Meet the Transforming Solidarity Collective

The Transforming Solidarity Collective (TSC) is a coalition of nonprofit support organizations working together to strengthen Southeast Michigan's social impact sector. Originally formed by women-of-color-led organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic and the racial justice uprisings of 2020, the collective brings together trusted partners with complementary expertise to help nonprofits navigate change, build resilience and strengthen long-term impact.

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What We're About

"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.

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Resilience & Reimagining

In 2025 we worked with our closest funding partners to develop a wrap-around support model to help nonprofits respond to significant shifts in the federal policy and funding landscape.

Nonprofits can reach out to any Transforming Solidarity Collective member organization and be connected with support in the following areas:

  • Advocacy and lobbying, including guides and more tailored advising for how your organization can speak up
  • Educational and networking events focused on what nonprofits need to meet the moment
  • IT and cyber security services
  • Legal compliance guidance and organizational check-ups
  • Risk management and scenario planning
  • Wellbeing and burnout prevention

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)

The Collective is made up of five values-aligned nonprofit support organizations that provide complementary services, resources, and expertise to nonprofits across the region.

Each partner operates with distinct sets of services, allowing nonprofits to access specialized guidance while benefiting from a connected ecosystem of resources. Through ongoing coordination and shared strategy, we help nonprofit leaders identify the right support for their needs.

By working together rather than in isolation, we strengthen the nonprofit support sector and create clearer pathways for organizations to access high-quality resources, build capacity, and increase their impact.

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Our Leadership

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Alisha Butler

 Alisha Butler (she/her) serves as Co-CEO of Michigan Community Resources, where she leads program strategy and organizational operations. Her work focuses on equipping nonprofits and grassroots organizations with the tools, resources, and support they need to thrive. Alisha is committed to strengthening community-based organizations and advancing equitable outcomes through effective leadership and capacity building.
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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 throughout her more than 15 years with the organization, progressing from intern to executive leadership. Today, she leads external relations and communications, helping advance the organization's mission while strengthening partnerships, visibility, and engagement across the nonprofit and community development sectors. 

Ezekiel Harris

Ezekiel Harris

Ezekiel Harris (he/him) serves as Executive Director of Co.act Detroit, where he provides strategic leadership focused on collaboration and collective impact. Prior to joining Co.act Detroit, he founded Freedmen’s Lab and served as Executive Director of MACC Development. Ezekiel brings a deep commitment to building ecosystems that foster innovation, strengthen partnerships, and expand economic opportunity for communities. 

Kelley Kuhn

Kelley Kuhn

Kelley Kuhn (she/her) is President and CEO of Michigan Nonprofit Association, where she leads statewide efforts to strengthen nonprofits and the communities they serve. Kelley champions the inclusion of nonprofit voices in public policy and civic engagement discussions, recognizing the sector's critical role in creating vibrant, resilient communities across Michigan. As she often notes, a strong nonprofit sector makes the world better for everyone.

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Will Jones III

 Will Jones III (he/him) is President and CEO of NEW (Nonprofit Enterprise at Work). During his years with the organization, he has served in program administration, led fund development efforts, championed the evolution of NEW's communications, and represented the organization through key partnerships. Known for his relational leadership style, Will celebrates creativity, collaboration, and community, drawing inspiration from his experiences as an Eagle Scout and proud #girldad. 

Mahdavi Reddy

Madhavi Reddy

Madhavi Reddy (she/her) serves as Executive Director of Community Development Advocates of Detroit, a membership-centered organization supporting Detroit's community development ecosystem. A dedicated community builder, her work focuses on expanding meaningful public participation and creating opportunities for cross-sector collaboration. Madhavi also teaches urban planning courses at the University of Michigan, helping prepare the next generation of civic leaders.

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Heather Nugen

Heather Nugen (she/her) is the Director of Systems Transformation at Michigan Community Resources, and serves as convener and facilitator for the Collective. Her work at MCR focuses on strategy and developing operational practices both internal and external that strengthen the nonprofit ecosystem and develop sector-wide infrastructure to support organizations. Within the Transforming Solidarity Collective, she works to align the members around objectives that reflect their shared values, while also recognizing and activating their specific service areas and skill-sets. 

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.
 

The Transforming Solidarity Collective leaders
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