Celebrating the start of its fourth year, the LeadingAge Leaders of Color (LoC) Network continues to expand, both in the number of active member participants and programming depth and breadth. Mentorship—critical to developing essential skills and maximizing relationship-building opportunities—is the LoC Network’s latest area of focus. 

A new mentorship series begins with a workshop led by diversity, equity, and inclusion pioneer and mentoring expert Nzinga Shaw on Saturday, October 26, at the 2024 LeadingAge Annual Meeting in Nashville. The series, which features hands-on, participatory learning through the creation of mentor-mentee pairs and relationship building, is free to all LeadingAge provider members who belong to the LoC Network. The kick-off is followed by three additional sessions with Shaw—two virtual and a final in-person session at the April LeadingAge Leadership Summit in Washington, DC. Attendance at the Saturday, October 26 session is NOT mandatory for mentorship series participation. Mentor and mentee participants will complete the experience having gained valuable resources, education, and tools. 

Prior to the inaugural session on October 26, program participants will be matched in mentor/mentee pairs so those interested in participating must complete this mandatory survey by September 16  to help us learn more about you and ensure the best possible mentor-mentee matches.

At the Saturday event, mentorship series leader Shaw will share information on the ‘how’ of creating and maintaining a positive mentor/mentee relationship and the expectation that paired mentor/mentees schedule monthly calls throughout the series to achieve maximum benefit.

Want to learn more about the Leaders of Color Network? Created in 2021, this professional networking group for senior, mid-level, and emerging leaders of color and allies employed by LeadingAge member organizations is designed to support and facilitate career advancement in the field of aging services. 

Explore more events–including a coffee chat and reception—sponsored by the Leaders of Color Network during the Annual Meeting 2024. Please contact Amma Addo (aaddo@leadingage.org) for more information.