The Praxis Project board of directors announced today that Makani Themba will transition from her role as founding executive director by the end of this year. The transition signals a new phase in Praxis’ evolution as a leading grassroots movement institution in support of organizing and change work on the local, regional and national level.
GCI Director Teresa Córdova serves as the president of the board of directors for The Praxis Project, which recently announced that founding executive director Makani Themba would be stepping down before the end of the year. The mission of The Praxis Project is to build healthy communities by changing power relationships between people of color and the institutional structures that affect their lives.
The Praxis Project board of directors announced today that Makani Themba will transition from her role as founding executive director by the end of this year. The transition signals a new phase in Praxis’ evolution as a leading grassroots movement institution in support of organizing and change work on the local, regional and national level.
“We are extraordinarily grateful for Makani and her energetic dedication to Praxis and its mission,” said Teresa Córdova, Ph.D., president of the Praxis board of directors and director of the University of Illinois at Chicago Great Cities Institute. “Her visionary leadership has positioned Praxis to provide a unique level of guidance and support to community organizations, agencies and activists committed to building healthier communities.”
From its beginning, Praxis has endorsed the concept of leadership change as a natural part of any organization’s healthy growth and development. A network of partners, grantees and community organizations nationwide utilize and enrich Praxis’ technical support and capacity building expertise.
“By partnering with our stakeholders in the process of embracing fresh perspectives and new skill sets, this leadership shift offers the opportunity for Praxis to model a smooth, effective leadership transition,” said Ms. Themba. “I am confident that making space for a new generation of leadership will help ensure that the work of Praxis and its partners remains creative, innovative and effective.”
Ms. Themba and the Praxis board of directors are currently exploring opportunities for her to continue her relationship with Praxis, including a senior fellowship post.
In collaboration with the board of directors, a transition team is in place to conduct a national search for the next Praxis executive director. The goal is to complete the leadership search and transition process by the end of 2015.
The following board members and transition team members will be participating in this process:
Board of Directors
- Dileep Bal, M.D., MPH
- Ajamu Baraka, Ph.D. (Vice Chair)
- JoAnn K. Chase, J.D. (Treasurer)
- Teresa Córdova, Ph.D. (Chair)
- Estevan Flores, Ph.D.
- Janet Louise Perkins
- Frank J. Omowale Satterwhite, Ph.D.
- Lawrence Wallack, Dr.Ph.
Transition Team
- Ajamu Baraka, Ph.D. (Chair)
- Sylvia Castillo (Deputy Director, Praxis)
- Estevan Flores, Ph.D.
- Marian Urquilla (Strategic Consultant and Coach)
Praxis invites partners, grantee networks and supportive organizations to participate in this leadership transition process. Praxis will share more information about opportunities for engagement in the weeks and months ahead.
For additional information, please contact Sylvia Castillo at sylvia@thepraxisproject.org.
