In 2020, Mission Partners was exploring the launch of an apprenticeship program to advance leaders in the communications and PR field with a specific and public race equity action plan to invest $2.5 million in Black and women-led organizations over five years.

As we started on that journey, we discovered some troubling data: 8% of agency leadership identified as Black, while 89.8% identified as White. During the period of February to April 2020, there was also a 41% drop in the number of active Black business owners, compared to a 22% drop in business owners overall and a 14% drop in White business owners. 

That inspired us to create the Mission Partners Social Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program. This nine-month executive program is open to any Black communications agency leader with five years of business leadership. It provides executive coaching and a five-figure stipend to support their business giving back to the communities most important to them through their leadership and expertise. 

Now, as we’re nearing the end of the first year of the program, we’ve invited Ryan to share his experience and guidance as we share our collected insights to those considering a similar program. Our great thanks to Ryan for his contributions and incredible insights as we have learned together on this journey.