CEP Announces Exciting New Shared Leadership Model to Accelerate Mission for Justice and Equity

CEP is excited to embrace a new chapter in our journey towards justice and equity with the announcement of John P. Scott, MPA, as our new co-CEO alongside our founder, Charles McDonald. This new shared leadership model heralds a dynamic era for CEP as we continue to support Black communities to thrive.

John entered his partnership with CEP with over 20 years of experience in community building roles, serving as a community organizer, program officer, community engagement expert, diversity/inclusion practitioner, and non-profit leader for both grassroots and large non-profit organizations throughout the Greater Cincinnati region. His work has made an impact, garnering millions of dollars in resources to organizations and improving the lives of thousands of families. He has his B.S. in Urban Affairs and Masters in Public Administration MPA and has been recognized for his leadership and impact in the community and across institutions. He was named as one of American Society of Public Administrator’s (ASPA’s) Public Administrators of the Year, was a part of the inaugural class of United Way Global Fellows, is one of the Cincinnati Business Courier’s Forty under 40, alumni to the Urban League’s African American Leadership Development Program (AALDP), and most recently was selected to the Cincinnati Regional Chamber’s Leadership Cincinnati class of leaders and change makers working to make the region more vibrant, inclusive, and more prosperous for all.

In his previous role as Partner, Chief of Engagement with CEP, John played the catalytic role of co-founding, along with seven innovative Black leaders, the Cincinnati-based collaborative, TABLE (Transformational Advancement of Black Leadership & Excellence). TABLE, a Black-led and governed non-profit, serves as a hub to catalyze, incubate, and champion transformational Black leadership and solutions to their community’s most pressing challenges. 

As we welcome John into this pivotal role, we also reflect on the significant achievements of our Founder, Charles McDonald. His unwavering leadership and advocacy have activated key partnerships and directed substantial resources towards Black-led and governed organizations at the crossroads of education equity, economic development, and community organizing.

Under Charles’s guidance, CEP has grown to become a beacon of hope and change, coaching over 100 justice-centered leaders,  activating the creation of four Black-led and governed organizations each equipped with the financial resources for long-term sustainability, and partnering with justice-centered funders to direct approximately $20 million dollars to community-led solutions.  His leadership has challenged CEP and our partners to walk with the values of equity and justice, which is reflective of our decision to pursue a shared leadership model at CEP.

Together, Charles and John will steer CEP through strategic innovation and operational excellence, ensuring that our mission not only endures but also expands in its reach and impact. Charles will continue to nurture CEP’s growth through strategic innovation, sustainability, and social impact strategies, while John will focus on strategic operations, governance, and enhancing our staff and partnership engagement.

Our transition to co-leadership reaffirms CEP’s commitment to equity-centered collaboration, and building powerful partnerships between Black community innovators and justice-minded funders to advance our shared mission and values.

We are enthusiastic about what lies ahead with the leadership enhancement. There is a lot to look forward to with new initiatives on the horizon, and we invite you to stand with us in congratulating John on his new and expanded role, and in offering our ongoing support to Charles and the entire CEP organization.

Join us in celebrating this milestone as we continue to push boundaries and pave paths toward a more equitable and just future.

In Partnership,

Team CEP