Announcing the next “10 to Watch”
United Way of the Greater Triangle Names Next “10 To Watch” Nonprofit Leaders In The Triangle
United Way of the Greater Triangle announces its third cohort of “10 to Watch,” leaders selected for their proven impact within their communities and unique potential to shape the future of the Triangle. The inaugural program was launched in 2018 to address racial, gender, and resource disparities in local nonprofit leadership by empowering local communities, amplifying the voices of under-represented and under-resourced nonprofit leaders, and preparing the broader community for these leaders’ continued success.
The initiative invests more than a half million dollars over two years — $25K invested in each leader and organization per year — in ten high-impact organizations in the Greater Triangle led by Black, Latinx, and/or Woman leaders. In addition, United Way is collaborating with Leadership Triangle to offer rigorous leadership development opportunities beginning in spring 2024.
10 to Watch is made possible by generous contributions from corporate partners including Eaton, Google Fiber, F.M. Kirby Foundation, Fidelity Investments, A.J. Fletcher Foundation, and The Leon Levine Foundation.
The 2023-2025 10 to Watch Leaders are:
- Rachel Bearman – Meals on Wheels Orange County NC
- Learn more about Meals on Wheels Orange County
- Nathaniel Branscomb – 100 Black Men of Triangle East
- Learn more about 100 Black Men of Triangle East
- Tanesha Cameron-Cole – Nourish International
- Learn more about Nourish International
- Shirnetta Harrell – The No Woman, No Girl Initiative
- Learn more about the No Woman, No Girl Initiative
- Valencia Hicks-Harris – Empower All Inc.
- Learn more about Empower All Inc.
- Kristen Hopkins-Vincent – Dangers of the Mind Education Fund
- Learn more about Dangers of the Mind Education Fund
- Maya Jackson – MAAME, Inc.
- Learn more about MAAME, Inc.
- Carly Jones – Artspace, Inc.
- Learn more about Artspace, Inc.
- Sonali Ratnasinghe – General Services Foundation
- Learn more about General Services Foundation
- Ree Ree Wei – Transplanting Traditions Community Farm
- Learn more about Transplanting Traditions Community Farm
“Historically, philanthropy has predetermined what successful nonprofit leadership and organizations look like. This has led to the diversity and equity disparities that we experience today,” explains Nick Allen, United Way’s Chief Program Officer. “10 to Watch seeks to disrupt that structure by intentionally investing in the under-represented and under-resourced nonprofit leaders so that they lead the charge in redefining, for the Triangle, success in community impact and the look of transformational leadership.”
The investment in 10 to Watch is part of United Way’s broader funding strategy. Earlier this year, the organization announced plans to invest $2.51M from its Community Impact Fund in more than 58 local nonprofit organizations and collaboratives over the next fiscal year in support of its mission to invest in community-driven solutions that advance racial and economic justice. These community investments represented an 18% year-over-year increase in funding grants awarded to BIPOC-led organizations.
Previous leaders named to the 10 to Watch list include Maggie Kane (A Place at the Table), Ricky Hurtado (LatinxEd), Dr. Will Jackson (Village of Wisdom), Nora Spencer (Hope Renovations), and Joy Spencer (Equity Before Birth).