Pathways to Leadership program embraces all union voices

s Pomp and Circumstance played in the background, NYSUT’s first class of BIPOC Pathways to Leadership graduates capped a year of growth and achievement with a September graduation ceremony. The air rang with claps, cheers and calls of encouragement as the 12-member group bid each other farewell after months of learning about themselves, each other and their leadership styles.

“Congratulations for all you’ve done and continue to do,” said NYSUT President Melinda Person. “You are out here being a voice for our members and students and I’m excited to see what you’ll do next.”

The BIPOC Pathways to Leadership program addresses a problem within the labor movement, explained NYSUT Secretary-Treasurer J. Philippe Abraham, who leads the initiative. “Our leadership doesn’t fully represent the make-up of our membership,” said Abraham. “We’ve created programs like this one to invest in our next generation of leaders, and that future is multiracial and diverse.”

Brandon Mendoza’s involvement started with an email advertisement. After reading the pathways mission statement, the Albany Public School Teachers Association member knew it was for him.

“It spoke to what my aspirations were in terms of giving voice to people within my local who were underrepresented,” said Mendoza. “The people are the program’s greatest resource … everyone was willing to give of themselves and share their knowledge.”

Jie Zhang, United University Professions–Brockport, enjoyed connecting with like-minded peers and believes she’s found her voice, and learned to better connect with others. “It doesn’t matter what background you have … everybody is a leader and can be a leader, with or without a formal title,” said Zhang who plans to bring that message back to her campus.

To those on the fence about applying, Katrina Thomas, United Federation of Teachers, offered a simple message: do it.

“Sometimes we need to step outside of our box and look at ourselves through lenses you might never have thought about looking through,” she said. “Apply and if you don’t get accepted, keep on applying.”

Nakia Wolfe, Amityville TA president, plans to share what he’s learned with his district’s diversity, equity and inclusion program — specifically the tools for dismantling and recognizing systems of oppression.

“Instead of just being an advocate for my union, I’ve incorporated an additional focus of being of service to the broader community,” said Wolfe. “You receive a lot of support through the BIPOC leadership program … I felt that the sequence of leadership workshops you go through was very effective.”

LaShonda Bradberry, Cheektowaga Central TA, praised NYSUT leadership for ensuring that all voices are heard through programs like BIPOC Pathways to Leadership.

“I remember Philippe’s first RA and hearing the Soca and Calypso music playing and he was up there moving,” she said. “It was the first time I felt like, ‘okay, we’re here!’ It was joyful.”