Interim Executive Director

Interim Executive Director | Illinois Black Advocacy Initiative

Website: https://www.ilblackadvocacy.org/

WHO WE ARE

IBAI advocates for equity, opportunity, and justice for Black Illinoisans by expanding the capacity and power of Black-community–focused organizations, building a strong statewide constituency, and advancing public policy and education. IBAI convenes a statewide network of grassroots, base-building organizations that represent communities in the Chicago Metro region, and Central and Southern Illinois. We serve as the connective tissue between Black-led movements and advocacy by building and supporting Black organizations, developing shared analyses, and organizing for collective action. IBAI fosters connections within and between Black advocacy ecosystems to deepen solidarity, organize to build power, and accelerate change across multiple systems.

Mission

We advocate for equity, opportunity, and justice for Black Illinoisans by expanding the capacity and power of Black community-focused organizations, constituency building, and advancing public policy and education.

Vision

IBAI envisions an equitable and self-determined future for all Black Illinoisans.

Theory of Change

IBAI organizes and supports the diversity of Black voices in Illinois to develop and implement an asset-based narrative and strategy that centers the needs of the most marginalized in Illinois’ Black community and enhances the advocacy ecosystem to ensure that public policies are inclusive of their interests.

The Opportunity

As IBAI enters a pivotal period of organizational transition, the Interim Executive Director will provide steady, strategic leadership to ensure financial and structural stability while reinforcing a healthy and thriving organizational culture. While the programmatic and external-facing work is well supported, the core thrust of this role will be to strengthen and build the organization’s internal infrastructure —including technology systems, governance practices, finance and operations.

About the Role

Working closely with the Steering Committee and staff, the Interim Executive Director (IED) will assess organizational needs, fortify essential internal systems, and implement improvements that support long-term sustainability. At the same time, this leader will help position IBAI for its next chapter by supporting a successful search process and a smooth transition to a permanent Executive Director (ED). The IED may be considered as a candidate for the permanent ED position but would have to apply for the position like any other candidate.