By Aisha Nyandoro, founding CEO of Springboard to Opportunities, TIME100 Next Honoree, and Rockwood Trainer.
As Rockwood Leadership Institute celebrates its 25th anniversary, I find myself reflecting on the profound impact this community has had on me both professionally and personally. When I completed the Art of Leadership in 2017, it was the first time I truly realized that leadership could be a practice centered on one’s whole being — one’s heart, values, and lived experiences. I’ve always been encouraged by this community to bring my entire self to the work, including the many trainings my son has attended!
It was during a visioning exercise at Rockwood that I first called into being what would become the Magnolia Mother’s Trust, the first guaranteed income initiative in the United States to focus exclusively on Black women living in extreme poverty, providing them with direct cash payments and the dignity of choice. Before that moment, I had been too afraid to name what I was dreaming; but I knew deep in my spirit that my vision was to give money directly to Black women. That exercise gave me the courage and clarity to articulate this dream out loud for the first time. The Magnolia Mother’s Trust is now the longest-running guaranteed income program in the country, and more needed than ever, given the current dismantling of our social safety net — and it all started at Rockwood, where the space I was given allowed me to transform an unspoken hope into an audacious reality.
What fills me with pride today is how Rockwood continues to meet the challenges of the current moment by nurturing leaders who are resilient, grounded, and deeply committed to justice across movements. Rockwood has also been instrumental in building the power of those who have too often been pushed to the margins — particularly Black women. The intersectionality I experience within this community reminds me that our struggles and hopes are interconnected. Rockwood has provided me with a vital community beyond my daily work, a space where I can witness and contribute to the broader movement for social change. My experience has shown me that the work of leading movements is not about ego, but about community and embodiment. Since my first training, I have consistently returned to this place of reflection, recentering my leadership practice to ensure I remain grounded in purpose rather than positional power.
Looking ahead to the 25th anniversary celebration, I am filled with excitement and gratitude. Being in community with fellow alumni and trainers — to share stories, learn from one another, and honor our collective journey — is a gift I deeply cherish. Rockwood has taught us all to lead with our whole selves, to build bridges across movements, and to remember that leadership is ultimately about purpose, vision, and connection.
Please join me on October 15 in New York to celebrate 25 years of powerful change. I am honored to celebrate this milestone with a community that continues to inspire and transform and look forward to seeing you there!
With love and gratitude,
Aisha
