Forward Promise

04/30/2025

I’ve seen firsthand how much our leaders carry. The passion. The pain. The pressure to keep pushing, even when they’re running on empty.

That’s why we’re building Ayoku Healing Retreat Center. It’s not just a retreat—it’s a commitment to our well-being. A space where leaders of color can exhale, reconnect with themselves, and be poured into. A space where they can learn valuable skills to sustain their wellness in the future. 

Healing is more than a break—it’s a strategy for our survival.

Rest is part of the work. And we all deserve that kind of care.

04/30/2025

Deep Center is a former grantee organization that disrupts the dehumanization of young people through the arts and culture in Savannah, GA.

We were able to capture the real world application of our frameworks in a short documentary film, “Deep Center: A Forward Promise Grantee on Disrupting Dehumanization” released five years ago.

Shoutout to Keith Miller, Forward Promise Fellow (Cohort 1), who is featured throughout when he served as the Director of Youth Programs at Deep Center!

Watch the rest of the documentary on the Forward Promise YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRfZznuq3Mg

04/22/2025

April is Stress Awareness Month—but for people of color, stress isn’t just personal, it’s racialized. The daily weight of discrimination, systemic injustice, and cultural erasure takes a real toll.

For racial justice leaders, that stress is doubled—they carry the pain and fight to heal it. They battle their own personal trauma while battling dehumanization to transform society for us all.

This month, we honor their strength, and we call for public systems and institutional practices that relieve harm—not reproduce it.

My hope is that Ayoku will become that safe space to honor these leaders and reduce the harm of racialized stress. We want them to reinvigorate their activist spirits in the safety of a welcoming, culturally grounded environment.

04/10/2025

We are not just intermediary funders; we are partners who are committed to understanding and responding to the unique needs and aspirations of those we support. 

This dynamic, responsive relationship is the cornerstone of our impact.

Learn more by visiting our website at themoriahgroup.com.

04/10/2025

Our former grantee, National Compadres Network (NCN), was featured in a short documentary film, “Safe and Supportive Spaces Using Culturally Responsive Healing Practices” released in 2022.

The long-lasting partnership is marked by a shared commitment to strengthening YPOC and their communities by connecting with history and culture. We’re honored to have experienced healing from Héctor Sánchez-Flores and Jerry Tello, and nourished two Forward Promise Fellows, Ariel Jimenez (Cohort 1) and Christian Jaimes (Cohort 2).

Watch the rest of the documentary at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UV05MV1Js0

03/27/2025

Through the Forward Promise Fellowship for Leaders, we cultivate safe spaces for leaders to prioritize self-care and healing. So far, we have been able to engage 3 cohorts of fellows from all walks of life across the United States.

We recognize that our fellows are driving social change while navigating the same inequities and injustices as the individuals and communities they serve. That’s why our leadership development approach is humanity-affirming first.

Discover more at forwardpromise.org/fellowship-leaders/

03/22/2025

We’re dipping into our photo archives to share TMG’s history with our village!

Within five months of becoming the National Program Office (NPO) team in January 2017, we officially launched Forward Promise’s work with a village-building event in Philadelphia 8 years ago today.

We celebrated and raised awareness of the issues of racial trauma on boys and young men of color, and the benefit of healing.

Visit forwardpromise.org to learn more about the initiative.

03/20/2025

03/07/2025

On International Women's Day, we celebrate TMG's visionary leaders, Dr. Rhonda Tsoi-A-Fatt, CEO & Founder, and Lakesha McDay, President. Their dedication to empowering young people of color and their communities serves as an inspiration to our staff and partners.

With a commitment to unearthing the roots of oppression and dismantling the systems that allow it to grow, they have tirelessly advocated for transformative change. Their leadership is characterized by a deep understanding of the challenges faced by YPOC and their communities and an unwavering resolve to create equitable opportunities.

While visiting the Ayoku Healing Retreat Center site in Murfreesboro, TN, Rhonda and Lakesha talked about their goals for TMG in a video series on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtC-4y0dgwOD0wL30TRfcvzLnrHPLHxue

02/26/2025

Since 2012, MetroMorphosis has supported the transformation of urban communities from within. Based in Baton Rouge, our former grantee partner focuses on providing opportunities for individuals to engage in the development of their own communities, bringing stakeholders together, and shifting the narrative.

Raymond A. Jetson founded MetroMorphosis and was also a Forward Promise Fellow (Cohort 1)! We're grateful to his commitment to empowering community members in Baton Rouge. Let's join Raymond in supporting a thriving community by contributing to MetroMorphosis at metromorphosis.net.

02/26/2025

Former grantee partner, The Magic of African Rhythm, has partnered with us for several events, sharing their joy and talent with our TMG family. Founded by the Shabu family, including Forward Promise Fellow (Cohort 1), Teli, the group not only performs but also leads drumming circles and workshops in their hometown of Durham, North Carolina.

You can help TMOAR continue sharing their culture by donating at tmoar.com.

02/24/2025

Founded by Keith Miller, Forward Promise Fellow (Cohort 1), it’s safe to say Healing By Any Means aligns with the mission of TMG and our initiatives in myriad ways.

Their website says it best, “We’re caregivers of families—who believe healing is everyone’s birthright.”

Consider contributing to the healing work they do at healingbyanymeans.com/.