Dear COSEBOC Friends and Family:
I hope you’ve had a wonderful summer and the new school year is off to a great start. I am writing on behalf of the Board of Directors with several important updates about the leadership of COSEBOC.
We shared with you in April that after 16 years as the Founder and Executive Director of COSEBOC, Ron Walker would soon be stepping down from his role in order to begin a new chapter. September 30 will be Ron’s last day at the helm of this great organization, but in the short-term, he will continue to serve behind the scenes as an advisor. As always, we are incredibly grateful to Ron for his vision, his passion, and the remarkable legacy he has created. We look forward to celebrating Ron at gratitude events in Boston and Philadelphia next month.
We also extend tremendous thanks to Liz Murray, who has contributed greatly to COSEBOC, most recently as Director of Operations and Partnerships. Liz’s tenure in that role also will conclude on September 30, as she prepares for a new role with the Center for Restorative Justice. We wish her the very best!
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am delighted to announce that two individuals with strong ties to the organization have agreed to serve as our Leadership Team for the months ahead: Dr. Sandra Spooner and Brenda Artwell. Sandra served for six years as Director of Operations before retiring in June of 2022. Brenda returned to COSEBOC this summer as the part-time Director of Operations, having previously worked as our Director of Professional Development. Together, these two outstanding educators will co-lead the day-to-day operations of COSEBOC beginning October 1.
The Board is moving forward with our efforts to chart a successful future for COSEBOC. Our Succession Planning Committee has been meeting with a variety of institutions across the country that have expressed interest in serving as the home of COSEBOC in the years ahead. Potential partners will receive a Request for Information (RFI) packet, through which interested organizations will articulate their vision for sustaining COSEBOC’s mission and growing the organization. We will continue to keep you informed about our progress as these conversations continue this fall.
Thank you again for being part of the COSEBOC family and for your deep commitment to the advancement of boys and young men of color.
Sincerely,
Olga Acosta Price, Ph.D.
Chair, COSEBOC Board of Directors