BMe Class of 2025

2025 BMe Community Vanguard Honoree

Kelli Williams is honored to be named a 2025 BMe Community Vanguard Honoree, an experience that has been nothing short of transformative.

At a time when Kelli is navigating meaningful personal and professional transitions, the BMe Community created space for deep reflection, healing, and growth. Surrounded by a powerhouse group of Black leaders from across the U.S., who embody excellence, vulnerability, and vision, she was reminded that liberation is a collective effort and joy is a necessary ingredient.

To the BMe team and my fellow 2025 Vanguards: thank you for welcoming me into this powerful community.

Kelli is leaving this experience recharged and more committed than ever to the #NextNarrative one that centers aspirations over limitations and builds toward a future where we all Live. Own. Vote. and Excel. (L.O.V.E.)

Let’s continue the work. Let’s build the future. 💚

About BMe Community

BMe Community, an award-winning 501(c)(3), is ranked #1 by The Bridgespan Group for its intrinsic and multidimensional approach to impact at the leader, community, and systems levels. Top foundations, associations, and corporations turn to BMe to run leadership retreats, summits, and programs for them and their grantees because BMe consistently yields incredibly high trust, collaboration, and impact. The 2025 BMe Vanguard Awards are sponsored by McKnight Foundation and The Ballmer Group. 

For more information on BMe’s impact and offerings visit www.bmecommunity.org.

NameOrganization
Benjamin RobertsHallie Q. Brown Community Center
Brittanny HardyCities United
Danielle MkaliNexus Community Partners
DeAnna CummingsMcKnight Foundation
Denetrick PowersNEOO Partners, Inc.
Dwan DandridgeBlack Leaders Detroit
Edrin WilliamsThe Sanctuary Covenant Church
Jeff PayneHuntington National Bank
Justin ReidCities United
Karl NicholsE3 Alliance
Kelli WilliamsThe BrandLab
Mohammed LawalLawal Scott Erickson Architects, Inc
Renee HargrovePartners for Rural Impact