Oishei Leaders of Color Fellows
We believe that the people closest to the challenges—and the possibilities—of our community must be at the center of the solutions. The Karen Lee Spaulding Oishei Fellowship for Leaders of Color was created to invest in, connect, and champion changemakers of color across Western New York. Since launching in 2019, the Fellowship has welcomed five cohorts of leaders from a wide range of sectors and backgrounds, each bringing bold ideas and lived experience to the work of systems change.
This page offers a space to celebrate the current Advisory Council members, connect Fellows with resources, and reflect the collective power of this growing community as it continues to lead, support one another, and shape a more just and joyful region.
Resources
KLSOF Leaders of Color: Reimagining Leadership for Leaders of Color
Oishei Foundation & TMJ Consulting
Report
A brief examination of the Fellowship’s roots, evolution, and measurable impact, serving both as a celebration of its milestones and a strategic roadmap for its future.
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Dream Retreat Kickoff 6/26/25
Oishei Foundation
Meeting
Notes from kickoff of retreat, covering historical grounding, emergent themes from past reflections, power-building framework, future forward practices, call to action, real-time reflections from Zoom session.
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Leadership Transitions
Oishei Foundation
Update
Updates on recruitment for two new leadership positions at the Oishei Foundation, opportunities to share thoughts on the future of the Fellows program, and staff changes.
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Fellows Commitments
Oishei Foundation
Update
The Foundation expresses its support for Fellows as leaders of color in the nonprofit sector in light of threats to equity work and funding sources.
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New Leader Update
Oishei Foundation
Update
Introduction of Sam Hill, Fellows cohort 5, as the new Leader of People and Culture at the Oishei Foundation.