The Imperative has a dynamic team of leaders who have come together in service of love for our people. We thank you in advance for entrusting our stewardship. We will honor that trust by the good work we do together, in community with you.
Board Of Directors
Ngunan Adamu (UK), Journalist and Broadcaster, iWoman Academy CIC & iWoman Media Ltd
Alicia Adamson, Senior Vice President of Donor Engagement, United Way of Massachusetts Bay
Jessica Bedney, AVP, Children’s Services of Roxbury
Olu Fann, Activist & Artist, EARTHGANG
Hon. Judge Peter Herbert O.B.E (retired), U.K Human Rights Barrister
Josina Machel (South Africa), Activist & Founder, Kuhluka
Leaders in Service
Co-Founder & Co-Director, Alexandra Bastien – For her entire career, Alexandra has worked toward gender, racial and economic justice. She led the Financial Stability grantmaking strategy at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF) which included a focus on benefits access, EITC expansion, free tax preparation, cash assistance and basic income. Prior to joining SVCF, Alexandra was Senior Associate at PolicyLink, where she led a variety of projects focused on advancing economic opportunity including federal tax policy, workforce/employment policy, addressing government issued fines and fees and the development of policy agendas to advance financial security. An avid messenger on the consequences of a growing racial wealth gap, Alexandra was invited to present at TEDx on what key policies are needed to address it. Prior to joining PolicyLink, Alexandra was a 2012-2013 cohort member of the Proteus Fund Fellowship for Diversity in Philanthropy and served as the Co-Executive Director of the Young Black Women’s Society, Inc. Alexandra holds a Master of Public Policy degree from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University and a B.A. in Communication from Boston College. Alexandra was also a Connecting Leaders Fellow with the Association of Black Foundation Executives (ABFE).
Co-Founder & Co-Director, Ade Oguntoye – Ade received his BA from Emory University in Economics and Psychology. He received his MA in Social Work/Social Policy from Columbia University and is a current doctoral student at Walden University for his PhD in Social Work. He interned at the United Nation in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) working on issues related to youth globally and organizing the World Youth Forum in Dakar, Senegal in 2001. He has a commitment to positively impacting the Pan African world. Ade was a presenter at the World Conference Against Racism for Africa and the African Diaspora, serves as chair for the Pan African Ministries for the Pan African Orthodox Christian Church. He started Sankofa Tours where they take groups from the Diaspora on guided tours to African nations. His work in philanthropy started with the Annie E. Casey Foundation as a Program Associate focusing on community engagement and systems level reform. He is a recognized leader in the philanthropic world, doing national presentations and was selected as a Connecting Leaders Fellow through the Association of Black Foundation Executives (ABFE).