Mother and Daughter Make History at 25th Anniversary SELC Conference at Rutgers University

Newark, NJ — This week at the 25th anniversary of the SELC (Social, Equity, Leadership, Conference) Conference at Rutgers University, a mother‑daughter team made a memorable, history‑making appearance that underscored the conference’s theme of intergenerational leadership and community‑rooted equity. The presentation highlighted how lived experience, community stewardship, and place‑based practice combine to cultivate the next generation of nonprofit leaders.

A Moment of Legacy and Leadership

Saundra Prather, CEO of Prathertown Community Development Corporation, joined the conference stage with her daughter to share a powerful, practice‑based account of grassroots leadership. Their session wove together community development strategies, archival stewardship, and hands‑on leadership labs—illustrated by community organic gardens and other place‑based initiatives—that model how organizations can build inclusive, resilient leadership pipelines.

Key Highlights from the Presentation:

Community as Classroom: The duo showcased how community organic gardens and local stewardship projects serve as practical incubators for leadership skills, civic engagement, and intergenerational mentorship.

History Informing Practice: They emphasized the role of historical narratives and archival resources in grounding equity work, ensuring that contemporary strategies are informed by memory and place.

Workforce Motivation: The presentation included a leadership case study demonstrating how mission‑driven practices and community‑centered projects strengthen staff commitment and coalition building.

Inclusive Governance: Practical steps for engaging marginalized communities, compensating participation, and institutionalizing shared decision‑making were shared with attendees.

Voices from the Stage

“Community leadership grows where people are given the tools, space, and trust to lead,” said Saundra Prather. “Working alongside my daughter in this work has shown how intergenerational collaboration deepens both practice and purpose.” Her daughter added, “When history, place, and lived experience guide leadership development, we create pathways that are equitable, sustainable, and rooted in community needs.”

Impact and Next Steps

Attendees left with actionable frameworks for embedding equity into leadership development—ranging from archival integration into training curricula to piloting garden‑based leadership labs. The mother‑daughter presentation reinforced the conference’s broader message: that durable change depends on centering community knowledge, honoring history, and investing in intergenerational learning.

About the SELC Conference

The SELC Conference at Rutgers University convenes leaders, scholars, and practitioners committed to social equity, leadership development, and community stewardship. The 25th anniversary program featured panels, case studies, and practical workshops focused on advancing inclusive governance and community‑rooted solutions.

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