Equity in Board Representation Graduation & Networking Celebration!

Equity in Board Representation: Celebration and Networking Event

Join NICNE and Martesha Brown, MBA of MB Strategic Solutions to celebrate nearly forty diverse community members who have completed the six-week Equity in Board (EIB) Representation certification program!

Date: Thursday, April 16

Time: 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Location: NICNE at NIU Rockford (8500 E State St, Rockford, IL 61108)

Details: Keynote speaker Martesha Brown of MB Strategic Solutions and Pamela Clark Reidenbach, CEO of NICNE, will recognize EIB program graduates. Following the award ceremony, program graduates and area nonprofit organizations will enjoy a networking event. Refreshments will be provided. Please dress in business casual attire.

Event Schedule:

• Board Connections Fair: 4:00 p.m. (for current and past graduates only)
• Social Hour: 5:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
• Graduation Ceremony: 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
• Networking and Photos: 6:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Ticket Types:

• Program Graduates (past and present) - Choose this ticket type if you are completing the program or graduated from the program in 2023 or 20224.
• General Admission - Choose this ticket type if you are the guest of a graduate, nonprofit representative, or member of the public.

Please email questions to Billie Callahan at [email protected]

Program Purpose: While diversity on boards is at the forefront of many nonprofit organizations, ensuring equity and empowering minority board members is essential to move from inclusion to belonging.

With a focus on equipping diverse community members, with an emphasis on members of black and brown communities, with the skills needed to serve on nonprofit boards of directors, this program removes barriers and provide opportunities for newer board members or individuals seeking to join a board now or in the future.

The program is also committed to advancing equity within local nonprofit boards. Nonprofit boards are at their strongest when diversity, belonging and inclusion are prevalent goals. True diversity allows for authentic feedback and representation of communities served.

This program is presented in partnership by NICNE and Martesha Brown, MBA and is made possible with funding from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) secured by State Representative Maurice West.

About Martesha Brown, MBA: Martesha is a Rockford native and MBA Graduate of Rockford University with a passion for economic development, strategic planning, marketing, and community engagement. She is the Market President for the Greater Rockford and Belvidere areas for Midland States Bank, with prior leadership roles in economic development, public relations, marketing, and operations for the RACVB, Rockford Park District, and Alpine Bank.

Martesha has volunteered on a variety of boards and committees including Goodwill of Northern Illinois, Think Big, Transform Rockford, Habitat for Humanity, Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, Chairman's Bridge Committee, State of Illinois Governor Pritzker's Capital Development Board, State of Illinois Association of Park Districts, Rebounding Rockford's Covid Recovery committee, RAVE, Leadership Rockford, Coalition of Latino Leaders, and the NAACP. In April of 2021, Martesha was officially elected as the First Black Woman to serve on the Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners in its 112-year history and now sits as the President of the board.

She has been recognized and awarded as one of Rockford's “Forty Under 40”, a Rockford Register Star “people you should know,” is a recipient of the “25 Black Leaders to Watch” by Soul News Network and Inspiring 815, one of Channel 13's 13 Heroes, a Juneteenth Helping Hand Recipient, a YWCA Woman of achievement winner, a 2021 Rockford Chamber of Commerce Community Hero, and was named one of the 2022 Northwest Quarterly's 25 Most Interesting People.

Martesha is a member of NICNE's Professional Services Team, partnering to support nonprofit organizations across the Rockford region. Her business, MB Strategic Solutions, focuses on sharing skills and knowledge developed over her professional career in areas of strategic planning, board development, coaching, leadership development, project management, public relations, engagement planning, goal execution, and operational efficiency.

The Equity in Board (EIB) Representation program is presented by NICNE in partnership with Martesha Brown of MB2 Strategic Solutions.

This program is offered following NICNE’s:

• 2026 Equity in Board Representation Program presented in partnership with NICNE and Martesha Brown, MBA of MB Strategic Solutions, held in February and March 2026, which empowered 40 individuals with board leadership skills, matching them to nonprofit board appointments for causes which they were passionate about, and celebrating their accomplishments while connecting them to area nonprofit organizations. Presented with support from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) with funding secured by State Representative Maurice West.
• 2024 Equity in Board Representation Program presented in partnership with NICNE and Martesha Brown, MBA of MB Strategic Solutions, held in April of 2024, which empowered 40 individuals with board leadership skills, matched them to nonprofit board appointments for causes which they were passionate about, and celebrated their accomplishments while connecting them to area nonprofit organizations. Presented with support from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois and community partners.
• Inaugural Equity in Board Representation Certificate Program and Graduation Ceremony and Networking Reception with Martesha Brown, MBA of MB Strategic Solutions, held in April of 2023, which empowered 30 individuals with board leadership skills, matched them to nonprofit board appointments for causes which they were passionate about, and celebrated their accomplishments while connecting them to area nonprofit organizations. Presented with support from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois and community partners.
• Building Racial Equity and Belonging into Your Board Culture program held in May 2022 and September 2022 facilitated by Dr. Adrienne Coleman and Traci Ellis, JD of Candid Conversations Matter, LLC, which was attended by nearly 100 nonprofit leaders and staff from 50 area organizations;

• DEI Training for Nonprofits series held February through May in 2021, facilitated by Dr. Adrienne Coleman and Traci Ellis, JD of Candid Conversations Matter, LLC, which was attended by nearly 500 leaders and staff from area organizations and watched by more than 3,250 people. Find NICNE’s DEI and Cultural Competency for Nonprofits YouTube playlist here.

About NICNE: The Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence (NICNE) works to promote, model and grow innovation, excellence and social impact. NICNE has been providing capacity building, training, technical assistance and resource support to nonprofit organizations within our region since August 2004. NICNE is the region's primary resource for nonprofit management and leadership development, with a primary focus on organizations in Winnebago and Boone Counties. NICNE strengthens nonprofits and encourages collaboration resulting in a strong, vibrant nonprofit sector critical to a healthy community.

NICNE is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and an affiliate of Northern Illinois University, Division of Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development. Learn more at our website, www.niu.edu/nicne/. In 2023 NICNE served nearly 100 member organizations and 3,500 leaders and staff representing more than 330 organizations hailing from 28 regional counties and beyond. We are YOUR center for nonprofit excellence!

Info: Program graduates and attendees can connect with area organizations to learn more about opportunities to serve on their boards of directors. The board connection fair will take place in the NICNE CollabLab and social hour will take place in the adjoining Atrium. Light refreshments will be provided.

Info: Join Martesha Brown and Pamela Clark Reidenbach to recognize and celebrate program graduates in the Auditorium.

Info: Gather in the Atrium for additional networking and photo opportunities, and to congratulate the program graduates.

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