From the Desk of Letesha Nelson

Letesha Nelson joined the Goodman Community Center as its President and Executive Director on Jan. 25, 2021. Letesha brings extensive experience in the nonprofit world, as well as a genuine and compassionate spirit. We couldn't be more excited to have her in our family.

This page serves as a digital home for Letesha's latest letter to the community, a well as features that offer a glimpse into GCC's leader. Check back every other week for a new letter, or subscribe to GCC emails to get the letters right in your inbox.

Community Chats with Letesha Nelson

In this series of conversations, Letesha covers topics of interest and relevant to participants and supporters of the Goodman Community Center.

Episode 4 | Letesha's Vision for Goodman's Future

Letesha Nelson joined the Goodman Community Center as our President a little more than a year ago. In that short time, she's made great strides in strengthening lives and securing futures, including maintaining operations during an uncertain pandemic, engaging our youth directly with leadership opportunities and so much more. In this Community Chat, Letesha is joined in conversation by Goodman board member Dulce Maria Danel. They talked about what Letesha’s learned in her first year, as well as what her vision is for the future of the Goodman Center.

Episode 3 | Teaching Our Youngest Learners

We take early childhood education seriously at the Goodman Center, and we’re fortunate to have some really strong community partnerships to help in our efforts to get our youngest students off to a great start. In this Community Chat hosted on May 18, Letesha was joined by Goodman Center Early Childcare Education Partnership Manager Miranda Starr, ECE Manager Lindsay Kulow and representatives from our partner organizations Madison Children’s Museum and Anesis Therapy.

Watch It Here

Episode 2 | Youth Voice & Social Justice with Lussier LOFT Staff and a Student

On April 14, Goodman Center President Letesha was joined by Alejandra, the Assistant Director of our Lussier LOFT teen center; Arthur, Middle School Manager; and Deejai, a TEENworks program participant to discuss what the Goodman Center is doing to give youth the skills they need to advocate for themselves. The change we want to see in our community starts right here, and based on what we’re seeing, the future is bright.

Watch It Here

Episode 1 | Talking with Former Executive Director Becky Steinhoff

In this first Community Chat, Letesha and Becky covered an array of topics, including being a woman leader, COVID-19, International Women's Day and more.

Watch It Here

More Reading

Letesha Nelson is growing community at Goodman

• Madison Magazine profile by Doug Moe

The COVID Pandemic and Children

• Letesha and Goodman Director of Childcare Programs Miranda Starr join a panel to discuss the impact of the pandemic on kids in our community.

Empowering Staff, Engaging Community: Goodman Community Center's new leader shares her experience and vision

• Article by Kimberly Hazen for InBusiness magazine

Verona Neighbor: Meet Goodman Center CEO Letesha Nelson

• Article by Kailey Murphy

Black Oxygen: Goodman Community Center CEO Letesha Nelson

• A conversation with Angela Russell

Letesha Nelson set to forge her own path as new Goodman Community Center executive director

• Article by Ayomi Wolff for Madison 365

Support centers: Madison’s neighborhood and community centers step up as pandemic drags on

• Article by Nicholas Garton for The CapTimes

Goodman Center to host free events introducing new CEO to community

• Article for Madison 365