The Coalition's Young Professionals of Color (YPC) Mentorship Program supports and retains Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in the Chesapeake Bay community. Since 2016, we have provided free mentorship and professional development to more than 200 BIPOC professionals throughout the region, while connecting them with mentors that help foster their future career goals.

Over the last seven years, the program has grown from an informal mentorship program to a carefully crafted professional development training series that provides meaningful tools, trainings, and support to emerging leaders and professionals. YPC is among few free mentorship and professional development opportunities that exist within the Chesapeake Bay watershed that are specifically designed for BIPOC environmental professionals. And the program provides countless benefits to current and past YPC participants, including increased knowledge to build their network, a stronger skillset to apply for and secure new positions, boosted their morale, greater self-confidence, and much more.

One of the biggest benefits of joining YPC is the customized trainings BIPOC professionals receive early in their careers. This year's training topics included: Making the Most of Your Mentorship Journey, Radical Rest, Overcoming Imposture Syndrome, and Naming My Needs-Overcoming Conflict Within Self + Difficult Conversation.

In addition to these virtual trainings, YPC held its first ever in-person training and reception. Hosted on the grounds of Coalition member Nature Forward, the training drew 22 mentees and mentors, exploring the topic of using the power of storytelling to improve confidence and self-advocacy. A networking reception followed the training, which featured a poetry slam and YPC panel. During the panel, YPC mentees and mentors shared their experiences, the impact on their personal and professional development, and ongoing challenges faced by BIPOC communities. Joining us at the reception were current and former YPC members, funders, partners, and supporters of YPC. Leadership staff from the Chesapeake Bay Program and the National Park Service were also in attendance.

YPC enables BIPOC leaders to navigate unique barriers and challenges they experience in the workplace and their everyday lives. Through this work, we are minimizing the racial gaps that prevent us from advancing well-rounded and informed decisions to reach and sustain water quality goals. The Coalition is committed to supporting young professionals of color and equipping them to achieve their personal professional goals, while furthering their organizational missions. Through this program, we are cultivating healthier and more inclusive work environments, and growing a sustainable pipeline of diverse leaders committed to advancing our regional watershed goals.

Photos by Drew Robinson/CCWC Staff