Women's Innovative Social Enterprise
DEVELOPING SPACES FOR LEGACY RESIDENTS
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The W.I.S.E. Partnership aims to address social and economic challenges faced by Black and Brown communities in Detroit through intergenerational programming and the development of vacant land to bring resources and viable businesses to residents. The organization seeks to create vibrant green infrastructure and business developments to foster community growth and empowerment. The focus is on improving the quality of life for these communities by leveraging unused land for sustainable and inclusive projects that benefit both current and future generations and bring unity among adjacent neighborhoods.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
WISE Talk
A community podcast hosted by women to discuss health, wealth, and issues facing Detroit communities. The podcast will promote Detroit communities and serve to impart and share knowledge.
Millennial Podcast
Five millennials from Detroit host a podcast that provides a candid look at millennials, mental health, pop culture, and beyond. The message is one of healing and unity for Detroiters.
Community Center of Rights & Equity (C-CORE)
A community political empowerment and social justice project for the betterment of underrepresented citizens, specifically women and people of color.
Victory Village Center of Literacy & Learning
Victory Village Center of Literacy & Learning is an educational initiative that caters to the intergenerational community's literacy deficiencies. The program's primary focus is to meet the learning needs of the members of this community. To achieve their objectives, the Education Directors, Dr. Angelika Smith Jones, Curriculum, and Ms. Lacetia Walker, Ed.S., Program Coordinator, have developed an effective program that caters to the different learning needs of the stakeholders. This program aims to empower the members of the intergenerational community to become productive and self-reliant individuals in society.
Where we work
Affiliations & memberships
KIP:D+ Award 2023
Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of free participants on field trips
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Ethnic and racial groups, At-risk youth, Economically disadvantaged people, Victims and oppressed people
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
150 high school students attended a college tour.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Women's Innovative Social Enterprise Partnership is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Better known as W.I.S.E. Partnership, we are a collaborative partnership of Detroit social entrepreneurs, business owners, and non-profit leaders.
We are committed to sustainable solutions and provide holistic legacy development programs, including but not limited to environmental sustainability, food security, workforce training, youth development, and literacy support. W.I.S.E. Partnerships team of professionals is dedicated to building an inclusive, green, meditative space and to providing space for learning and skill-building for a wholesome community experience. Our engagement will include programs that encourage resident participation and self-reliance and support the maintenance of property. Our members believe in the idea of intergenerational engagement and are dedicated to establishing resources, enterprise, learning spaces, and growth opportunities for the resilient and worthy residents of Detroit.
OUR VALUED-BASED GOALS
The W.I.S.E. Partnership aims to promote justice and inclusivity in Detroit while empowering its residents.
We provide safe gathering places and seek to create a sustainable, diverse community that is free from economic, health, racial, and emotional barriers.
We believe in supporting Black and Brown people and offer opportunities for intergenerational programming, climate resilience, and urban farming.
The W.I.S.E. Partnership is also committed to helping returned citizens with workforce development and achieving financial fluency for the community.
We uphold laws and speak out against any form of discrimination and abuse.
Our goal is to create a culturally communal landscape with contemplative green spaces for residents with viable resources, services, and experiences.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Community Engagement: Actively involving the community in decision-making processes, ensuring their needs and preferences are considered in project development.
Capacity Building: Offering educational and training programs to empower community members with the skills and knowledge needed for sustainable development and entrepreneurship.
Green Infrastructure Development: Implementing environmentally friendly projects that utilize vacant land for green spaces, gardens, or sustainable business ventures, contributing to community well-being and economic growth.
Business Incubation: Supporting the establishment and growth of local businesses by providing resources, mentorship, and infrastructure to foster entrepreneurship and economic resilience.
Intergenerational Programming: Designing initiatives that bridge generational gaps, fostering collaboration, mentorship, and knowledge exchange among different age groups within the community.
Policy Advocacy: Engaging in advocacy efforts to influence local policies that promote equitable access to resources, reduce systemic barriers, and support community development initiatives.
Partnerships and Collaborations: Building alliances with other organizations, businesses, and government entities to pool resources, share expertise, and maximize the impact of community development initiatives.
Measurable Impact: Establishing clear metrics and evaluation mechanisms to assess the effectiveness of programs, ensuring that the initiatives address the identified problems and contribute positively to community outcomes.
Cultural Sensitivity: Recognizing and respecting the cultural diversity within the community, tailoring programs and initiatives to be inclusive and responsive to the unique needs of Black and Brown populations.
Long-Term Sustainability: Focusing on sustainable development practices to ensure that the positive impact of projects endures over time, creating lasting benefits for the community.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Community Networks: Establishing and maintaining strong connections within the community allows the W.I.S.E. Partnership to understand local needs, priorities, and concerns. This network can also facilitate effective communication and collaboration.
Expertise: Our team's diverse skills, including community development, urban planning, business management, and social work, enable the organization to approach challenges from multiple perspectives and implement comprehensive solutions.
Strategic Planning: Developing and executing well-thought-out strategic plans allows the organization to set clear goals, allocate resources efficiently, and adapt to changing circumstances while staying focused on its mission.
Fundraising and Resource Mobilization: The ability to secure funding and resources is crucial for implementing initiatives and sustaining long-term projects. We continue to seek partnerships with philanthropic organizations, government agencies, or private sector entities.
Project Management: Effectively managing and coordinating projects ensures that initiatives are implemented in a timely and organized manner, maximizing their impact and minimizing potential challenges.
Advocacy Skills: Engaging in effective advocacy at the local and potentially broader levels can help the organization influence policies, regulations, and public opinion to create a more supportive environment for its goals. Our initiative, C-CORE, insures we are engaged at this level.
Cultural Competence: Understanding and respecting the cultural nuances of the communities being served is essential for designing and implementing initiatives that are culturally sensitive and responsive to the unique needs of Black and Brown populations.
Monitoring and Evaluation: Establishing robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms allows the organization to assess the impact of its programs, identify areas for improvement, and demonstrate accountability to stakeholders and funders. We talk to program participants, residents, and stakeholders to determine our effectiveness and areas to improve.
Innovation and Adaptability: Being open to innovation and adaptable to changing circumstances allows the organization to respond effectively to emerging challenges and opportunities, ensuring its relevance and impact over time. Our volunteers from various socio-economic backgrounds provide insight and expand our vision and capabilities to achieve our goals.
Collaborative Partnerships: Building and sustaining partnerships with other organizations, businesses, and government entities enhances the W.I.S.E. Partnership's capacity by leveraging shared resources, expertise, and support. We have partnerships with universities, mental health nonprofits, and social justice organizations and are also a part of the adopt-a-park program, which increases our opportunities for outreach.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Candidate Meet and Greets: The organization has successfully organized candidate meet and greets, providing the community with opportunities to interact with and learn about political candidates. This fosters civic engagement and allows community members to make informed decisions during elections.
Millennial Podcasts: Hosting millennial podcasts indicates an effort to connect with and amplify the voices of the younger generation. These podcasts likely cover a range of topics relevant to millennials, providing a platform for discussions on social issues, community development, and empowerment.
Adopt-a-Park: The Adopt-a-Park initiative demonstrates a commitment to improving the community's physical environment. By encouraging community members to take an active role in maintaining and beautifying local parks, the W.I.S.E. Partnership contributes to creating cleaner and more attractive public spaces.
Community Partnerships: Collaborating with various community partners signifies a recognition of the importance of collective action. These partnerships can enhance the organization's reach, bring in additional resources, and create a more comprehensive and holistic approach to community development.
Letters of Support: Garnering letters of support from individuals, organizations, or stakeholders indicates that the W.I.S.E. Partnership has been successful in building a positive reputation and garnering endorsement for its initiatives. This can be instrumental in gaining credibility and support from the broader community.
Looking ahead, the W.I.S.E. Partnership has ambitious plans:
Mobile Health Hub: The introduction of a mobile health hub suggests a commitment to addressing community health needs. This initiative can improve access to healthcare services, particularly in underserved areas, and contribute to overall physical well-being.
Community Health Improvement: Engaging the community in physical and mental health improvement programs underscores a holistic approach to well-being. These initiatives may include fitness programs, mental health awareness campaigns, and resources to support community members in adopting healthier lifestyles.
Social Justice Summit: Hosting a social justice summit with a focus on producing actionable outcomes is a significant step toward addressing systemic issues. This event can bring together community leaders, activists, and experts to discuss and strategize solutions for advancing social justice in the community.
By combining these efforts, the W.I.S.E. Partnership is actively contributing to community development, empowerment, and overall well-being, with a focus on creating tangible and sustainable positive outcomes for its constituents. Our ultimate goal is a capital-funding campaign to acquire land to develop to house these programs and more.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We share the feedback we received with the people we serve
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, It is difficult to find the ongoing funding to support feedback collection, It is difficult to identify actionable feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Women's Innovative Social Enterprise
Board of directorsas of 02/21/2024
Ms. Lacetia Walker
Ferndale School District
Olwyn Shirley
Retired
Lacetia Walker
Detroit Public Schools
Angelika Jones
Retired Educator
TaNisha Cameron
State of Michigan
Kimberly Fisher
Lily & Elise
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Not applicable
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.
Equity strategies
Last updated: 05/16/2023GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.