WHO WE ARE

OUR MISSION

Sadie Nash Leadership Project’s mission is to strengthen, empower, and equip young women and gender-expansive* youth of color as agents for change in their lives and in the world. Operating at the intersection of love and rigor, we use popular education to build community, critical consciousness, and college and career readiness among participants, who we call Nashers.

OUR VISION

Our vision is of a world that centers the experiences and leadership of young women and gender-expansive youth of color — building on their perspective, commitment, and brilliance to be a healthier, safer, and more just society for us all.

*The term “gender-expansive” came out of this report to classify youth who did not identify with traditional gender roles but were otherwise not confined to one gender narrative or experience.

OUR VALUES

WE BELIEVE IN LEADERSHIP.

WE BELIEVE IN LEADERSHIP.

We believe in Leadership. Leadership means creating the change we want to see. Young women and gender-expansive youth in our programs are empowered to thrive in all areas of their lives through their experiences at Sadie Nash–whether they are advocating for their communities as activists or preparing for their futures.

  • Leadership at Sadie Nash:

    • Is accountable, collaborative, ethical, and effective

    • Centers young women and gender-expansive youth of color as leaders

    • Aspires to transparent decision-making that incorporates input from across the community 

    • Challenges structural injustices and inequalities  personal deficiencies

WE BELIEVE IN COMMUNITY.

WE BELIEVE IN COMMUNITY.

We believe in Community. We believe in building engaged, intergenerational communities that collectively work towards liberatory change. Our community creates safe, collaborative spaces for alumni and young people.

  • Community at Sadie Nash:

    • Creates a safe space where everyone feels respected and free to be themselves

    • Encourages all members of the community to leave their comfort zone, honoring risk and dialogue

    • Requires a commitment to respectful conflict resolution though restorative practices

    • Expects thoughtful,intentional communication while honoring emotions as knowledge

    • Establishes healthy boundaries between adults and young people to sustain supportive relationships 

WE BELIEVE IN LIBERATION & SOCIAL JUSTICE.

WE BELIEVE IN LIBERATION & SOCIAL JUSTICE.

We believe in Liberation & Social Justice. We believe in an expansive understanding of justice rooted in liberatory traditions of Black Feminist thought. Our work centers justice,care, and equity, fiercely challenging systems of oppression.

  • Liberation and Social Justice at Sadie Nash:

    • Demands liberation for all people across race, gender, sexual orientation, educational background, class, nationality, immigration status, ability, and age

    • Believes in the power, potential, and impact of gender-expansive people, women, community, and siblinghood

    • Values young people because of (not in spite of) who they are and supports young people’s self-identification and self-determination

    • Asks staff members to examine and acknowledge their own power, identities and privileges

WE BELIEVE IN TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING.

WE BELIEVE IN TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING.

We believe in Transformative Learning. We believe in honoring lived experiences and that we grow by encouraging curiosity and diverse perspectives grounded in our experiences.

  • Transformative Learning at Sadie Nash:

    • Believes that learning should be challenging, experiential, relevant and fun

    • Has high expectations and critical consciousness for students and facilitators 

    • Understands that we are all “in process” and views challenges as growth opportunities 

    • Values students as experts about their own lives and encourages honest debate and disagreement

    • Exposes our students to new experiences, opportunities, and resources 

OUR GOALS

We work to create spaces where Nashers can find safety, guidance, love, and joy.

In all of our programming we strive to help Nashers:

  • ENVISION THEMSELVES AS LEADERS — BOTH TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE

  • VALUE AND SEEK OUT COMMUNITY ACTION AND INVOLVEMENT

  • UNDERSTAND AND ADVOCATE FOR THE RIGHT TO EQUALITY

  • INCREASE THEIR SELF-ESTEEM AND CONFIDENCE

OUR IMPACT

Over the last 20 years we’ve built a community 10,000 Nashers strong!

We lay a foundation so Nashers can lead lives in committed pursuit of joy and liberation for themselves and their communities.

EACH YEAR SADIE NASH LEADERSHIP PROJECT… 

IN SURVEYS OF OUR 2020-2021 PARTICIPANTS:

91%

feel confident in their leadership 

93%

better understand how to build community

92%

have learned effective strategies for self-care

94%

feel inspired to at
tend college

Our programming creates emotionally, physically, and intellectually safe educational spaces grounded in love, rigor, and perseverance — where Nashers can cultivate their consciousness, leadership, and dreams.

“Sadie Nash is about finding out who you are and what you represent. To show up and show out for your community and those you love and care for. It is about your connections in the space and community that last longer than the program. It’s a radical sisterhood.”
— Nasher