RDA Strategies

On February 17, 2024, I was honored to receive the Pow(HER)ful Nonprofit Leader Award, presented by Councilmember Heather Hutt and Los Angeles City Council District 10 in recognition of nonprofit leadership and community impact.

Recognition matters, but the most important work is often done by people impacting communities without acknowledgment.

The event brought together leaders, advocates, and changemakers committed to strengthening communities in different ways. Reflections shared by Tammi Mac, award-winning radio host, actress, and community advocate, on civil rights pioneer Claudette Colvin served as a reminder that courage often begins long before recognition follows.

Likewise, the event was filled with unsung heroes contributing every day in their homes, workplaces, and communities. As Tammi Mac shared:

“Heroes don’t have to shine bright, just a little.”

The Love Hutt event, hosted in the Baldwin Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, was a celebration of self-love, empowerment, and community. Women from diverse backgrounds gathered for an afternoon centered on inspiration, wellness, and connection.

Leadership is rarely individual. Progress happens through communities that continue to show up for one another.

As Maya Angelou once said: “Try to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.”

“We have to be more humane, empathetic, and beyond charitable.” ~ will.i.am

To will.i.am’s reflection: absolutely.

On June 6 and 7, 2023, I attended the Social Innovation Summit, hosted by Landmark Ventures, which brought together leaders exploring the future of work, artificial intelligence, social impact, and economic mobility.

The conversations reinforced a growing need for continued collaboration across sectors to address increasingly complex challenges affecting communities.

One takeaway remained clear: meaningful impact requires moving beyond charitable intentions toward systems designed for long-term equity, opportunity, and belonging.

At a time of rapid change, questions about how we strengthen communities, expand access, and create lasting impact require more than isolated efforts. They call for partnership, innovation, and willingness to rethink traditional approaches.

The summit served as a reminder that social impact is strongest when empathy is paired with action and systems evolve alongside the communities they intend to support.

I have long supported the Downtown Women’s Center and deeply value its mission.

Conversations at the Social Innovation Summit, including the panel Housing Is Health: Housing as a Determinant of Health Equity & Outcomes, reinforced the important reality that health, housing, and economic stability are deeply interconnected.

We must continue challenging assumptions about people experiencing homelessness. One common misconception is that employment alone resolves housing instability. In reality, many people experiencing homelessness are employed, some working multiple jobs, while continuing to face barriers related to affordability, health, and systemic inequities.

These conversations served as a reminder that health outcomes, opportunity, and stability are shaped by multiple conditions beyond healthcare alone. Addressing disparities requires approaches grounded in dignity, evidence, and collaboration.

Furthermore, on June 14, 2023, a presentation developed with the Downtown Women’s Center for the California Behavioral Health Planning Council provided an opportunity to highlight the role of employment social enterprises and programs such as LA:RISE in supporting pathways toward stability and opportunity.

The work continues, reminding us that housing is not separate from health. It is one of the conditions shaping it.

It was a sun-soaked week on June 19, 2023, in Minneapolis, known as the “City of Lakes,” when REDF brought together more than 150 social entrepreneurs for its Partner Retreat to exchange ideas, deepen relationships, and imagine stronger futures.

One of the highlights came from Maria Kim, president and CEO of REDF, who shared the story behind her name while celebrating the social enterprise leaders in the room:

“Separately, we are rivers, but together, we’re the world’s biggest lake.”

The reflection stayed with me because sustainable change rarely happens in isolation. It grows through collective effort, shared learning, and communities willing to continue moving forward together.

The week created meaningful opportunities to exchange ideas, strengthen connections, and learn from employment social enterprises working to expand economic mobility and opportunity.

Shoutout to Team “Purple Rain” for bringing creativity and energy throughout the experience.

A particularly powerful moment was visiting the George Floyd Global Memorial, a reminder of the continued work toward racial equity, justice, and the building of communities where every person is valued.

In the spirit of Ubuntu, may we continue imagining futures where the impossible becomes possible.

What happens when families spend more time searching for information than accessing support?

That question led to the launch of Inclusive Sol in 2022, a Los Angeles-based cerebral palsy resource and community platform created to help individuals and families navigate services, strengthen connections, and access information more easily.

What began as an effort to address gaps in awareness and coordination has grown through partnerships with healthcare organizations, government agencies, Regional Centers, and community groups committed to improving access and inclusion.

Inclusive Sol has since been recognized or featured by organizations such as the Center for Cerebral Palsy at UCLA, NAPA Center, the Los Angeles Department on Disability, Abilities Expo, Regional Centers, and California Children’s Services.

The work continues with a simple belief: families should spend less time navigating fragmented systems and more time accessing support, information, and community.

On September 5, 2023, I attended the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Opportunity Youth Initiative convening to shape futures for Opportunity Youth in Los Angeles.

Conversations emphasized vision, partnership, and listening to those most affected.

One idea stayed with me:

The future is a place where anything can be different, even things that seem impossible to change today.

Change starts when communities ask new questions and decide who should shape the answers.

In December 2022, I was honored to be included on the Points of Light Inspiration Honor Roll, recognizing acts of service, civic engagement, and contributions to communities.

The recognition reminds us that lasting impact is achieved not through a single moment, but through sustained efforts: volunteering, listening, voting, building partnerships, supporting the community, and actively contributing. These actions collectively create change.

As Desmond Tutu said:

“Do your little bit of good where you are…”

Perhaps change happens when enough small acts, carried out collectively, become impossible to ignore.

During Giving Season on December 12, 2022, I attended the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Homeless Initiative Annual Convening at the Annenberg Community Beach House. Entering this new space of conversation, the previous recognition of small actions reminded me of the greater shifts possible through collective effort.

Following a discussion on narrative change, our table explored a shared reflection:

“Transformational shifts in wealth building redirect power and decision making toward communities historically excluded.”

The conversations emphasized that pursuing equity leads to justice and reinforced the importance of continually challenging assumptions as we advance dignified solutions. Key takeaway: Equity and challenging assumptions are vital for justice.

I am grateful to have connected with leaders committed to expanding pathways to housing stability and economic opportunity.

On November 10, 2022, LA:RISE held its final in-person Academy Meeting of the year, bringing together partners committed to workforce development and economic mobility across Los Angeles.

Tommie Baines’ reflections stayed with me: “Know who you are.” Remember why you are here. Find your village. Stay on mission. Celebrate. Repeat.

The gathering featured insights from Meghan Steed Garvey on employment, social enterprise, and inclusive workforce strategies.

Sustaining impact takes more than commitment; it requires community, reflection, and care. Key takeaway: Community and reflection are necessary for sustained impact.

“What makes LA:RISE so successful is the partnerships in the room,” ~ Mark Loranger

That reflection stayed with me following REDF’s October 6, 2022, workforce roundtable and site visit hosted by Chrysalis.

The discussion brought together workforce development leaders, including Natalie Palugyai, Secretary of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency; Abby Snay, Deputy Secretary for the Future of Work at the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency; and Tim Rainey, Executive Director of the California Workforce Development Board.

The workforce landscape continues evolving as organizations explore new sectors, pathways, and opportunities that expand economic mobility.

Representatives from employment social enterprises shared approaches to supporting individuals facing steep barriers to employment, including homelessness and involvement with the justice system. Their work reinforces an important point: communities are strongest when people are viewed through a strengths lens rather than defined by barriers.

These conversations served as a reminder that employment social enterprises exist because they recognize potential where others may see limitations.

Appreciation to the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity and the Economic and Workforce Development Department, City of Los Angeles, for continuing to strengthen public-private partnerships across Los Angeles.