Adria Moss

Class of 2020
Women of Color LeadStrong

Senior Manager, Community Development Group
Charles Schwab Bank

I remember the moment I heard the voicemail when Safi told me that I had been accepted into the Women of Color LeadStrong Fellowship. I was immediately overwhelmed with tears of joy, of shock, and of gratitude. I never thought a circle supporting women of color in the social sector would exist and let alone, that I would be a part of it. 

I entered the cohort as the Manager of Pacific Community Ventures’ loan fund (PCV). In my role at PCV, I was relentless in finding ways to provide capital for small business owners of color who had been barred access from traditional financing institutions. I loved waking up with purpose each day, however, I knew something was missing. As soon as I arrived at our opening retreat, I knew I had found what I needed. Safi and Sonia welcomed us in by going around the room and describing why each person was selected for the cohort. As someone who has always struggled with imposter syndrome, feeling seen gave me confidence in a way I had not felt before. From there, we created an altar of personal items that represented our cultures, our families, and our motivations. We had been brought together by our fight for racial, social, and economic justice and the trust that we formed within those first few days served us for the rest of our time together.

Over the years with the Women of Color Leadstrong Fellowship, I leaned on the momentum and strength of these incredible women to guide my own journey, both personally and professionally. My coach taught me how to take risks in self-expression and find my voice which guided me through conversations that led to my promotions. Dialogues within smaller circles pushed me to reevaluate where I needed support and where I saw my career-path leading which helped me switch organizations. Empathy and love in the circle grounded me when my father passed away and when COVID-19 was destroying our communities. Challenges I faced were never met alone because of these women.

Since graduating from the cohort, I have joined The Community Development Group at Charles Schwab Bank where I am able to support non-profits that are similar to where I previously worked. I attribute much of my confidence, growth, and ability to approach my life’s work from a different perspective to the experience I had through the fellowship.