families and individuals are in need. “We need to be in business. Our doors need to be open. [The community] needs to know we are sustainable and consistent in this community,” she shares. But this is only possible when the organizations are properly funded to allow for longevity of services, becoming a trusting partner for community members.
Wakisha believes that to allow for continued change, we should begin with the youth. “The thing that I believe is going to change the future is empowering our youth.” When Wakisha is visiting with children, she shares that they often tell her that they feel like they have to settle in the environments they are in. “That’s the mentality that can be changed. Why aren’t our children being affirmed? Why are they carrying a load that they shouldn’t have to carry?” Her wish is for children and youth to understand that they can achieve their dreams, no matter their circumstance.
“As a woman of color and being very passionate about serving black and brown children, and all children in our community, it’s been very difficult to gain the revenue necessary to provide high-quality leadership, development life skills, and tutoring.” The gap in educational resources is a longstanding issue, and Black-led nonprofits often find themselves grappling with financial constraints that hinder their ability to create meaningful change in education.
Wakisha emphasizes that change is a gradual process that requires ongoing support. “When we talk about change, we didn’t get here overnight. We need consistent support.” This highlights the need for sustained financial backing to address the persistent issues faced by Black-led nonprofits.” She believed that being an organization focusing on education would be easy for funders to get behind. “When we first started as an organization, I thought, this is a good thing. This is great for children. Everyone should want to jump on board to really help promote and affirm the kids in our community.” But Wakisha found it was difficult to find organizations and corporations to buy into her mission. “I’m so grateful for the United Way Catalyst fund for believing in us and investing dollars into our program that directly benefit the kids and families, and the Bridge program.”
United Way is honored to support the Bridge Leadership Academy and the other 60+ BIPOC led and serving organizations that have received Nonprofit Catalyst funding through our Nonprofit Catalyst grants in partnership with the Kauffman Foundation. Through the $2 million Nonprofit Catalyst Fund, investments will be made by providing strategic grants that are tailored to the unique needs of organizations and priorities established by their leaders.Â
