United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County
October 24, 2024
In 2025, Diversity Leadership Society will be celebrating its ten-year anniversary. Inaugural member Greg Marshall reflects on this donor network.
Have you ever been misrepresented based on someone’s view of you? It can be disheartening to deal with, particularly if you've been judged solely based on your skin color, background, past mistakes, or neighborhood that you grew up in. There is a misconception that these individuals can’t contribute to the communities in which they live.
United Way’s Diversity Leadership Society was established in 2015 to break down this misconception for Black and Brown individuals. The donor network consists of leaders who are working to close the gap for our community’s diverse population, ensuring every family has the opportunity to thrive. With its ten-year anniversary around the corner, inaugural member Greg Marshall of CI Design shared what Diversity Leadership Society means to him.
“The greatest satisfaction I've experienced in my career is opening doors for others. For many years, I've prioritized helping people make connections and find opportunities to improve their lives. Joining [United Way's] Diversity Leadership Society put me at the center of a community that values these efforts. My participation allows me to work with others to create a significant impact without burning out—we can achieve so much more together than I ever could alone.
Every time I'm in the room (or a virtual meeting) with my Diversity Leadership Society council members, I feel immense pride. I truly believe that when I look back on my career, initiatives like Reducing Barriers to Employment & Advancement will stand out as the most significant.”
As a donor network, Diversity Leadership Society supports our Reducing Barriers to Employment & Advancement initiative. The initiative supports programs that reduce barriers for individuals to have the opportunity to start stable careers. Through its three strategies – education, transportation, and involvement in the justice system – Reducing Barriers to Employment & Advancement’s goal is that 15,000 people will be ready to start stable careers having overcome key employment barriers by 2029.
“I’ve mentored young men trying to support themselves and their families, many of whom face significant challenges because of past felonies. One young man I worked with was wrongfully accused of a crime. Although he wanted to fight the charges, racial dynamics forced him into a plea deal, leaving him with a felony on his record. Despite facing rejection after rejection, he eventually found a career with good pay, benefits, and a pension, all because people believed in him and offered their support."
Diversity Leadership Society’s ten-year anniversary next year will begin by celebrating the Linda McFerrin African American Nonprofit Leadership Award winner. The network will continue its celebration throughout the year with additional, powerful events, including presence at Juneteenth, all while keeping its focus on closing the gaps that prevent our diverse community from thriving. Their strong relationships with agency partners help move towards that goal.
“This experience underscores why I'm grateful to help fund partners like Wisconsin Community Services, the Benedict Center, and MobiliSE. They remove barriers and create pathways for people with justice system experiences, helping them find new opportunities and rebuild their lives.”
You can be a part of this lasting change in our community. Joining Diversity Leadership Society lets you connect with dedicated individuals who work together for systemic change, build relationships, grow your network, attend special events, and more. Your involvement can help break barriers in our community that prevent families and individuals from thriving. Your voice in Diversity Leadership Society, like Greg’s, can open doors.
Pictured: Top, 2019 photo of DLS members, Greg Marshall fourth from left; Middle, Diversity Leadership Society members attending a 2023 Mix & Mingle event; Bottom, Linda McFerrin (left) with 2023 Linda McFerrin award winner Christy Brown, J.D.
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