Who are we? 

People who care about our community.

When you give of your time, resources, and trust, you deserve transparency. We invite you to get better acquainted with 24/7 BLAC.

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Purpose

UNDERSTAND THE MISSION
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Prudence

EXPLORE OUR FINANCIALS
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People

MEET THE TEAM
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Purpose

When 24/7 Wall St. published an article in 2019 called The Worst Cities for Black Americans, the results couldn’t have been more bleak for our community. Referencing significant inequalities in income, employment, home ownership, and incarceration rates, it rated Waterloo & Cedar Falls as the worst place for Black Americans to live.

While for many of us these problems were far from new, seeing them spelled out in black and white sparked an urgency that things must change, starting now.

Turns out, there were many of us determined to see our community become a place where everyone could thrive and tired of waiting on someone else to make it happen. As a result, the 501(c)(3) called 24/7 Black Leadership Advancement Consortium (BLAC) was formed.

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24/7 BLAC aims to increase personal and professional development, amplify leadership and growth strategies, and build networks of influence for professionals in Waterloo and Cedar Falls with an emphasis on the Black community. As a collective, we help unemployed and underemployed black professionals develop professional skills while connecting them with employment opportunities. Many of these opportunities are with 24/7 BLAC partners who are committed to diversifying their workforce and increasing the number of black managers and leaders in local companies.

24/7 BLAC has been honored with national recognition as well as the USASBE award and the Grow Cedar Valley Betty Wubenna Partnership award.

The significant impact our organization is having on individuals and our community at large has not only garnered remarkable attention but also inspired other communities to begin modeling programs after it. We hope the momentum is only just beginning!

Your support can make a world of difference.

Every bit of your support is stewarded to make the maximum community impact.

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When you engage...

By giving financial donations, attending networking events, hiring participants, participating in programs, and beyond, you are opening doors of opportunity and breaking barriers of inequality.

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lives are changed...

With your active involvement, individuals are equipped, business leaders are empowered, employment is increased, creativity is encouraged, and opportunities for success are broadened.

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and we all thrive.

When all talent is given an equal seat at the table and a rightful place to shine, lives are enriched, future generations are impacted, and everyone benefits from a healthy, flourishing community.

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Entrepreneur Graduates

Homebuyer Program Graduates

New Homeowners

Million Dollars

in local economic impact from closed homes

Annual Reports

2022

Coming Soon

We’re delighted you’re here and would love to meet you.

In the meantime, here’s a little about us:

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It’s a pleasure to introduce you to our board members.

Madelyn Ridgeway, Executive Director

Madelyn Ridgeway, an Alabama native, has served full-time as the Executive Director of 24/7 BLAC since 2023. Before coming to 24/7 BLAC, she was the Diversity Director at CBE Companies and the Coordinator of Experiential and Service Learning for Waterloo Schools, where she launched the LifeLabs program.

In 2022, Madelyn and her husband, Shaffer, founded Embracing Exploration, a non-profit that exposes youth and their families to experiences outside their norm. Embracing Exploration’s inaugural program is the Black Excellence Academy and HBCU Tour, which equips local youth with the skills and experiences needed to launch and succeed in college.

Madelyn holds a BS in Nutrition and Hospitality Management and an MS in Family & Consumer Sciences from Alabama A&M University.

She and Shaffer are parents to three boys, Solomon-14, Jonathan-12, and Jacoby-9.

Favorite Cedar Valley small business- Southern Goods

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Sharina Sallis,

President, TruStage

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Lynn Lagrone,

Vice President of Academic Affairs,
Hawkeye Community College

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Kingsley Botchway,

Treasurer, Unity Point Hospital Regional HR Director

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Felicia Smith-Nalls,

HR & Community Relations Manager, Tyson

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Kalola Roby,

Diversity Director, Lincoln Savings Bank

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Keyaira Miller,

Director of Owned Brand Project Management- Product Development & Ops

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Tavis Hall,

Executive Director, Experience Waterloo

Sharina Sallis,

Board Chair & Co-Founder

A native of Waterloo, Sharina is a Navy Veteran, Community Activist, Human Rights Advocate, and proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Sharina is also a graduate of Upper Iowa University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration.

In her current role of Community Relations Manager, Sharina is known as the “local face” of the organization and is deemed a primary liaison between CUNA Mutual Group and the community sector.

Sharina co-founded 24/7 Black Leadership Advancement Consortium in 2020. Additionally, she co-founded along with four other women to include Pulitzer Prize winning author Nikole Hannah-Jones the 1619 Freedom School, an after-school literacy program that uses a culturally responsive curriculum to deliver intensive literacy instruction to its participants.

Sharina's passion for her community impact has earned her commission appointments with the Waterloo Commission on Human Rights, Veterans Affairs Administration, as well as the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance and Chamber Diversity Committee.

Lynn LaGrone,

Vice President of Academic Affairs,
Hawkeye Community College

Lynn LaGrone, a Cedar Valley resident since August 2020, serves as the Provost and VP of Academic Affairs at Hawkeye Community College. After ten years as both adjunct and full-time English faculty at Des Moines Area Community College, Lynn served as faculty leader and chair of the college’s Diversity Commission. Lynn’s career in higher education goes to back to 2001 after a dozen years as a broadcast journalist.

Lynn serves on various boards and committees as she works to make the Cedar Valley a better place.

With her husband, Roger of 30+ years and two adult “kids”-- Carlyn and Connor, the family moved to Iowa in 2010, after living in Texas, New York, Colorado, Tennessee, Florida, California and Michigan. They’re all happy to call Iowa home!

Kingsley Botchway,

Kingsley Botchway II is the regional director of human resources at UnityPoint Health.

From 2018-2022 he was the chief officer of human resources and equity for the Waterloo Schools District. From 2014 to 2018, he was the director of equity and engagement for the Iowa City Community School District, and an adjunct professor at Kirkwood Community College-Iowa City campus.

A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Botchway went on to complete his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2010. In 2014, he was elected to the Iowa City City Council, serving as mayor pro tem from 2015-2017.

Felicia Smith-Nalls,

HR & Community Relations Manager, Tyson

Felicia Smith-Nalls is a native of Waterloo and graduate of Wartburg College and the University of Iowa College of Law. She has experience in HR and DE&I, cultural competency and leadership development. Felicia is presently the Manager of Tyson Foods Community Relations Programing. She is also the Artistic and Festival Director for the North End Cultural Center. Mrs.Smith-Nalls is committed to the development of both the arts and business communities. She is active on various boards and committees in the community.

Felicia enjoys spending time with her husband Kal and her two children Jaymes and AJ. In her "free" time she enjoys performing as the vocalist in HartSmith.

Kalola Roby,

Diversity Director, Lincoln Savings Bank

With more than two decades of solid commitment to the financial sector, Kalola Roby has cultivated a wealth of experience and leadership in promoting financial well-being and empowering marginalized communities. Her diverse roles within the financial industry have not only enhanced her expertise but also steered her dedication and passion towards advancing financial wellness and empowerment, with a particular focus on underserved Black and Brown communities.

Kalola has expanded her skill set and founded Lola's Financial Boutique, which seeks to transform the way individuals approach their financial well-being. Through personalized coaching, workshops, webinars and innovative group educational programs, Kalola empowers all to take control of their financial futures in unique and innovative ways.

Kalola is an active participant in a range of boards and committees dedicated to promoting financial wellness and economic empowerment.

Keyaira Miller,

Director of Owned Brand Project Management- Product Development & Ops

In her current role, she is responsible for sourcing and connecting emerging diverse and/or women owned brands to support Target’s merchandising strategies and drive inclusive assortment for Target’s diverse guests. Keyaira has a passion for retaining and growing brands, allowing them to reach their fullest potential by empowering them with the right foundational tools, partners and resources in hopes that it creates a space to fuel generational wealth and drive economic vitality and equity

Prior to Target, Keyaira was at Amazon Fashion, leading the Women’s Product Development team within Private Brands. Much of what Keyaira loves is involved with collaboration and connection. Assembling a team with gifts different than mine, who shine in ways I don’t have, has been both inspiring and crucial to my success.

Tavis Hall,

Black Hawk County Supervisor & Executive Director of Experience Waterloo

Tavis is a Waterloo native. After nearly a decade working for the US House of Representatives, Tavis served Waterloo as downtown district director (Main Street Waterloo) prior to his current service as Executive Director of Experience Waterloo, Waterloo’s Destination Marketing Organization.

Tavis was the states first black Main Street Director and the states first black Tourism Director, and one of a handful of current black accredited tourism directors throughout the US.

In 2022, Tavis was elected to the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors.