For Immediate Release: June 9, 2015

Contact:
Valerie F. Leonard, Expert in Community and Organizational Development
consulting@valeriefleonard.com; 773-571-3886

Valerie F. Leonard, an expert in community and organizational development, will host

the Nonprofit "U" blog radio talk show on Monday afternoons, from 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., on
the BlogTalkRadio network, beginning June 22, 2015. Nonprofit "U" is a forum where nonprofit
stakeholders can discuss the latest developments in the sector, and increase their capacity to
serve their clients and build sustainable communities. The Nonprofit "U" blog radio talk show is
the first series of its kind in the Chicago Metropolitan Area, and one of very few in the country.
"After talking with nonprofit stakeholders from around the City of Chicago and beyond, it's very
clear that the time for this show is now", Leonard said. "Emerging nonprofit leaders don't
always have access to the more seasoned professionals and policy makers in the industry" . As a
result, Leonard says, "they operate in the dark and make a lot of unnecessary mistakes".
Nonprofit "U" will provide listeners the opportunity to ask questions by phone, social
media or live chat. Leonard's goal for every show is to raise awareness of issues that impact
nonprofits' ability to serve their clients and to provide actionable solutions. At the same time,
leaders of organizations that serve nonprofits will have a better sense for how best to meet their
needs.
Brenda Palms Barber, CEO of the North Lawndale Employment Network on Chicago's
West Side, will be the featured guest on Brenda's Secret Sauce, the first episode of Nonprofit
4111 West 21st Place Chicago, IL 60623
Phone: 773-571-3886 E-Mail: consulting@valeriefleonard.com
Website: www.valeriefleonard.com

"U". Palms Barber moved to Chicago 15 years ago and started the North Lawndale Employment
Network to assist returning citizens transition back to society through employment and other
resources. She found a community that ranked in the top 6 in the state with respect to prisoners
returning home. Today, her clients as a group have a recidivism rate of 6% compared to 43%
for the country. Under her leadership, NLEN has grown from 2 to 21 employees, and provides
job training and financial literacy to over 2,000 men and women. She launched the Sweet
Beginnings social enterprise, which produces local honey and skincare products under
the beelove brand, where 383 returning citizens have been employed, since 2007.
What's in Brenda's secret sauce? "Call-in to the show at (347) 884-8121 and find out", Leonard
said. The show will stream live from BlogTalkRadio.com/nonprofit_u.

4111 West 21st Place Chicago, IL 60623

Phone: 773-571-3886 E-Mail: consulting@valeriefleonard.com
Website: www.valeriefleonard.com