Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1525409
6 Worcester Business Journal | August 19, 2024 | wbjournal.com Haywood left the security of her 9-to-5 position in higher education to set out on her own, launching her equi- ty-based consulting firm in April 2023. Today, Elevating Access offers one-on-one and group coaching focusing on the intersectional needs of professionals of color, in addition to consulting support for employers looking to bolster equi- table employment engagement and colleges and universities looking to better post-graduate and alumni outcomes. Within her first 10 months of opening her firm, Haywood generated six figures in revenue. Her coaching clients, who are all women of color, have increased their salaries by an average of $22,000. Haywood hosts a free monthly community gathering space geared toward women of color seeking what she refers to as sisterhood grounded in solidarity. She has consulted with NASA on an agency equity panel. Prior to Elevating Access, Haywood rose through the ranks at Clark University in Worcester, ending her tenure as assistant provost for organizational learning. During her time at Clark, she designed and implemented a summer bridge program, resulting in 100% retention of two consecu- tive cohorts of first-generation students of color and increased gradua- tion rates. - M.K.M. Would you rather travel in time to meet your ancestors or your descendants? Whichever will have the greatest benefit to our collective future & be least disruptive to the space-time continuum. Go-to restaurant for a business lunch? Root & Press. Love the vibe, the books, and diversity of food options meeting an array of dietary needs. What piece of advice guides you? Don't fight the feeling, fight the fear. Hayley Haywood, 37 Founder & chief equity officer Elevating Access, in Worcester Residence: Worcester Birthplace: New York Colleges: Clark University; The University of Maryland, College Park; University of Southern California Burks has left her mark on Worcester. Literally. She has collaboratively painted more than 20 murals throughout the city and has been commissioned to create more than 45 works of art total to be displayed across 18 states. Using art to express not only her voice, but the voices of those in under-resourced and marginalized communities, Burks has partnered with Worcester-based nonprofits including Legendary Legacies, Main South Commu- nity Development Corp., and the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester to conceptualize, design, and paint community-engaged murals. As part of her ongoing effort to support those up-and-coming in the space, Burks opened a small gallery attached to her studio space dedicated to showcasing the work of local artists. In 2024, Burks received the Community Art Educator of the Year award from the Massachusetts Art Education Association. As an educator at Cambridge Public Schools since 2018, she has worked to collabo- ratively develop anti-racist curriculum and professional development opportunities for her students. She has been a member of Creative Hub Worcester's board and the nonprofit's lead art curator since 2020 and is Main IDEA's resident lead mural artist, working with Worcester youth to co-paint public murals. - Story by Mica Kanner-Mascolo For an entire year, would you rather give up your cell phone or our favorite food? My favorite food. Being able to shout at Siri the secretary is much too convenient. Where is the best coffee in Central Massachusetts? I love the iced tiramisu oat milk latte from Infused Cafe. Your next goal? Carve out time for myself. Jennessa Burks, 35 Artist, muralist, and educator Jennessa Art, in Worcester Residence: West Boylston Birthplace: Worcester Colleges: Worcester State University, Harvard Graduate School of Education 4 0 U N D E R F O R T Y PHOTO | MATT WRIGHT Jennessa Art studio, in West Boylston