Meet the Transforming Solidarity Collective

Founded during the pandemic and cultivating radical collaboration through each chapter since, the Transforming Solidarity Collective brings together intermediary organizations equipping the nonprofit sector in Southeast Michigan and beyond.
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What We're About

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"Transforming Solidarity" in Detroit and beyond

Rooted in relationships and shared values, the Transforming Solidarity Collective is a unique and radical collaborative table of executive leaders and program staff from five values-aligned intermediary organizations serving nonprofits in Southeast Michigan and beyond.

TSC partners have different stated missions and service offerings, yet each has a shared commitment to applying an equity lens to their work, aiming for more inclusive programming that meets nonprofit leaders where they are.

Additionally, the collective provides a clear mechanism for partners to co-operate on projects, presentations, and funding requests, directly opposing the harmful nonprofit tropes of the "scarcity mindset" and the tendency toward competition over collaboration.

Who We Are

Member Organizations:

•  Co.act Detroit
•  Community Development Advocates of Detroit (CDAD)
•  Michigan Community Resources (MCR)
•  Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA)
•  Nonprofit Enterprise at Work (NEW)

Each organization provides unique and complementary services and resources, operating in a clearly defined lane of support for nonprofits.

In our informed and aligned strategy, current and prospective nonprofit clients of all sizes, capacities, and service areas know which organization they can ask for support on a given topic or need.

Additionally, each organization is equipped to provide thoughtful, informed referrals to one another's programs and services, ensuring an empowered nonprofit support sector and easier access to quality resources for the nonprofits and communities we serve.

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Our Leadership

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Will Jones III

 Will Jones III (he/him) succeeded Yodit Mesfin-Johnson as President and CEO of NEW (Nonprofit Enterprise at Work) in July 2025. In his years at NEW, he has served in program administration, led fund development efforts, championed the evolution of NEW's communications, and represented the organization in key partnerships. Will’s relational leadership style celebrates creativity, and leans on lessons learned as an Eagle Scout and #girldad. 


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Shamyle Maya Dobbs

Shamyle Maya Dobbs (she/her) is Co-CEO of Michigan Community Resources, where she has served in a variety of roles in her 15+ year tenure, from intern to c-suite. Today, she leads external relations and communications alongside her co-CEO.

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Alisha Butler

Alisha Butler (she/her) serves as Co-CEO of Michigan Community Resources. Alisha leads program strategy and operations for the organization toward its mission of equipping small nonprofits and grassroots organizations with the tools and resources they need to thrive.

Ezekiel Harris

Ezekiel Harris

Ezekiel Harris (he/him) serves as Executive Director of Co.act Detroit. In this role, she provides strategic leadership through collaboration. Prior to joining Co.act Detroit, Ezekiel served as Founder and Principal Consultant of Freedmen’s Lab, as well as having served as Executive Director of MACC Development. He brings a deep commitment to building ecosystems that foster collaboration, innovation, and economic mobility.

Mahdavi Reddy

Madhavi Reddy

Madhavi Reddy (she/her) serves as Executive Director of Community Development Advocates of Detroit, a membership-centered organization serving the community development ecosystem in Detroit. Madhavi's commitment to inclusion is connected to her experiences as the child of immigrants. She has taught community development courses at the University of Detroit Mercy and Wayne State University.

Kelley Kuhn

Kelley Kuhn

Kelley Kuhn (she/her) is President and CEO of Michigan Nonprofit Association, where she leads efforts to support nonprofits and the communities they serve. Kelley is dedicated to ensuring nonprofits have the necessary resources to fulfill their missions and drive positive change in Michigan. “A solid and resourced nonprofit sector makes the world a better place," Kelley believes.

The Transforming Solidarity Collective leaders

Our History

Formed in 2020 as a remedy to the competitive and often divisive environment cultivated in the nonprofit sector—and in response to devastating events making headlines and pushing us toward isolation and burnout—five women of color leading intermediary organizations formalized their longstanding friendships and through the Transforming Solidarity Collective.

Today, while some founding members have moved into other roles, the collaborative and assets-framed partnerships between the five intermediary organizations continues to thrive.

Our organizations work together each day in big and small ways. Through the Transforming Solidarity Collective, we aim to cultivate a future where nonprofit organizations of all sizes and capacities can think of collaboration as an achievable strategy, serving to alleviate capacity strain and achieve mutual goals. 

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