BIPOC Men in the Nonprofit Industry

Please join YNPN Chicago for a continuation of our Creating Spaces Initiative!

In this next session, we are excited to focus on BIPOC men and their leadership in nonprofit leadership roles. We will highlight some of the challenges BIPOC men face in nonprofit careers. Join us for our second Creating Space Initiative (CSI) event of 2022 and come prepared for networking and great learning. While this topic is focused on BIPOC men, the event is open to all BIPOC professionals regardless of sex and gender.  

We will be joined by the following nonprofit leaders:

Derrick Fleming - Managing Director of Strategic Engagement, Chicago Scholars

Joey Mak - Executive Director, Chicago:Blend

Yusef Garcia - Chief External Affairs Officer, Forefront 

Anthony Bolden - Director of Programs, Chicago Debates

About Derrick:

When you think of style and class; organization and structure; education and empowerment; equity and advocacy, Derrick Marcell Fleming, Jr., also known as “Derrick The Gent”, is the man to make it happen. As a former White House Staff Member under the Obama Administration, now currently serving as the Managing Director of Strategic Engagement for Chicago Scholars, a social entrepreneur (The JUST BE campaign.) and serving in other national and local community/education leadership capacities – Derrick leads with a heart to serve and a passion for youth, collective impact, and systems change. Derrick brings electrifying energy to any atmosphere. With over 10 years of experience in the nonprofit and government sectors focusing on education, social impact, youth development, and mentorship; 8+ years of project management, coaching, and training experience; and 6+ years of program and people management experience.; Derrick brings a level of problem-solving skills that sets everyone at ease and makes solutions-focused work feel like fun.

About Joey:

As Chicago:Blend’s first Executive Director, Joey Mak leads the organization’s mission to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in Chicago’s venture capital ecosystem. He has more than 15 years of experience working in community and economic development, most recently as the Vice President of Programs at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. Joey serves on the board of directors for the Chinese Mutual Aid Association and, in 2019, was included on the “Notable LGBTQ Executives” list by Crain’s Chicago Business. The son of Cambodian refugees, Joey is a proud resident of Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood. 

About Yusef:

For close to 15 years, Yusef has been committed to helping build a more vibrant region through philanthropy and social impact. His personal mission is to transfer power – one relationship at a time. As Forefront’s Chief External Affairs Officer, Yusef and his team activate Forefront stakeholders to challenge traditionally harmful hierarchies and power dynamics--whether geographic or sectoral—resulting in meaningful collaboration, scaled impact, and thriving communities across Illinois. Prior to joining Forefront, Yusef led institutional fundraising and engagement strategies for organizations focused on public media, arts & culture, and human services. Yusef actively volunteers as a Board Member of AFC (AIDS Foundation of Chicago) as well as Chicago Latinos in Philanthropy.

In addition to his passion for systems change, building relationships, and influencing social change, Yusef is a trained chef, having graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. Yusef is a native of Chicago, amateur photographer, and lover of House Music. He and his husband live in the Uptown neighborhood with their dog and cat.

About Anthony:

Anthony serves as Director of Programs for Chicago Debates. He is responsible for managing

all aspects of the organization's programming portfolio, ensuring its mission is executed with

equity and excellence. With a passion for professional development and mentorship, he is

uniquely skilled in fostering collaborative environments where individuals/teams, specifically

emerging professionals, maximize their gifts and experience professional growth. Prior to joining

Chicago Debates, he served as Program Manager for the Partnership to Educate and Advance

Kids and Associate Pastor for the Oakwood University Church. Anthony received a Bachelor of

Arts in Music and Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies with a concentration in Community

Development from Oakwood University (HBCU), and a Graduate Certification in Nonprofit

Management from North Park University. He is a Chicago Urban League IMPACT Leadership

Development Fellow at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a Forefront

Educational Equity Fellow. Anthony is a highly sought after speaker and professional

development coach for emerging professionals and the host of The Embolden Podcast. Anthony

resides in Des Plaines, IL with his wife Lauren Bolden MS, CCC-SLP.

The intended audience for Creating Space Initiative events are people of color.