Building a Better Future: Insights from Fora’s CEO, Emma Asiedu-Akrofi
Pictured: Fora’s CEO, Emma Asiedu-Akrofi at the CSW68
As Black History Month comes to an end, we sat down with our CEO, Emma Asiedu-Akrofi, to hear her perspective and insights on building better and more successful futures for Black gender-marginalized youth. Considering the unique and often overlooked experiences of Black youth as they seek to establish themselves in their industries and make valuable connections that will support their career growth, we examined how Fora’s approach to community-building and program design work together to respond to that gap.
As Black gender-marginalized youth grapple with the complexities of racial bias and systemic barriers that can hold them back from taking opportunities they deserve, leaders like Emma recognize the role they have to play in making space for emerging Black leaders in rooms of power. Here’s what Emma had to say.
Creating More Supportive Infrastructure
“It’s not an option—we must create more supportive infrastructure,” said Emma, when asked how we can build better futures, especially for young Black leaders. She highlighted the rising backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion, citing how it’s leading to a reduction in inclusive spaces. When we suppress diversity of thought and opinion, we also diminish the capacity for creativity and innovation.
To build a truly supportive infrastructure for young Black leaders, we must first acknowledge that not everyone starts from an equal playing field. Many Black youth aren’t given access to crucial networking and mentorship opportunities that pave the way for future leadership roles. Emma emphasized how exposure is a key aspect to creating a supportive infrastructure. “If you don’t see it, oftentimes you’re not able to believe it, and you’re not able to attain it,” she said.
Emma emphasized how providing Black youth with role models, mentorship, and clear roadmaps to leadership is essential. Programs like Fora’s Rise on Boards initiative and the Global Summit offer exactly these critical elements for success. She also recognized sponsorship as another often forgotten element of success. Sponsors have the capacity to take young leaders’ names into decision-making spaces and advocate for them to get job opportunities, funding, and leadership roles. A supportive infrastructure for our youth is more than just lip service; “we need to also walk the talk,” she said.
“It's about creating opportunities, building roadmaps, and supporting them along the way,” said Emma. “With Fora, no one walks this journey alone.”
Advice for Young Black Leaders
Last year, Emma shared with us some advice she would give to young Black women aspiring to leadership positions. One year later, we asked her if she had new insights and advice to share with young Black leaders. Here are her top pieces of advice:
1. You don’t have to have all the answers.
“You don’t have to have all the answers from the onset. It’s something I preach all the time. I did not have the answers in terms of where I was going and how I was going to get there, but what I did do was advocate for myself. I spoke up, I asked questions, I learned from others who had walked that journey before me.”
2. Your net worth is your network.
“I always say that your net worth is your network. And I don’t mean that in financial terms–I’m talking about the value a broader network can bring. The variety of perspectives and advice that can really inform the trajectory of your career and your life.”
3. Trust who you are.
“Get to know yourself. What are you good at? What are your interests? What are your values? Really do that introspective work to understand who you are and what you want to achieve in life. I know it’s hard—and this might be a little controversial—but sometimes what you’re good at doesn’t always align with where you will end up in your career, and that’s okay.”
“Ask the questions. Connect with people. Learn from their journeys. Learn from their mistakes. I don’t think you can go wrong by doing that.”
Necessary Elements for Success
For organizations looking to better include and advance the career trajectory of young Black leaders, Emma emphasized how access is the cornerstone of success. Assessing hiring practices, addressing unconscious bias, and truly ensuring equitable opportunities are crucial components to this work.
“At Fora, and through our programs, this is something we seek to do intentionally,” said Emma. “We refuse to set anyone up for failure, and we know we cannot do it all by ourselves.” Youth are the future, so no matter their industry, we must ensure that they’re adequately set up to succeed.
Investing in Young Leaders Looks Like:
Access
Mentorship
Professional Development
Exposure
Emma also highlighted the vital importance of fostering environments where Black youth can show up as their whole selves, bringing their lived experiences and diverse perspectives to the table without fear of repercussions.
“There are so many elements that will accelerate the future of young Black leaders. But these are a few key components that we must always consider,” said Emma.
The Role of Self-Determination
The theme for Black History Month this year is, “I and I, I wanna rule my destiny,” which emphasizes the need for self-determination in order for us to imagine and then build better futures.
Self-determination is particularly significant for Black women and Black gender-marginalized youth who often have to exist in spaces that weren’t designed for them. We asked Emma what self-determination means and looks like for her.
“For me, self-determination means being able to operate authentically in these spaces and being accepted for who I am—my cultural nuances, my perspectives, my lived experiences,” said Emma.
“How I choose to represent myself should be seen as equally important and just as valued as anyone else sitting at the table.”
“I want to lead authentically, have my voice heard, and be respected just as much as my counterparts,” said Emma.
Looking to the Future
Even in seeing and acknowledging the current state of the world, we know that hope is a critical element of building better futures. When asked what makes her hopeful, Emma smiled, expressing a deep sense of gratitude and pride for the young Black leaders she has the opportunity to engage with through the work we do at Fora.
“I know some pretty incredible you Black leaders. Witnessing their courage and work they’re doing inspires me every day.”
“I see all of us and how far we’ve come,” said Emma. “I know those of my generation and older want to—as we climb—pull others along with us. We recognize, as Black women in particular, how important it is to create a way for the next generation. And I see that being done by so many Black leaders that I’m excited for the journey.”
This intergenerational dialogue and support is an integral part of investing in Black Futures. “We need to recognize and know that we don’t have all the answers just because we’re older. That’s where we can continue to grow. A lot of the decisions and rationales that we have moving forward should be informed by the generations that are coming after us.”
As we close out Black History Month and reflect on how to integrate Black Futurity in our day-to-day, we are reminded that true advancement of gender equity requires racial equity, which can only come about through action. Through mentorship, sponsorship, and investment in young leaders, we can build a future where Black gender-marginalized youth are given the opportunities and access to drive innovation and sustainable social change.
To learn more about Emma Asiedu-Akrofi, check out our previous blog post here. You can always reach out: emma.akrofi@foranetwork.org.