NYC Regional Program Director

Company Description Black Girls Smile Inc. (BGS) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting positive mental health and educational programming for young Black females. Founded in 2012 by Lauren Carson, BGS focuses on ensuring that young Black individuals feel supported, informed, and empowered to lead mentally healthy lives. The organization’s mission is rooted in research, community input, and lived experience that highlight the underserved mental health needs of young Black women. BGS envisions a society where mental wellness is normalized and openly discussed, and where all individuals, including young Black females, have access to the education, supports, and resources they need to thrive. Team members join a mission-driven environment that centers equity, wellness, and community impact.

About Black Girls Smile

Black Girls Smile (BGS) is a national nonprofit dedicated to the mental wellness of Black girls, women, and gender-diverse individuals. We show up in schools, community spaces, and virtual environments — providing evidence-informed mental health programming, therapy access, and peer support that centers Black women and girls at every turn.

Our work spans New York City, Atlanta, and virtual programming nationwide — and we're growing. With SF and Miami expansion on the horizon, this is a pivotal moment to join BGS and help us build the infrastructure for national impact.

Our Brooklyn Community Space (BK Space) in Bedford-Stuyvesant is BGS's NYC anchor — a culturally affirming hub for support groups, wellness workshops, healing-centered activations, and community events for Black girls, women, parents, and caregivers.

The Role

We're looking for a relationship-builder, community connector, and program leader to own BGS's New York City presence. As NYC Regional Program Director, you will be the face of BGS in New York — managing school partnerships, activating the BK Community Space, leading community events, and building the network of organizations that help us reach more Black girls and women across the five boroughs.

This is not a desk job. You'll be in schools, in community spaces, and at events — building trust, showing up consistently, and creating the conditions for BGS programming to thrive. You'll manage the NYC Program Coordinator, report to the Strategic Program Director, and work in close partnership with our Marketing & Comms, Evaluation & Impact, and Development teams.

If you've ever wished an organization like BGS existed when you were growing up — or if you've spent your career trying to build one — this role is for you.

What You'll Do

Lead school-based programming across NYC

• Build and manage relationships with NYC schools — expanding BGS's school partnerships from 2 to 4–6 active schools in year one
• Oversee implementation of BGS's mental health literacy and group coaching programs in schools, working with trained facilitators to deliver culturally responsive sessions
• Coordinate with school administrators, counselors, and DOE contacts to ensure program access, scheduling, and renewal
• Recruit, schedule, and support facilitators for all NYC school-based sessions

Activate and sustain the BK Community Space

• Establish and maintain a consistent weekly or bi-weekly programming cadence at BK Space — including support groups, wellness workshops, yoga, meditation, and community events
• Lead BGS's signature NYC events — Safe Space Saturday (3x/year) and Kitchen Table Talks (2x/year) — from concept through execution
• Serve as BGS's community presence in Brooklyn and beyond — attending local events, building relationships with neighborhood organizations, and representing the mission authentically

Build and steward community partnerships

• Develop 3 new NYC community partnerships in year one with organizations serving Black girls, women, and families
• Manage existing relationships, including Girls Inc. NYC and Girls for Change, ensuring BGS is delivering quality programming and maintaining strong partner stewardship
• Negotiate and maintain partnership agreements (MOUs) and ensure all partnership deliverables are met on time

Manage your team and keep data clean

• Directly supervise the NYC Program Coordinator — providing weekly guidance, coaching, and performance support
• Ensure participant attendance, survey data, and program documentation are tracked accurately and submitted monthly
• Collaborate with Marketing & Comms to promote every event with adequate lead time — no last-minute asks
• Manage your NYC program budget and expenses in line with BGS financial policies

Who You Are

We're not looking for a perfect resume. We're looking for someone who gets it — someone who understands what it means to show up for Black girls and women, and who has the skills and experience to build something real in NYC.

You bring:

• 5 years of program leadership experience in a nonprofit, community organization, or youth-serving environment
• Demonstrated experience building school or community partnerships in New York City — you know how to get in the door and stay there
• Experience managing at least one direct report and supporting their growth
• Strong understanding of mental health, wellness, and the specific experiences of Black girls and women
• A track record of hitting participation or enrollment targets through proactive outreach and relationship management
• Strong organizational skills — you can hold multiple programs, partnerships, and deadlines without dropping anything
• Clear, confident communication skills — in writing, in conversation, and in community spaces

It's a bonus if you have:

• Existing relationships with NYC schools, DOE staff, or Brooklyn-based CBOs
• Experience with school-based mental health, SEL, or trauma-informed programming
• Familiarity with program data tools like Airtable, Asana, or SurveyMonkey
• Deep roots in or connection to Bedford-Stuyvesant and surrounding communities

What We Offer

• Health benefits
• $500 monthly wellness stipend
• Flexible hybrid working arrangement with required Brooklyn community presence
• A leadership role in a growing national organization — as BGS expands to SF and Miami, this role grows with us
• A team that is deeply mission-driven, collaborative, and invested in each other's success
• The opportunity to build something — NYC is BGS's largest market and this role has real room to shape what that looks like

Our Commitment

Black Girls Smile is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from Black women, women of color, and gender-diverse individuals. We believe lived experience is expertise — and we hire accordingly.

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and a cover letter that speaks to two things: your experience building community or school partnerships in NYC, and why BGS's mission resonates with you personally. We read every cover letter.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We are hiring urgently for a Q2 2026 start — early applications are strongly encouraged.