Meet LM Alaiyo “Dr. A” Foster, a trailblazer at the intersection of education, philanthropy, and social justice, currently serving as the President and CEO of the Black United  Fund of Oregon (BUF-OR). Also, an esteemed adjunct professor at Portland State University, Dr. A’s journey is marked by a commitment to advancing holistic care and justice.

In her role, Dr. A recognizes the decussate nature of education, public health, and social justice. Understanding that social determinants of health are intricately connected, she champions initiatives that address the comprehensive well-being of individuals and families. Dr. A’s approach involves supporting public services through BUF-OR’s philanthropic and community-based efforts. This includes a focus on providing fiscal sponsorship to smaller grassroots nonprofit organizations & events of various foci, including mental health, the arts, and even Black excellence.

A Certified Community Health Worker, Dr. A remains closely connected to the public health space, never straying too far from her roots. As a leader in BUF-OR, she navigates the complexities of supporting marginalized communities, acknowledging that various facets are always at play. Join us in exploring the impactful journey of LM Alaiyo “Dr. A” Foster, Ed.D., NCC, QMHP, CCHW, as she continues to shape a future of social, educational, and health justice.

Educational and Professional Journey

Dr. A’s journey in the professional world began at the age of 9, and her first formal opportunity arose at 14 through a summer internship at the Port of Portland. Notably, her initial professional experiences were shaped by her father, and Black and/or women she admired, providing crucial inspiration and encouragement. Working part-time during secondary education, Dr. A pursued a pre-med major, obtaining a CNA licensure upon high school graduation. Despite initially following a pre-med undergraduate path, her passion shifted towards Education and Philanthropy during her Graduate-level post-secondary academic journey.

Dr. A’s professional trajectory spans various roles in philanthropy, public health, and education. She has served as a tutor, program aide, classroom teacher, school counselor, program coordinator/manager/director,and currently holds the position of President & CEO. Additionally, she serves as an Adjunct Professor at Portland State University in the Department of Black Studies, School of Gender, Race & Nations. Dr. A’s educational background is extensive, with a total of fivedegrees and multiple certifications, including a Doctorateof Education from Lewis & Clark College Graduate School of Education & Counseling, focusing on Leadership and an Initial Administrative Licensure in the state of Oregon.

Her dissertation, titled “Dreaming Bititi’s Harvest: An Exploratory Study of Afrocentric Rites of Passage as a Means of Mitigating HIV Transmission among Adolescent Metropolitan African-American Females,” reflects her commitment to addressing critical issues in her community. Dr. A also holds a Master of Science in Human Services from Capella University, a Master of Arts in Education Counseling from Portland State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Black Studies and Spanish Language, as well as a Certificate in Black Studies, from Portland State University. Additionally, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Portland State University.

Dr. A emphasizes the on-the-ground and in-the-field training she received through various roles and educational experiences, shaping her leadership approach at BUF-OR. Learning from both positive and negative examples, she has honed her leadership style, incorporating visionary leadership while avoiding certain pitfalls. Dr. A’s diverse educational and professional background has uniquely positioned her to lead the Black United Fund of Oregon with a comprehensive and impactful approach.

Identity and Intersectionality

Dr. A reflects on the intersections of her identity, emphasizing that being born Black, femme, and Queer has been a foundational aspect of her journey. From an early age, she sensed a power dynamic that wasn’t equitably distributed, recognizing the impact of her race and later her sexual orientation. Despite facing mistreatment based on these aspects of her identity, Dr. A grapples with the challenges of working with those who may be operating in ignorance and bias. Her parents instilled the value of volunteerism as a family priority, leading to over 1,100 hours of community service before college applications. These volunteer experiences exposed her to diverse groups and scenarios, shaping her commitment to social justice. Dr. A understood the responsibility that came with her gifts and, despite being marginalized herself, became a reluctant leader initially. Placed in leadership roles she didn’t initially trust, she learned to leverage these positions to voice her own and others’ unheard needs, values, and validity. Throughout her life, Dr. A has faced personal and professional injustices, experiencing instances of being silenced. However, she emphasizes that it’s not just key experiences but the everyday decisions, determination, overall resilience, and tenacity that define her journey. Despite facing challenges, she credits her parents and family with preventing her from succumbing to societal stereotypes, fostering a sense of self-worth and resilience that propels her forward.

Strategic Evolution and Growth

Dr. A finds leading BUF-OR enthralling due to its stability in core services while maintaining the nimbleness to undertake larger, standalone projects that benefit the community. Her strategic vision evolves with BUF-OR’s growth.

For example, five years ago, the focus was on stabilization, operating with a small team. Celebrating the 40th anniversary in FY 2023-24, BUF-OR has more than doubled in size and is strategically aligned for further growth. Dr. A aims to double the staff size again in the coming year.

Collaborating with the staff and executive board, she is crafting the next 5-year strategy

screen, emphasizing growth, deepening existing departments, highlighting lesser-known programs/services, and creating new initiatives. The overarching mission of the Black United Fund of Oregon (BUF-OR) is to “assist in the social and economic development of Oregon’s underserved communities and to contribute to a broader understanding of ethnic and culturally diverse groups.”

Advocacy for Inclusive Equity

Dr. A emphasizes her commitment to addressing not only the obvious intersectionalities within her physical body but also those that must be declared or sought out. She actively works to promote justice, equity, diversity & inclusion (JEDI), drawing on her experiences as both an advocate for these communities and a member of them. Her approach to leadership is rooted in transformational and transparent strategies, centered on authenticity, active listening, connection, and partnership.

Dr. A’s work is guided by principles that focus on increasing access to resources, fostering equity (distinguished from equality and inclusion, promoting diversity, encouraging participation, and upholding the premise of basic human rights for all. These principles form the central tenets of her work, reflecting her dedication to creating positive change and advocating for social justice within diverse communities.

Guiding Leadership Theories

Dr. A acknowledges foundational theories that influence but do not dictate her work. These theories were learned early on through lived experiences and further refined through academic exploration. Her leadership and decision-making are guided by a combination of spiritual intuition, the voices and input of others, the most up-todate information available, and the ultimate end-game goal within a specified time frame.

Dr. A considers herself fortunate to possess both a highlevel vision and the ability for detailed execution. Embracing a collaborative approach, she believes there is no “I” in team, consistently seeking to create a sustainable vision that allows for real-time incorporation of environmental shifts. This adaptive and inclusive mindset reflects her commitment to effective leadership and the success of her initiatives.

Transformative Commitment

Dr. A expresses an unequivocal belief in her work. Viewing herself as a spiritual being having a human experience, she recognizes resilience as inherent in her DNA. Despite encountering ignorance, she emphasizes the transformative power of being the change one wishes to see in the world. At the Black United Fund of Oregon, the focus is on equipping, empowering, encouraging, and engaging the community while remaining open to exploring the impactful ways BUF-OR can continue to make a difference. Witnessing genuine change, excitement, real-world impact, and “aha” moments in education serves as strong motivation. For Dr. A, this is not just a job but a career, and the opportunity to be innovative and impactful is of utmost importance. The meaningful and positive outcomes of her work contribute significantly to her motivation and commitment.

The Three Pillars

As part of the 2019 Foundation-wide restructure, Dr. A re-organized key programs and projects around three pillars of service: Philanthropy, Post-Secondary Options, and Community Justice & Equity. These pillars are supported by a dynamic Finance department team. Dr. A provides details about each department:

• Philanthropy (Community Giving & Volunteer Services): This department offers grants & sponsorships and runs a nonprofit leadership program, primarily funded through workplace giving initiatives (BUF-OR serves as an umbrella organization, serving as an agent to 10-15 charitable organizations to which it disburses funds). This department also houses volunteer services programming.
• Post-Secondary Options: This department includes Mentor4Success, scholarship writing workshops, BUF Talks® (event series brings guest speakers from local businesses and educational partners to network with youth and discuss their career paths and experiences as professionals in the workplace), and features an Alumni Network.
• Community Justice & Equity: This department equips and empowers local entrepreneurs, providing culturally-specific support and access to tools needed to build, grow, and sustain small businesses. It includes the Emerging Entrepreneur leadership program.

The long-term goal of all these services is to increase joy and capacitation for wealth-building within Black and other melanated communities.

Advice for Aspiring Change

Dr. A offers valuable advice for individuals aspiring to make a positive impact in their communities and advance social justice causes, especially those just beginning their careers in nonprofit and advocacy work:

• Believe in Your Unique Self: Embrace your uniqueness and recognize that your contributions are valuable. No one can do what you do in the same way.
• Partnership and Collaboration: While collaboration is essential, understand that a “no” can sometimes be a blessing. Appreciate the value of partnerships but be discerning in your choices.
• Embrace Learning and Growth: Be humble and approach opportunities and experiences with an open mind. Ask questions, never stop learning, and be open to growth.
• Accept Starting Point: Understand that you may not start at the top, and that’s okay. Stretch yourself, be comfortable with discomfort, and see it as part of the learning process.
• Practice Good Mental Hygiene: Balance is crucial. Take care of yourself, practice self-care, and recognize the importance of maintaining your mental well-being while serving others.

Dr. A emphasizes the early understanding of the balance between self-care and caring for others, highlighting the significance of taking care of oneself in the journey of making a positive impact.

Balancing Growth and Impact for Lasting Community Value

Success for Dr. A transcends figurative measures, finding true value within the community. Internal impact matters as much as external; staff well-being and growth are as paramount – as they are members of the community as well. The approach aims at reasonable growth outcomes, building on past successes without solely chasing dollars. Long-term investors, understanding the challenge of immediate quantification, support the mission. Every contribution, regardless of size, is valued, adding up to achieve impactful outcomes for the community.

Please visit: http://www.bufor.org