Board Director, Youth Development
Reports To: Board President
Term: Three-Year Term, renewable
Time Commitment: An average of 10 hours per month, plus board and committee meetings
Classification: Volunteer, Non-Paid Board Member
To apply, click here by Monday November 10, 2025
The Azzim Dukes Initiative, a registered 510(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by Maleek Jackson, is enhancing the health, well-being, and safety of Philadelphia’s young people through mentoring, meals, and the fitness and socioemotional benefits of boxing, without the risks associated with sparring. We believe that every kid is a contender, and the best defense is knowing your options. We are a lean organization with a modest budget and do not have a full-time paid staff member dedicated solely to communications. We therefore rely on a dedicated board and volunteer corps to execute our mission.
Position Summary
The Board Director, Youth Development, is a highly strategic and hands-on member of the Board of Directors, responsible for providing expert oversight and governance for all youth programming. This role ensures that our programs are delivered with a trauma-informed approach, are culturally relevant to the youth we serve, and are structured for long-term impact, even with limited resources. The current youth programming includes an after-school and weekend program (12 hours per week) and summer camp (3 weeks) for young people ages 8-17. All of our program participants are young people of great promise, and their families also endure at least one challenge that increases the odds that gun violence will impact them. Roughly 40% of our families receive public assistance, and nearly all identify as African American and/or Latino. ADI is seeking to add at least one more programming location and expand programming to younger children. This position acts as the primary liaison between the Board and the program staff and volunteers, including a program manager and boxing coaches. This position is part of the Executive Committee of the Board.
Key Responsibilities
1. Program Strategy & Oversight
● In collaboration with the Founder (Maleek Jackson) and Board President, lead the development of a multi-year Youth Development strategy that aligns with ADI’s mission and financial capacity, focusing on measurable outcomes for youth (including in the areas of socio-emotional development and academics).
● Oversee and advise on the evolution of program content to ensure it is high-quality, engaging, and culturally sustaining.
● Support the development of a data-informed evaluation framework to track participant progress and communicate outcomes to funders and partners.
● Establish and review performance indicators to evaluate program effectiveness, youth safety, and community reach, and report findings and recommendations to the full Board.
● Advocate within the Board for the resources (financial, volunteer, and infrastructural) necessary to maintain and enhance high-quality youth programming.
2. Equity & Trauma-Informed Practice
● Ensure all programming is designed and delivered with a deep understanding of the unique cultural and historical contexts of the Black and Brown communities we serve.
● Ensure that trauma-informed principles extend to staff and volunteer support, fostering an environment that promotes reflection and resilience.
● Serve as the Board's champion for trauma-informed approaches, ensuring that the principles of safety, trust, peer support, collaboration, empowerment, and cultural sensitivity are embedded in all program policies, volunteer training, and youth interactions.
● Review and recommend updates, and oversee the practices of child protection, mandated reporting, and program safety policies to maintain the highest standards of youth well-being.
● While our kids are more likely to be impacted by trauma, it does not define them. This board lead must understand the challenges that our families face, and create programming that highlights their gifts, potential, and bright futures.
3. Operational & Resource Management Guidance
● Advise the Board Treasurer and Board President on best practices for maximizing program impact and efficiency within a modest budget, including identifying low-cost, high-impact programming models.
● Provide strategic counsel to staff on effective methods for recruiting, training, and retaining program volunteers and mentors, particularly those with experience in youth development and community engagement.
● Identify opportunities for cross-sector collaboration (education, workforce development, mental health) to expand ADI’s ecosystem of support.
● Act as a representative of the organization to external partners (schools, community centers, peer non-profits) to explore collaborations that can expand program reach without increasing financial overhead.
4. Board Governance Duties
● Attend all scheduled Board meetings and serve on the Executive Committee.
● Contribute to annual organizational planning and review program metrics to ensure alignment with ADI’s long-term strategic goals.
● Maintain fidelity to all legal and fiduciary responsibilities required of a Board Director, including those outlined in ADI’s Bylaws.
● Act as an ambassador and advocate for the organization’s mission to the broader community.
Qualifications and Experience
● Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in developing, leading, or advising after-school, weekend, and/or summer youth programming.
● Proven experience and commitment to working directly with and serving Black and Brown communities; demonstrable cultural competence and humility are essential.
● Deep knowledge of and ability to apply trauma-informed practices and/or positive youth development frameworks in an organizational setting.
● Experience working with non-profit organizations characterized by a modest budget and limited dedicated staff, requiring a focus on cost-effective, high-impact strategies.
● Exceptional analytical, advisory, and communication skills, with the ability to translate strategic vision into actionable program guidelines.
● Deep connection to or understanding of the Philadelphia community
● A passion for ADI’s mission and a commitment to advancing its impact.