Sala Udin - Non-profit Work

Non-profit Work

Sala Udin is currently the president and CEO of the Coro Center for Civic Leadership's Pittsburgh chapter. Coro is a national, non-profit, non-partisan educational organization supported by foundations, corporations, and individuals. It was founded in 1942 by Donald Fletcher and Van Duyn Dodge "to train young verterans in the leadership skills necessary to assure that our democratic system of government could more effectively meet the needs of its citizens." Coro now has 6 chapters, including one in San Francisco, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Kansas City, New York, Pittsburgh, and a new Executive Fellows program in Cleveland. 1000-1200 participants nationwide go through Coro programs each year, and at least 10,000 program alumni are currently serving as leaders in local, regional, national, and international businesses, non-profit organizations, governmental agencies, and elected public offices. Coro Pittsburgh's mission statement is as follows: "To advance ethical and effective leaders who share a commitment to civic engagement. We are building a leadership pipeline to foster collaboration within and across Pittsburgh's business, nonprofit, and government sectors." Coro Pittsburgh's vision is as follows: "We envision an inclusive democracy in which people of different backgrounds, views and sectors engage in their communities and work together constructively to improve the quality of life for all." Coro Pittsburgh also notes its core values: experiential learning, building relationships, diversity, whole systems thinking, and teamwork for results.

In addition to his work with Coro, Sala Udin helped to found the August Wilson Center for African American Culture. Prior to its incorporation as a not-for-profit 501(c)3 in 2002, the organization was governed by a group of stakeholders and a steering committee; Udin was both a stakeholder and a member of the steering committee. The steering committee directed the development process for what they envisioned as a cultural center with space for exhibitions, performances, and education. They hoped that it would support growth in entertainment and add social and economic benefit to the region while acting as a landmark attraction for both local residents and tourists. In 2002, "The African American Cultural Center (AACC)" was incorporated as a non-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation by Sala Udin, Dr. Mulugetta Birru, Oliver Byrd, Yvonne Cook, Valerie McDonald Roberts, and Nancy Washington. Udin was the secretary of the original Board of Directors. 4 years later (in 2006), the organization changed its name to the August Wilson Center for African American Culture. The August Wilson Center "engages regional and national audiences in its mission of preserving, presenting, interpreting, celebrating, and shaping the art, culture, and history of African Americans in Western Pennsylvania and people of African American descent throughout the world."