Dear supporters,
It feels like a lifetime since I last updated you all about a year ago. So much has happened, and with everything going on in the world, I often feel the pull to self-silence, minimize, and talk myself out of updating you all.
And also, I know sometimes I must take my own advice 😅 and push beyond the comfort zone, as you all deserve to know what has grown and blossomed (beyond at least my imagination!) from your all's contributions to our crowdfunding campaign in 2021!
Since launching our inaugural cohort of the Leadership Accelerator in the fall of 2021:
- we have run 6 cohorts of the Leadership Accelerator for 51 WOC and nonbinary POC leaders across industries and stages of career;
- our graduates have gone on to land prestigious fellowships (White House, Harvard, Stanford), paid speaking engagements, and promotions and raises;
- folks have described the program, cohort, and community as "a lifeline," the only place they've ever received "honest, real feedback," "a safe space to be vulnerable to learn, share, and grow with other like minded women.
In 2023, the Accelerator won an Anthem Award, which honors best-in-class examples of purpose- and mission-driven impact work worldwide 🌍
The impact of the program has been undeniable:
- 92% of graduates report decreased stress or overwhelm because of the program
- 92% felt more motivated about at least one aspect of their work because of the Accelerator
- 80% strengthened boundaries and reclaimed time in their lives
- 76% made valuable connections
- 74% increased visibility in their careers, workplaces, or industries
- 67% were able to better prioritize their time and focus on priorities as opposed to "putting out fires"
- 54% increased their earnings
And you know how extra powerful these stats are, given the structural barriers our cohort members face.
And to think, this is all because you all were an integral part of the launch of this transformative program!!🚀
In order to maintain accessibility to this leadership certification program, we have funded 26 scholarships. Embrace Change has self-funded over $30k in scholarships and we are ever grateful for ongoing donors' contributions to the Scholarship Fund!
How to stay involved:
- We are now recruiting for our 7th cohort in the fall, for Established and Executive Leaders (more info here). If you know of folks who'd be a good fit for the program or cohort, please nominate them HERE and we'll reach out!
- As an added thank you, we do $100 cash referral bonuses for folks who refer applicants who are then admitted and enroll in the cohort, as long as the applicant specifies the referrer's name when they apply! *That's $100 per enrollee 🤑
- Share about the Accelerator on your listservs, Slacks, social media, email lists, communities, friend groups. Feel free to tag us (IG, LI, TT) so we can amplify as well!
- Contribute to, and share the link to, the Scholarship Fund.
- As we all continue to feel the pinch of corporate price gouging, inflation, housing costs, student loan debt, and economic uncertainty, as a group, no one is feeling this more than WOCs, nonbinary POCs, who are heading up their households and supporting multiple family units. That's exactly who this Accelerator serves.
- All contributions make a difference and you can rest easy that this program now has the receipts to demonstrate its impact in real, hard numbers.
I'll post some photos in the main crowdfunding page in a moment (since I can't attach photos here), and once again, please accept my deepest gratitude, appreciation, and thanks for you taking a flyer on the idea of the Accelerator 2 years ago.
It's been the longest-shortest time and we are already solidifying its legacy 🥹
Thank you for continuing to be a part of this journey 🙏
In solidarity,
Cynthia