PROGRAM LADDER

The unemployment rate among black and Hispanic college graduates is 12.4% and 5%, respectively, compared to 3.6% among whites. Blacks and Hispanics represented only 11% and 7% of STEM workforce in 2011, respectively. Seventy-three percent of African American executives who reported having informal mentors at work had faster salary and total compensation growth than those without an informal mentor.

Considering these statistics, KFL created Project Ladder with the following objectives:

Develop strategic partnerships with America’s corporations to support their corporate diversity programs and cultivate a talent pool from underserved minority communities to meet the demand for a skilled workforce.

• Provide opportunities for youth from at-risk communities to learn and experience STEM-related fields, stimulate their interest in STEM-related subjects, and encourage them to believe in their ability to succeed in STEM careers.
• Increase the employment of minority college graduates in their chosen fields of study.
• Establish a mentoring network of minority mentors in companies to support the career advancement of new minority entrants into the STEM field.

Since Project Ladder launched in 2017, KFL has enrolled 15 students into the program through our partnership with the Northeast STEM Starter Academy of Mt. Vernon, NY and the Eagle Academy for Young Men in NY/NJ. Of the students enrolled, five had completed their paid internship at institutions, including, The Wildlife Conservatory, Mt. Sinai Hospital, and North Central Bronx Hospital.

 Capacity Building for Nonprofit Organizations

Starting and sustaining a nonprofit organization can be challenging, especially during its early stages of development. Growing pains often arise as these organizations work to establish a clear mission, build a strong team, and secure funding. To address these challenges, KFL provides pro bono consultation that includes a range of services designed to help startup nonprofits navigate the complexities of growth. This includes guiding board development, strategic planning, fundraising, community engagement, and management practices. By focusing on these essential areas, the Program equips nonprofits with the tools and knowledge they need to build a solid foundation and scale their impact.

Effective board development and strategic planning are critical for ensuring nonprofits can articulate their mission and operate efficiently. Many emerging organizations struggle to recruit board members with diverse skills, resources, and networks. The Program helps them establish governance structures and strategic plans that align with their goals, setting the stage for sustainable growth. Additionally, fundraising support helps organizations diversify their revenue streams and develop long-term strategies for financial stability. At the same time, community engagement initiatives ensure that they build lasting relationships with stakeholders, volunteers, and beneficiaries.

The importance of such a program cannot be overstated, as it directly addresses the gaps that often lead to the failure of new nonprofits. By offering comprehensive support in these areas, the Program empowers organizations to make a greater impact in their communities.

Since the launch of this program, KFL has offered consultation to the following organizations:

• The Paige Fraser Foundation
• The Leslin Foundation
• Healthy Living World

Barbershop Library Initiative

Partnering with barbershops in low-income minority communities to create libraries for young boys is driven by the understanding that barbershops are not just grooming spaces but also cultural hubs where mentorship and community bonds flourish. The vision is to transform these familiar, welcoming spaces into mini-libraries encouraging reading and learning, providing young boys with books that reflect their experiences, inspire their imaginations, and promote literacy. This initiative aims to cultivate a love of reading, improve literacy skills, and foster a sense of curiosity and self-worth. The expected outcomes include higher reading proficiency, greater academic confidence, and the development of lifelong learning habits. This initiative is important because it addresses educational disparities by making reading accessible in a non-traditional setting, creating an environment where young boys can learn and grow under the guidance of trusted community figures. 

In 2021, with a donation from the Kappa Omicron Quette Bookclub, KFL purchased children’s books with African American themes for the Westchester Barber Academy barbershop in Mt. Vernon, New York, to establish the first KFL barbershop library.

Health Navigation Initiative

 Underserved populations often face significant barriers when navigating the complex health and social service systems. Language differences, lack of transportation, limited health literacy, and unfamiliarity with available resources can prevent individuals from accessing the care and support they need. For many, the process of finding the right services can be overwhelming and discouraging, leading to missed appointments, untreated health conditions, and increased vulnerability. These challenges are especially pronounced in the New York City metropolitan area, where the fast-paced environment and diverse demographics can make it difficult for underserved communities to find consistent, coordinated care.

To address these systemic issues, the Health Navigation Initiative was developed. This initiative deploys healthcare professionals, community outreach workers, and social workers who work directly with individuals to assess their needs, navigate the system, access appropriate health and social services and coordinate their care. The Program emphasizes a holistic approach, where our volunteered navigators provide personalized support, ensuring that individuals receive the right care at the right time. By reducing the barriers to accessing services, the Health Navigation Initiative aims to improve health outcomes, increase the use of preventive care, and foster greater trust between communities and service providers across the New York City metropolitan area.

KFL recognizes the limitation of the Program due to the enormous gap between available resources and the ever-increasing demand. Therefore, KFL is seeking to partner with technology companies to identify solutions to bridge the gap by seamlessly combining technology with human intervention to meet the need of our target population better.

Auntie Anita’s Living Room

Auntie Anita’s Living Room is an entrepreneurship and career coaching designed for women of color by a woman of color, Anita Lee. Despite representing a growing segment of the workforce, women of color remain underrepresented in business ownership and leadership positions. According to recent studies, only about 18% of businesses in the U.S. are owned by women, and even fewer—about 4%—are owned by women of color. Additionally, women of color face significant barriers to career advancement, with fewer than 1 in 5 women of color occupying managerial or executive roles. These statistics highlight the systemic obstacles that make it difficult for women of color to thrive as entrepreneurs and professionals.

Women of color often encounter unique challenges, such as limited access to funding, networks, and mentorship, alongside implicit bias, discrimination, and the pressures of balancing multiple roles. They also face the complexities of navigating spaces where they may not see themselves represented. These barriers can stifle entrepreneurial ambitions and limit career progression, leaving immense talent untapped.

Auntie Anita’s Living Room seeks to change this by offering a holistic, supportive environment that centers on personal connection and empowerment. We believe in the power of sisterhood and community, where participants can share experiences, build on their inner resilience, and tap into their strengths. The Program fosters an informal and personal approach through one-on-one and group coaching, encouraging participants to bond over shared challenges and successes.

Program Services Include:

• Company Formation: Guidance on business registration, legal structures, and compliance requirements.
• Business Plan Development: Personalized support in developing a comprehensive and strategic business plan.
• Budgeting: Assistance in creating financial plans that align with long-term business goals.
• SWOT Analysis: Conduct a thorough analysis of each business concept to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
• Career Coaching: For those looking to advance in their careers, we offer tailored coaching to build leadership skills, improve workplace navigation, and achieve career goals.

Our Program is designed to be a transformative experience that empowers women of color to build their businesses and careers, create meaningful connections, and develop the confidence to overcome systemic barriers. By investing in their growth, we are investing in a future where women of color lead, innovate, and inspire.