How to be an Adaptive Leader in Turbulent Times (Theo Ellington & Genevieve Leighton-Armah)

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What does it take to lead with purpose when resources are stretched, burnout is high, and the future feels uncertain? In episode #321 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Genevieve Leighton-Armah and Theo Ellington share how Black Citizen is redefining leadership development through trust-based philanthropy, flexible funding, and deep community engagement. Grounded in their lived experience and commitment to equity, they describe how their cohort model supports Black change makers with grants, coaching, and media tools to amplify impact and avoid isolation. 

"We’re not just funding ideas, we’re resourcing people to lead, rest, and rise in ways that transform entire communities."

ABOUT THEO

Theo Ellington has extensive public and private sector organizing experience. As co-founder of Black Young Democrats of SF, he successfully fought against Stop-and-Frisk and later led The Salvation Army’s efforts to double its impact on homelessness, modernize its real estate, and respond to COVID-19—generating $10M in new revenue. As a city commissioner, he helped create over 1,200 affordable housing units. At the Golden State Warriors, Theo secured approvals for a $1B arena across 14 agencies. He holds a BA in Political Science from Notre Dame de Namur University and an MA in Urban Affairs from the University of San Francisco.

ABOUT GENEVIEVE

Genevieve Leighton-Armah is a first-generation Dominican and Ghanaian changemaker working with BIPOC youth and elders in criminal justice reform, violence prevention, and advocacy. For over 12 years, she’s led nonprofit initiatives connecting young people to tech/media careers and advancing equity across Northern California. She designs trauma-informed programs for healthcare settings and launched Bay Area Black Leaders in response to George Floyd’s death, centering restorative rest and equity planning for Black leaders. She earned a BA in Criminal Justice with a minor in Ethnic Studies from San Francisco State University.

EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES

• The Four Pivots: Reimagining Justice, Reimagining Ourselves by Dr. Shawn Ginwright
• Black Citizen Cangemakers Volume 1: Continue to Rise by Theo Ellington and Gregory Collins
• Want to chat leadership 24/7?  Go to delphi.ai/pattonmcdowell
• Don’t miss our weekly Thursday Leadership Lens for the latest on nonprofit leadership
• Looking for your next leadership opportunity?  Check out our partners Armstrong McGuire

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