Organization · Community
The Black Executive Director’s Network (BLK ED Network)
The Black Executive Director's Network (BLK ED Network) is a national membership-based community focused on addressing systemic issues faced by Black Executive Directors in the nonprofit sector. It aims to empower its members with resources to enhance their leadership roles.
Overview
What The Black Executive Director’s Network (BLK ED Network) does
What The Black Executive Director’s Network (BLK ED Network) is
The Black Executive Director's Network (BLK ED Network) is a national membership-based community focused on addressing systemic issues faced by Black Executive Directors in the nonprofit sector. It aims to empower its members with resources to enhance their leadership roles.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports community capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Community
- Structured capabilities
- Community
- Last reviewed
- April 10, 2026
Official channels
Find The Black Executive Director’s Network (BLK ED Network) elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
The Black Executive Director’s Network (BLK ED Network) as a community
Community overview
The Black Executive Director’s Network (BLK ED Network) is a nonprofit organization founded on June 9, 2021, with the mission to empower Black Executive Directors in navigating systemic challenges within the nonprofit sector. The organization is based in Baltimore, Maryland, and aims to provide access to community, capital, and equitable development growth opportunities.
Community focus
BLK ED Network focuses on addressing the racial leadership gap in the nonprofit sector by supporting Black executive directors. Their initiatives include mentorship, professional development, and community building, with a commitment to fostering inclusive leadership development. The organization is open to leaders of all backgrounds who are dedicated to strengthening communities and advancing equitable outcomes.
Member value
Members gain access to a supportive network of Black-led nonprofits and executive directors, resources to enhance their leadership capabilities, and opportunities for professional development through various programs and initiatives.
Membership
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- hybrid
- Schedule
- cohort-based
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Operators
- Benefits
- mentorship and network-access
- Program types
- community and bootcamp
- Selection criteria
- open
- Regions
- United States
Community activity
Events and activity
The BLK ED Network hosts various events aimed at supporting Black Executive Directors, including workshops and training sessions on topics such as fundraising, board development, and financial management. Specific events include regular sessions of the BLK Leadership Accelerator, focusing on various aspects of nonprofit leadership.
Notable members
Notable members include Jade Merritt (Founder and Executive Director), Anike Edmonds Coates, Kayenecha Daugherty, Joseph L. Tucker Edmonds, PhD, Dr. Tammira Lucas, Jania Massey, Krystle I. Myers, Esq., and Nico Sanders.
Common questions
What to know about The Black Executive Director’s Network (BLK ED Network)
Upseed classifies The Black Executive Director’s Network (BLK ED Network) under the Community organization type. Its current public profile includes community capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
April 10, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.