Board of Directors (Volunteer Position)

Position : Board of Directors

Position & Status : Volunteer, 10-12 hrs per quarter

Term Limit : Three Years

ABOUT IMAGINE BLACK

Imagine Black (formerly known as PAALF Action Fund) helps our Black community imagine the alternatives we deserve and build our political participation and leadership to achieve those alternatives. Since our start in 2009, we have envisioned a world where people of African descent enjoy the rights, resources, and recognition to be a thriving, resilient, and connected community.

At Imagine Black, we have strengthened our commitment to a Black Queer Feminist (BQF) theory and practice. BQF provides a more holistic understanding of our conditions and connectedness as Black people. As a result, we understand that liberation for all Black people can only be realized by lifting up the voices and experiences and prioritizing the issues of historically silenced and vulnerable groups within Black communities – specifically, queer, trans and gender non-conforming (GNC), femme, poor, disabled, working and undocumented people (adapted from BYP100).

Imagine Black is a 501(c)(4) multi-issue grassroots organization in partnership with our sibling 501(c)(3) organization, Imagine Black Futures. We are a staff of six with an operating budget of around $3.5M.

More information about Imagine Black can be found at imagineblack.org .

POSITION SUMMARY

The Board of Directors serves as the backbone of our organization, providing guidance, governance, and strategic direction. Serving on the Board requires a deep understanding of our mission and a commitment to promoting progressive principles, inclusivity, diversity, and social justice.

As a Board Member, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our organizations and the communities we serve. You will participate in crucial decision-making processes, ensuring our actions align with our mission and values. You will also contribute to building financial sustainability by participating in fundraising efforts and identify potential donors, grants, partnerships, and recruit for Imagine Black events and operations.

EXPECTATIONS OF INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS

Each individual board member is expected to;

• know the organization’s mission, policies, programs, and needs;
• faithfully read and understand the organization’s financial statements
• serve as active advocates and ambassadors for the organization and fully engage in identifying and securing the financial resources and partnerships necessary for Imagine Black / Imagine Black Futures to advance its mission;
• leverage connections, networks, and resources to develop collective action to fully achieve Imagine Black / Imagine Black Futures’s mission;
• give a meaningful personal financial donation to both Imagine Black and Imagine Black Futures;
• help identify personal connections that can benefit the organization’s fundraising and reputational standing, and can influence public policy;
• follow the organization’s bylaws, policies, and board resolutions;
• sign an annual conflict-of-interest disclosure and update it during the year if necessary, as well as disclose potential conflicts before meetings and actual conflicts during meetings;
• sign an annual confidentiality agreement and maintain confidentiality about all internal matters of Imagine Black / Imagine Black Futures;
• prepare for, attend, and conscientiously participate in board meeting; and
• participate fully in one or more committees.

RESPONSIBILITIES

TIME COMMITMENTS

Requirements

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

TO APPLY

Please send a resume and cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for this position, highlighting experience and competencies that meet the role’s requirements.

For this role, we are not concerned with typo-free writing or aesthetically beautiful materials our main concern is understanding how well you meet the stated qualifications and any other information that will help us understand how you might be a good fit for Imagine Black and vice versa. You’re welcome to also include anything else you feel is pertinent for us to have in your application materials, though this isn’t necessary.

Racial equity is of utmost importance for our search. If you do not meet all of the required qualifications for this role but feel you can be a great addition to our team, please apply and let us know why we should meet you!

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled, with priority given to those received by August 31, 2025.

Imagine Black embraces diversity in a profound way. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool - because we know the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

Benefits

N / A