October 2020
The Highland Project was founded by Gabrielle Wyatt— “Black women are essential to the prosperity of this nation and must be centered in leadership. This is why The Highland Project was created: to invest in the sustainability, joy, healing, and impact of Black women leaders.”
Meet Gabrielle
June 2021
The Highland Project publicly launches— “There is a great need for the imagination, creativity and heart of leaders of color to transform our society. I believe that The Highland Project really does have the mix of resources and supports in place to deeply meet these leaders and help them to realize their visions for a transformed world.” - Darlene Nipper, Board Member and CEO of Rockwood Leadership Institute
November 2021
The inaugural Highland Leaders are announced— “Believe in, give opportunity to, and trust the talent, ingenuity, ability, and power of Black women. We are amazing! We have carried this country from the beginning. We don’t need to be carried, but we deserve to be lifted! We have made and make others rise — and we deserve to rise!” - Carolene Mays, Inaugural Highland Leader and President of Black Leadership + Legacies, Inc.
Cohort One
March 2022
Inaugural Highland Leaders began gathering in community— “Dream with your people. Stand with your people. Build with your people. Conspire with your people.” - Ramatu Bangura, Inaugural Highland Leader and Executive Director of the Children's Rights Innovation Fund
November 2022
The coalition of Highland leaders expands with the announcement of Cohort Two— “Seven generations from now, the world that I imagine is one where we can collectively say that our Black children are well.” - Jocelyn J. Stephens, Cohort Two Highland Leader and Chief Strategy Officer for RISE Colorado
Cohort Two
The Name
The name “The Highland Project” comes from the Founder’s memories of her late father’s family who spent their summers at Highland Beach, a Black enclave born out of segregation that was a refuge for rest and community for Black leaders. The term “highland” means the top of a mountain, but unlike a peak, it is a flat space where many can gather. Wyatt aspires for The Highland Project to be a close-knit community where Black leaders can rest, sustain one another, and build power.