Trish Adobea Tchume: Championing Leadership and Racial Justice at the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation
Trish Adobea Tchume is a pioneering figure in social justice advocacy, leadership development, and racial equity. As the Senior Director of Leadership Research & Practice at the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation in Brooklyn, New York, she is at the forefront of creating innovative strategies that challenge societal norms and empower marginalized communities. Her extensive experience in nonprofit leadership and commitment to racial justice make her a remarkable role model for change-makers worldwide.
In this article, we explore the life, education, and career of Trish Adobea Tchume, highlighting her influential role at the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation and her contributions to the broader social justice and nonprofit sectors.
Early Life and Education of Trish Adobea Tchume
Trish Tchume was born to Ghanaian immigrant parents, and as a first-generation Ghanaian-American, she experienced the challenges of balancing two cultures from an early age. This experience played a pivotal role in shaping her values and dedication to social change, particularly in the areas of racial justice and leadership development.
She earned her Master’s in Education, which further deepened her understanding of how leadership frameworks can be transformed to foster more inclusive and equitable communities. In addition, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science from Saint Joseph’s University. Trish’s academic background, combined with her cultural experiences, provides her with a unique perspective that she uses to fuel her work in the nonprofit sector.
Career and Leadership at the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation
Since joining the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, Trish Adobea Tchume has been a driving force behind its leadership development initiatives. She currently serves as the Senior Director of Leadership Research & Practice, a role she has held since September 2022. Her primary responsibility in this role is to create and implement frameworks, tools, and processes that align the foundation’s grant-making, capacity-building efforts, and research with its core values of trust, equity, and innovation.
At the heart of her work is a commitment to continuous learning. Trish ensures that there is a feedback loop between the foundation, its grantees, and the broader leadership development field. This iterative learning process enhances leadership practices not only for the foundation but also for its partners and the communities they serve. By fostering a culture of learning and trust, Trish helps to shape the foundation’s overall impact in the nonprofit sector.
Key Contributions and Impact at the Foundation
Trish’s role extends beyond the design and execution of leadership frameworks. As the Sterling Network Organizer and Director of Liberatory Leadership Practice, she directly supports the Sterling Network in New York City. This role involves building a culture of racial equity and justice within the network, a community of organizations and individuals committed to fostering a more racially just and vibrant city. Under her leadership, the Sterling Network works collaboratively to support and uplift communities of color and provide them with the tools needed to navigate systemic inequities.
Her work at the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation is informed by her extensive experience in the nonprofit sector. Over the years, Trish has developed an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by social justice organizations, and she uses this insight to help them build internal capacities and thrive in challenging environments.
Previous Experience and Roles
Before joining the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, Trish Adobea Tchume had an illustrious career in various leadership roles within the nonprofit sector. She served as the Executive Director of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN), a national organization that develops the leadership skills of young professionals in the nonprofit sector. During her tenure, Trish led a transformational shift within the organization, increasing its reach and impact significantly. Under her guidance, YNPN grew from 27 to 42 chapters, and its organizational budget skyrocketed from under $100,000 to nearly $500,000. She also established the organization’s first-ever individual donor base and expanded its funding partners.
Trish’s time as the Director of Civic Engagement at the Building Movement Project further solidified her reputation as a champion for racial and social justice. The Building Movement Project focuses on promoting social change by encouraging nonprofit organizations to engage in social justice work. Trish helped develop leadership programs for people of color within the organization, ensuring that women and people of color had the necessary support to thrive in leadership positions.
She also served as the Network Coordinator for “Within Our Lifetime: A Network to End Racism,” a movement focused on racial healing and dismantling systemic racism. In this capacity, she played a key role in facilitating collaboration between organizations working toward racial equity, advocating for policy change, and providing practical tools for healing and transformation.
Trish Adobea Tchume’s Approach to Leadership
One of the key elements that sets Trish Adobea Tchume apart from others in the field of social justice and leadership development is her unique approach to leadership. She emphasizes the importance of “Liberatory Leadership,” which centers on building inclusive and equitable structures within organizations. This approach is based on the idea that leadership should be empowering, participatory, and rooted in principles of social justice. Trish’s work supports the development of leadership models that not only address existing inequalities but also actively work to dismantle them.
Trish is also a firm believer in the power of networks to foster change. She has worked with numerous organizations across the country to strengthen their internal structures and build robust networks of leaders who can support one another in their efforts to create social change. Her experience as a network coordinator for various organizations has shaped her understanding of how collective action can be used to address systemic issues.
Published Work and Thought Leadership
Trish Adobea Tchume’s expertise is also reflected in her published work. She is the co-author of “Calling In and Up: A Leadership Pedagogy for Women of Color Organizers,” a book that provides a framework for leadership development specifically for women of color. This work offers valuable insights into how women of color can be empowered to take on leadership roles within their communities and organizations.
In addition to her book, Trish has been published in several influential publications, including the Huffington Post, Stanford Social Innovation Review, and the Nonprofit Quarterly. Her articles focus on topics ranging from leadership development and nonprofit management to racial justice and equity.
Conclusion: A Vision for the Future
Trish Adobea Tchume’s career is a testament to her unwavering commitment to social justice, leadership development, and racial equity. As the Senior Director of Leadership Research & Practice at the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, she continues to shape the future of leadership in the nonprofit sector. Through her work, Trish is creating lasting change by empowering individuals and organizations to embrace equitable leadership practices that foster a more just and inclusive society.
Her career journey has been marked by transformative leadership, and her ongoing contributions will no doubt continue to inspire future generations of social justice advocates. As she continues to challenge the status quo and advocate for a more inclusive world, Trish Adobea Tchume remains a powerful voice in the fight for racial justice and equity.
