GREENVILLE, S.C. – Noel Brooks, Habitat for Humanity of Greenville’s Director of Development, will spend this Fall learning skills to make the community stronger in the Diversity Leaders Initiative (DLI) from Furman University’s Riley Institute.
Brooks has been with Habitat Greenville since 2016 and oversees the major fundraising campaigns and planning for this nonprofit dedicated to building affordable, energy-efficient homes throughout the community. A graduate of Clearwater Christian College, Brooks previously spent eight years as a development director at a school in Georgia.
In this award-winning program, class members are selected through a rigorous application and interview process after being nominated by existing graduates of the program, known as Riley Fellows. They are accepted based on a variety of factors, including their interest in and commitment to the program and their capacity to create impact within their organizations and communities. Each class is crafted to reflect South Carolina’s demographic makeup.
Brooks will take part in a highly interactive curriculum consisting of case studies, scenario analyses, and other experiential learning tools that maximize interaction and discussion among classmates and facilitate productive relationships. Working alongside classmates, Brooks will also develop a capstone project that raises awareness of community needs.
DLI classes are facilitated by expert Juan Johnson, an independent consultant who was The Coca-Cola Company’s first-ever vice president for diversity strategy.
“DLI is unique among South Carolina’s leadership programs,” Johnson said. “In addition to developing new relationships and affecting positive change in their communities, participants gain deep knowledge of how to effectively manage and lead diverse workers, clients, and constituents.”
Once participants of this class graduate in December and become Riley Fellows, they join a powerful cross-sector network of South Carolinians that includes corporate CEOs, legislators, superintendents, religious and nonprofit heads, and business and community leaders.
Now in its twentieth year, the program equips participants with tools and perspectives to leverage diversity to improve organizational outcomes and drive social and economic progress in South Carolina. Brooks is one of 35 individuals to be a part of the 34th Upstate cohort.
About Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County:
Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County opened its doors in 1985 to bring families, community partners, and volunteers together to construct affordable, energy-efficient homes that help families build strength, stability, and self-reliance. As of May 2023, Habitat Greenville has completed the construction of 405 homes. Habitat Greenville received the 2017 Builder of the Year award from EarthCraft, and in recognition of financial health, accountability, and transparency, maintains a 4-Star Charity status by Charity Navigator. Habitat Greenville ReStores are located at 3033 Wade Hampton Boulevard in Taylors and 1818 Woodruff Rd., Greenville, SC 29607. Call 864-312-5016 for free donation pickups.
Learn more at www.habitatgreenville.org.
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