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  WINDY CITY TIMES

Affinity board president passes the torch
2012-05-23

This article shared 3763 times since Wed May 23, 2012
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Affinity Community Services (Affinity) has a new leader at the helm. Kelly Suzanne Saulsberry became Affinity's third board president at the organization's May 22nd board meeting. Ms. Saulsberry assumed the reigns from Lisa Marie Pickens, co-founder of Affinity and its board president for the last five years. Ms. Pickens will remain on the board of directors and lead The Affinity Archives Project. Affinity's founding board president, Christina Smith, stepped down in 2007 after nearly 10 years of dedicated service.

Ms. Pickens had her succession in mind when she requested that Ms. Saulsberry join the board a little over three years ago. "I knew that I had a role to play in building the organization during my tenure," said Ms. Pickens. "But that my true contribution would be in leaving a legacy of leaders that would continue to uphold the founding principles and practices of Affinity and move the vision and mission farther than even I or the other co-founders could ever imagine. And I saw that in Kelly Suzanne Saulsberry. It is my honor to pass the torch to her and the next generation of leaders at Affinity. Ashe!"

Ms. Saulsberry's grooming for the eventual presidency began in 2009 at the VIP reception for Jazz N July, an Affinity fundraiser, when Ms. Saulsberry expressed her interest to Ms. Pickens in taking more of a leadership role in the organization. Ms. Pickens and, at the time, newly hired executive director Kim L. Hunt began suggesting readings and seminars on leadership development and nonprofit management to build upon Ms. Saulsberry's natural leadership ability. Two years ago when the Affinity board voted her in as vice president, Ms. Pickens and Ms. Hunt, began having monthly leadership meetings and coaching sessions with her. The board voted her in as president-elect in 2011.

"I am honored and excited to be Affinity's next board president," said Ms. Saulsberry. This organization has provided me not only a supportive community, but mentorship, leadership development, and a space to share my skills and talents. Lisa's visionary leadership and integrity inspire me. As co-founder, board president, and my mentor, she has made a deep footprint on Affinity and has encouraged me to make mine with my own shoes."

Affinity welcomed two new board members in March 2012. Michelle "Peaches" Hunt, a volunteer with the organization for over 10 years, has been employed in the healthcare industry. Takeia Johnson is an Illinois Appellate Court staff attorney. Two individuals recently transitioned off the board after several years of service, Michele Miller and Errick Murray. We honor their work and wish them great success in their endeavors.

Affinity is a social justice organization that works with and on behalf of Black LGBTQ communities, queer youth, and allies to identify emergent needs, create safe spaces, develop leaders, and bridge communities through collective analysis and action for social justice, freedom, and human rights. Individuals are brought onto the board twice a year, in the spring and fall. For information about board recruitment and programs, visit the website at www.affinity95.org .


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