YMCA of Greensboro Honored as a 2026 Triad Business Journal Leader in Diversity
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Greensboro, N.C., June 18, 2026—The YMCA of Greensboro has been recognized by Triad Business Journal as a recipient of the 2026 Leaders in Diversity Award in the Nonprofits & Government Agencies category. The award honors organizations that demonstrate an ongoing commitment to fostering belonging, expanding opportunity and strengthening communities through inclusive leadership and engagement.
The recognition reflects decades of intentional work by the YMCA of Greensboro to create welcoming spaces where people of all backgrounds, abilities, ages and life experiences can connect, grow and thrive.
“There's a lot of history wrapped up in this recognition for us. Our Hayes-Taylor branch has roots in the Civil Rights movement, and that history reminds us every day why this work matters,” says Rhonda Anderson, President & CEO of YMCA of Greensboro. “We don't do it for awards. We do it because everybody, no matter their story, deserves a place to walk in and feel like they belong. If this recognition shines a light on that effort, I'm grateful, but the real credit goes to our staff and volunteers who show up for our community every single day.”
The YMCA of Greensboro has long been recognized as a leader in advancing belonging and community engagement. The association was the 90th YMCA in the nation to join YMCA of the USA's Diversity Inclusion & Global Innovation Network, now known as the Global Relations and Community Engagement (GRACE) Network. Through this work, the Y has strengthened its ability to build meaningful connections across diverse communities and ensure programs remain responsive to community needs.
The organization has also invested in creating opportunities for dialogue and learning. In partnership with NCCJ of the Piedmont Triad and the Racial Equity Institute, the YMCA of Greensboro helped develop the 8:46 Series, a virtual community learning initiative that engaged nearly 1,400 participants in conversations about race, empathy and social change. The series created space for honest discussion and reinforced the Y's belief that understanding and learning from one another strengthens communities.
Internally, the YMCA of Greensboro works to ensure equitable opportunities for leadership development and advancement. The association conducts regular pay equity analyses, invests in professional development through Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) assessments and Racial Equity Institute training, and encourages participation in the YMCA's Emerging Multicultural Leadership Experience (EMLE) and Regional Emerging Multicultural Leadership Experience (REMLE). In 2024, YMCA of Greensboro staff members served as REMLE trainers and one team member was recognized as an Emerging Leader.
The YMCA also fosters a culture of listening and shared ownership through employee engagement surveys, town hall meetings and stakeholder conversations that help shape organizational priorities and strengthen the team member experience. These efforts support a workplace where every voice is valued and where diverse perspectives contribute to stronger decision-making and community impact.
The Leaders in Diversity Awards celebration will be held on June 18, 2026, at North Carolina A&T State University's Student Center Ballroom. The event recognizes individuals and organizations whose leadership and commitment are helping create stronger, more connected communities across the Triad.