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TORONTO, Ontario April 24, 2018 — Co-founder and Executive Director of the CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals, Dr. Kofi Hope, will be stepping down this summer, after more than six years leading the organisation.
The Centre is, reputedly, one of Toronto’s most innovative agencies serving Black youth.
Dr. Hope and the CEE Board, which he informed of his decision recently, have been engaged in succession planning for more than a year.
The organisation embarks on this leadership transition, with a track record of graduating youth with a new sense of direction and skills, a strong strategic plan, solid funding, an engaged Board and a highly-skilled and dedicated staff team.
“I love this work and will always be passionate about CEE’s mission and its people,” Dr. Hope said. “We’ve achieved many significant milestones and it’s time for me to pursue other interests.”
Over the last six years, CEE evolved from being a start-up, funded by the Ontario government and the United Way, to addressing violence and positively affecting disadvantaged youth in Black communities.
It has grown into a dynamic hub that builds viable career paths, while offering services that deal directly with the life situations of Black youth.
“Kofi’s leadership has been remarkable,” said Earl Miller, Board Chair of CEE. “He and his team created impressive programs with over 100 graduates, an 80 percent program retention rate and almost 80 percent of graduates going on to school or work after program completion. We now have capacity to serve 60 youth each year and are looking at annual growth in our programs in the years to come.”
The CEE Board has an executive director search process in place and recruitment for the position is underway.
“Kofi is deeply passionate about his work here and he will be missed,” said Jenine Gregory, CEE’s Treasurer and a member of its Executive Director Search Committee. “But he’s left a strong legacy and an exciting opportunity for a new leader who can take us to the next level of organizational success. We’re delighted he’s working with the Board to make this a smooth transition.”
