New Look, Same Village.

April 2025

In 2025, Village Nonprofit Solutions is celebrating five years.

Whether you’ve been with me from the height of the pandemic in 2020, or if you are a newcomer to the Village, I’m grateful you’re here. 

I launched Village Nonprofit Solutions (VNS) because I’m committed to “Cultivating Good” in the nonprofit sector and in the communities where we live. The environment five years ago was full of uncertainty, but even then I knew that the strength, resilience, and agency in communities of color could provide roadmaps for the difficult moments we’re in. From the Montgomery Bus Boycott to modern efforts like the Black Lives Matter movement—Village builds on this rich legacy to address the systemic barriers that persist today.

• In our first five years, we are proud of what we have accomplished with all of you:

  • $45M+ raised to support impactful work for our clients

  • 15 new development plans launched

  • 20+ clients served

  • 15 Trainings & conference presentations

  • Village Learning Community launched our pilot cohort of leaders learning and building community together

I want to shout out Woke Media for revamping our website. If you’re looking to collaborate with thoughtful, creative storytellers, I can’t recommend them enough.

Like the environment in 2020, this year we are once again experiencing unprecedented times that will have hard-hitting consequences for the communities we care about. During times like these, a myriad of feelings are warranted (and healthy) - anger, anxiety, sadness. At the same time, I’m reminded of our communities’ deep legacy of making a way out of no way. We have generated resources, provided care and support, and been on the front lines of the fight for systemic change and justice. At Village Nonprofit Solutions, we’re inspired by this history and we are hopeful for the future that our Village continues to fight for. We thank you for letting us be a small part of the important work you do.

Clients In The Media

Avenues for Justice

Last year, Avenues for Justice commemorated their momentous 45th anniversary with the creation of the documentary, “An Avenue Named Justice: 45 Years of Second Chances” which won the Best Social Justice Film at the Oniros Film Awards! The Oniros Film Awards® are an International Monthly IMDb Qualifying competition celebrating films and filmmakers from around the world. We’re proud of our preferred event producer partner, LaJoy Plans, and ABB Video for their success in telling this necessary story.

You can watch the documentary now.

Data Quality Campaign (DQC)

Are you having trouble understanding this Administration's impact on the Department of Education and what that might mean for you or your loved ones? Us, too. 

Fortunately, Data Quality Campaign (DQC) has relaunched its “The So What: What We’re Watching” blog series to help demystify the rapidly shifting reality and consequences facing students and families. Data Quality Campaign is celebrating its 20th anniversary of advocating for education data that works for everyone navigating their education and workforce journeys. 

Village Spotlight: Healing Schools Project

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), women comprise 77% of all educators. However, schools aren’t created with their needs in mind. Female teachers face disproportionately high rates of anxiety and depression, often exceeding those of male teachers and the general population. One of our newest clients, Healing Schools Project is committed to changing that by centering the mental health needs of educators. As a team of predominantly women and former educators, the team at Healing Schools Project understands that addressing women’s mental health requires improving working conditions in education, benefitting all educators. They provide affirming spaces for women to process their experiences, build supportive communities, and engage in restorative practices rooted in collective care. They also offer administrators coaching to help school leaders create environments that prioritize their team’s well-being and job satisfaction.

By addressing key predictors of mental health, Healing Schools empowers women educators of color to reclaim their well-being, build resilience, and thrive professionally.  Through their work, Healing Schools Project is transforming the teaching profession to value and sustain educators of color.

Resources & Learning

In March, we launched the Village Learning Community, a labor of love for under-resourced leaders tasked with development without the institutional support they need and deserve. This eight-week learning experience provides tools and strategies in a supportive community for participants navigating the unique challenges leaders of color experience.

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the next cohort, click below.

On The Blog

It feels like a good time to re-share these blogs posts:

What’s Bringing Us Joy

We’re sharing our recommendations on what to read, listen to, or watch to bring some joy into your week.