Roland Kennedy Jr. Recognized as Male Ally Honoree for Advancing Philanthropic Leadership and Opportunity for Boys and Men of Color

By Kendra Hall

NEW YORK — Philanthropic leaders across the country are placing renewed attention on equity driven investments that expand opportunity for boys and men of color through education, literacy, and economic mobility. National grantmaking institutions continue aligning resources with community based organizations to address long standing gaps in access and representation.

Roland Kennedy Jr. stands among those advancing this work. He serves as Executive Director of the Executive Alliance at the Schott Foundation, a premier philanthropic fund dedicated to improving life outcomes for boys and men of color through strategic investment, leadership development, and policy aligned initiatives. His work centers on building partnerships that move funding into communities while strengthening the organizations leading change on the ground.

Kennedy will be honored as a Male Ally on March 7, 2026 at the Women’s Empowerment and Awards Brunch Gala in Philadelphia, hosted by Droppin’ Jewelz LLC in support of Jewelz Foundation Incorporated. The gathering recognizes leaders whose work strengthens families, education systems, and community infrastructure while actively supporting the advancement and empowerment of women and girls.

His career spans grants management, communications, and program leadership within both corporate and private philanthropy. Kennedy has worked across funding models rooted in 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) grantmaking, supporting initiatives focused on democracy, governance, economic mobility, education, immigration, media and journalism, and peace and security. His approach reflects a belief that philanthropy must be coordinated, accountable, and grounded in real community needs.

At the Schott Foundation, the Executive Alliance focuses on expanding access to opportunity through investments in education, mentorship, and leadership pathways. The work recognizes the importance of early support systems that strengthen literacy, identity, and long term stability for young people navigating systemic barriers.

Kennedy also serves as board chair of Barbershop Books Inc., a national literacy organization that partners with barbershops and libraries to strengthen reading identity among Black boys and other vulnerable youth. The initiative uses familiar community spaces to encourage literacy engagement, creating environments where learning feels accessible and culturally affirming.

His leadership extends across multiple national organizations committed to strengthening the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors. He is a board member of PEAK Grantmaking, an organization focused on improving grantmaking practices and infrastructure, and serves in advisory roles with Black Film Space, Community Investment Network, and StreetWise Partners. Through these positions, he contributes to conversations shaping funding strategy, community investment, and nonprofit sustainability.

Kennedy also remains connected to academic and alumni communities. He serves on the Villanova University Black Alumni Association committee and continues advancing his own public leadership development as a candidate for a Master of Public Administration at the University of Pennsylvania Fels Institute of Government. His academic and professional work reflect a commitment to strengthening public systems that support equitable opportunity.

Leaders in philanthropy note that collaborative funding models and cross sector partnerships are essential to sustaining long term change. Kennedy’s work reflects that direction, connecting grantmaking strategy with community insight and lived experience to ensure investments reach the people and organizations driving impact.

The Women’s Empowerment and Awards Brunch Gala will highlight leaders across philanthropy, wellness, education, advocacy, and entrepreneurship whose contributions strengthen communities and expand access to opportunity. Kennedy’s recognition as a Male Ally reflects growing awareness that inclusive leadership and partnership are essential to advancing women’s empowerment and long term community wellbeing.

Colleagues and partners describe his leadership style as grounded, strategic, and collaborative. He prioritizes listening to community leaders, supporting organizational capacity, and aligning resources with initiatives that demonstrate sustained commitment to equity and opportunity.

As philanthropy continues evolving, leaders like Kennedy are helping redefine how funding supports education, literacy, and leadership development for future generations. His work demonstrates how coordinated investment and community partnership can strengthen systems that shape long term mobility and stability.

Through his continued leadership at the Schott Foundation and across national nonprofit networks, Roland Kennedy Jr. remains focused on expanding access, strengthening institutions, and supporting the organizations working every day to build brighter pathways for boys, families, and communities while championing the advancement of women and girls as a committed ally.