For the second year running, we’re teaming up with Vital Voices Global Partnership to connect and empower a dynamic group of emerging women leaders driving societal change. The Next Movers Program accelerates impact and skill development through six months of peer connections, mentorship, a grants program, and customized training. Over the next few weeks, we’ll share interviews from each of the 2024 Next Movers. You’ll learn what drives their passion for change and how coming together in this unique program makes a real impact on amplifying and scaling their reach. 

Our next 2024 Next Mover, Surayya Walters, who is from the United States and is the founder of iDEIntity. This social enterprise is dedicated to bringing diversity, equity, and inclusion to the startup ecosystem, as well as Innovanoire, an iDEIntity social initiative designed to help young women of color launch entrepreneurial careers and ventures.

We asked her five burning questions about her role in making an impact on her cause and her community:

Tell us more about your nonprofit/social impact venture. How does it make an impact on your community?

iDEIntity is a soon-to-be digital DEI impact hub specializing in providing funding and logistical support for the building of diversity equity and inclusion infrastructure in small and under-resourced organizations. In our first year, we worked with 20 founders and impacted close to 100 individuals via our workshops and programming. We have decided to pivot into building a scalable solution.

When educating people about your organization, what’s your Opening Move?

What comes to mind when you consider the defunding of diversity, equity, and inclusion in organizations across the country; and whether or not this work can be practiced outside of traditional corporate spheres?

What challenges have you faced in your journey, and how have you overcome them?

On my journey, I have overcome immense discrimination due to my race, age, and gender. It isn’t easy to be a young, Black woman and trying to build a social impact tech company. However, instead of getting in the dumps and giving up, I decided to start a community for women of color who faced similar challenges. In turn, iDEIntity has taken on the risk to build a subsidiary organization for women of color called Innovanoire, where we aim to remove the barriers in investment and social capital that halt their progress.

What have you learned so far from the Next Movers program? How has the program influenced your journey as a leader?

From the Next Movers program, I have learned and cultivated various skills in brand strategy, crisis management, storytelling, strategic partnerships and coalition building. This knowledge has been invaluable as I navigate trying to pivot my organization into a more groundbreaking and innovative model. As a leader, Next Movers has connected me with women who have served as inspirations to me through their leadership, resolve, and commitment.

What advice would you give to other women who want to make an impact in their communities?

The advice I would give to other women who want to make an impact in their communities is to keep going and to bring others along the journey with you. Even if you are a solo founder, there are individuals who are willing to volunteer, intern, contract, and assist you in many ways. Reach out and allow help, but don’t quit. Find creative ways to work with others and build a movement around your vision.