My guest for this episode is Founder and Executive Director of H.U.T.C.H. (Help United Through Caring Hands), Armishia Wiley-Adams.

Armishia was raised by her grandmother and uncle after her mother died when she was eight. She became pregnant in high school and dropped out. After having two more children before the age of 22, Armishia became determined to get off government assistance. She earned her GED followed by a Bachelor's in Organizational Management with a specialization in Human Resources Management and then a Master's in Organizational Management with a specialization in Organizational Leadership.

Over her decades of working in HR and making job placements, she was keenly aware of the gaps and flaws in the system where women were consistently referred for jobs that they were unqualified to keep. Armishia's passion for helping women break out of poverty drove her to found her nonprofit H.U.T.C.H. Their mission is to teach women of all ages to become self-sufficient and workforce ready.

During this interview, Armishia and I talk about everything from referrals and assessments to job training and placement; from George Floyd and Rayshard Brooks to voter suppression and what it's like being an African-American mom in the Atlanta area, and we also talk about the pandemic's impact on programs and the board. Through it all, Armishia generously shares her triumphs and struggles of running a nonprofit all while holding down a full time job in HR.

As you know, I finished recording all the podcasts for this year months ago, and yet, each one has been released at a specific time for a specific reason. And I've been holding this interview until now because my guest holds a Vision Board Workshop every January…and I want you to consider sponsoring at least one woman to attend this because it will literally change her life.

https://yournonprofitlife.com/s2-ep-18-armishia-wiley-adams/

I'm about to introduce you to a woman who is proof positive that the mission her organization passionately pursues on a daily basis works amazingly well.

My guest, DeLashea Strawder, is the Executive Director and Artistic Director of the Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit—a creative youth development organization. In other words, Mosaic is a nonprofit organization which helps to unleash and explore the creative talents of young people all while developing leadership skills which will serve them the rest of their lives.

DeLashea first learned about the organization in middle school, and after much prodding in high school by friends and teachers, she auditioned for and was accepted to Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit and participated until she graduated. And though she never planned to return to Mosaic after graduation and heading off to college, the universe had other plans.

As you listen to DeLashea's story, you'll be inspired by her strong commitment to both her career and her family, and you might be surprised how a turn in her grandparents' health turned DeLashea's plans upside down...but her journey into discovering her purpose in life right side up.

I really appreciated DeLashea's vulnerability as she shared about the intersectionality of being a young, black, woman running an established nonprofit in Detroit and the courage she has every day to lift up other people and make sure that the conversations that need to be had are had.

You're gonna love this interview with wife and mother of four, DeLashea Strawder, the Executive and Artistic Director of Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit.

https://yournonprofitlife.com/s2ep17-delashea-strawder

In honor of the Thanksgiving holiday here in the United States, we are re-releasing an educational and inspirational interview with someone whose people lived here before the country was "discovered." Krista Beazley is now serving as the Executive Director of the Fort Apache Heritage Foundation. Hear about her journey into nonprofit leadership which began after the death of her husband. Show notes: https://yournonprofitlife.com/encore-s1e32/