Research shows that mentorship is critical for leadership development. It fosters professional growth, strengthens leadership skills, expands networks and support systems, and offers mentees personalized guidance for career success. Mentorship is especially impactful for leaders of color because it provides them access to influential networks, increases their visibility, and helps them navigate systemic barriers.

From November 2024 through May 2025, 37 members of the LeadingAge Leaders of Color Network participated in a mentorship workshop series designed to enhance their leadership skills, promote career development, and cultivate a supportive network within the LeadingAge community. This series, available at no cost, provided a structured platform that allowed participants to develop a relationship with a mentor and receive guidance tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities faced by leaders of color in the aging services sector.

Zinga Shaw, president and CEO of Attack the Glass, LLC, led the series. Attack the Glass “amplifies dimensions of diversity across every facet of the human experience.”

In September 2024, LeadingAge issued a call for mentors and mentees that outlined the workshop series’ goals, expectations, and time commitment. Applicants completed a series of questions about their interests, goals, time availability, and desired growth areas. These responses helped program planners match mentors and mentees in a thoughtful, personalized manner.

Following a November 2024 kickoff meeting, workshop participants engaged in four structured cohort-wide sessions and six to eight one-on-one mentor-mentee meetings. The virtual cohort-wide sessions emphasized interactive learning, open dialogue, and accountability, and provided practical tools and guidance to strengthen mentor relationships. Topics included:

• Defining the roles and responsibilities of mentors and mentees.
• Strengthening connections between mentors and mentees.
• Navigating systematic barriers in the workplace.
• Understanding how mentors can serve as advocates and champions for their mentees.
• Distinguishing between managers, mentors, and sponsors. Managers oversee work, mentors provide guidance and advice, and sponsors elevate careers by speaking up for individuals in decision-making rooms, providing high-visibility opportunities, and connecting mentees with sector gatekeepers.

Between sessions, participants received assignments that encouraged them to reflect on pivotal moments in their careers and career-defining decisions. Each mentor-mentee team also worked together to develop a specific development goal and action plan for the mentee. These plans featured measurable steps and accountability mechanisms to support the mentee’s professional development.

The Leaders of Color Network mentorship workshop series supported individual participants and fostered a sense of connection, empowerment, and leadership among them. Participants built a strong foundation for their continued development by forming relationships, gaining insights, and strengthening skills to support their growth beyond the workshop series.

Watch this video to hear participants reflect on their experiences and how this workshop series helped shape their path.