Got a story to tell? We got you!
We craft organizational stories and help leaders authentically tell their own
Our Story
Our Approach
Our Approach
At 4 Da Hood, our story began with a clear vision to confront and dismantle the barriers facing communities of color. Through innovative programming, we set out to highlight the deep-rooted challenges these communities endure, focusing on healing and building community to achieve economic progress and build generational wealth.
Our Approach
Our Approach
Our Approach
We tell stories that spotlight the strengths and resilience of communities of color, turning the focus on their potential and power. We celebrate the rich, diverse narratives of these communities, showcasing how equitable access to educational and employment opportunities can leave a lasting impression for generations.
Our Vision
Our Approach
Our Vision
Comprised of people from the 'hood, our team is all about communities of color thriving, breaking through barriers and creating wealth that lasts for generations. We're passionate about sparking economic upward mobility through storytelling, turning dreams into reality.
Ascending Leaders in Color
Learn how 4 Da Hood's flagship program is making an impact in our communities!
What Folks Are Saying About 4 Da Hood
"I wanted to launch a robust and impactful workforce development program for our women at the YWCA. I brought 4 Da Hood in and Frank's support and approach to design, recommendations, relationship-leveraging, and implementation is first-hand amazing! I truly appreciate and enjoy working with 4 Da Hood!"
"I attended a legit-get-outta-your-comfort-zone session on “Learning Separately to Lead Collectively,” by the one and only Frank Velásquez Jr. His case for giving people of color and white allies separate spaces to relax and learn so that we can come back together to do our best collective work really got me thinking. So many thoughts came up for everyone in the room and Frank was masterful in the way he allowed the group to share and ask questions. This is not a one hour, one time, 'okay I got it, we can check it off,' kind of discussion! I need more time with Frank to dig deeper."
"I attended a legit-get-outta-your-comfort-zone session on “Learning Separately to Lead Collectively,” by the one and only Frank Velásquez Jr. His case for giving people of color and white allies separate spaces to relax and learn so that we can come back together to do our best collective work really got me thinking. So many thoughts came up for everyone in the room and Frank was masterful in the way he allowed the group to share and ask questions. This is not a one hour, one time, 'okay I got it, we can check it off,' kind of discussion! I need more time with Frank to dig deeper."
- Magdalena Verdugo, CEO of YWCA Southern Arizona
"I attended a legit-get-outta-your-comfort-zone session on “Learning Separately to Lead Collectively,” by the one and only Frank Velásquez Jr. His case for giving people of color and white allies separate spaces to relax and learn so that we can come back together to do our best collective work really got me thinking. So many thoughts came up for everyone in the room and Frank was masterful in the way he allowed the group to share and ask questions. This is not a one hour, one time, 'okay I got it, we can check it off,' kind of discussion! I need more time with Frank to dig deeper."
"I attended a legit-get-outta-your-comfort-zone session on “Learning Separately to Lead Collectively,” by the one and only Frank Velásquez Jr. His case for giving people of color and white allies separate spaces to relax and learn so that we can come back together to do our best collective work really got me thinking. So many thoughts came up for everyone in the room and Frank was masterful in the way he allowed the group to share and ask questions. This is not a one hour, one time, 'okay I got it, we can check it off,' kind of discussion! I need more time with Frank to dig deeper."
"I attended a legit-get-outta-your-comfort-zone session on “Learning Separately to Lead Collectively,” by the one and only Frank Velásquez Jr. His case for giving people of color and white allies separate spaces to relax and learn so that we can come back together to do our best collective work really got me thinking. So many thoughts came up for everyone in the room and Frank was masterful in the way he allowed the group to share and ask questions. This is not a one hour, one time, 'okay I got it, we can check it off,' kind of discussion! I need more time with Frank to dig deeper."
- Greg Curtis Wakefield, Life Potential and Leadership Coach
"I walked into Frank's session by accident but after five minutes of hearing his content, I had to stay and even moved up to the front. The Nonprofit Storytelling Conference has been insightful, but also lonely in some ways. As a Black man, I often find myself in (white) spaces like this one and needing to remind myself I am a bridge builder and not alone. Frank's session felt like home as it spoke to changing a broken model. I also noticed how many PoC shared with confidence. Keep doing what you're doing, Frank. It matters."
"I attended a legit-get-outta-your-comfort-zone session on “Learning Separately to Lead Collectively,” by the one and only Frank Velásquez Jr. His case for giving people of color and white allies separate spaces to relax and learn so that we can come back together to do our best collective work really got me thinking. So many thoughts came up for everyone in the room and Frank was masterful in the way he allowed the group to share and ask questions. This is not a one hour, one time, 'okay I got it, we can check it off,' kind of discussion! I need more time with Frank to dig deeper."
"I walked into Frank's session by accident but after five minutes of hearing his content, I had to stay and even moved up to the front. The Nonprofit Storytelling Conference has been insightful, but also lonely in some ways. As a Black man, I often find myself in (white) spaces like this one and needing to remind myself I am a bridge builder and not alone. Frank's session felt like home as it spoke to changing a broken model. I also noticed how many PoC shared with confidence. Keep doing what you're doing, Frank. It matters."
- CW Allen, Director of Marketing and External Relations, Sunshine Gospel Ministries
"I'm thankful Frank continually pushes beyond the (very white) norm of what fundraising has looked like for so many years and unapologetically advocating for community. His session on How to Engage Donors Using Community-Centered Practices at the 2022 Nonprofit Storytelling Conference still lives with me."
""I saw that Frank was one of the speakers at the 2021 Nonprofit Storytelling Conference, and I wanted to show up and hear what he had to talk about. I listened to Frank talk about how to reclaim (BIPOC narratives because of) how it makes people of color feel. That exceeded my expectations by far!"
"I walked into Frank's session by accident but after five minutes of hearing his content, I had to stay and even moved up to the front. The Nonprofit Storytelling Conference has been insightful, but also lonely in some ways. As a Black man, I often find myself in (white) spaces like this one and needing to remind myself I am a bridge builder and not alone. Frank's session felt like home as it spoke to changing a broken model. I also noticed how many PoC shared with confidence. Keep doing what you're doing, Frank. It matters."
- Krystal Marx, Interim Executive Director, Real Change
"I see Frank out there breaking barriers in spaces that are dominated by people who never hear our voices. I’m so proud of the Ascending Leaders in Color program 4 Da Hood program because it truly is one of the ONLY things being done in the DEI space in leadership for people of color."
""I saw that Frank was one of the speakers at the 2021 Nonprofit Storytelling Conference, and I wanted to show up and hear what he had to talk about. I listened to Frank talk about how to reclaim (BIPOC narratives because of) how it makes people of color feel. That exceeded my expectations by far!"
""I saw that Frank was one of the speakers at the 2021 Nonprofit Storytelling Conference, and I wanted to show up and hear what he had to talk about. I listened to Frank talk about how to reclaim (BIPOC narratives because of) how it makes people of color feel. That exceeded my expectations by far!"
- Diana Charbonneau, Corporate Learning Facilitator and Community Connector
""I saw that Frank was one of the speakers at the 2021 Nonprofit Storytelling Conference, and I wanted to show up and hear what he had to talk about. I listened to Frank talk about how to reclaim (BIPOC narratives because of) how it makes people of color feel. That exceeded my expectations by far!"
""I saw that Frank was one of the speakers at the 2021 Nonprofit Storytelling Conference, and I wanted to show up and hear what he had to talk about. I listened to Frank talk about how to reclaim (BIPOC narratives because of) how it makes people of color feel. That exceeded my expectations by far!"
""I saw that Frank was one of the speakers at the 2021 Nonprofit Storytelling Conference, and I wanted to show up and hear what he had to talk about. I listened to Frank talk about how to reclaim (BIPOC narratives because of) how it makes people of color feel. That exceeded my expectations by far!"
- Kenda Sutton-El, Founding Executive Director, Birth in Color RVA
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