Our Commitment
At OUR Story Institute, transparency means building with intention, communicating honestly, and staying accountable to the communities at the heart of this work.
As a public-facing initiative of OUR Story Foundation, we are committed to developing an organization that is thoughtful, community-rooted, and grounded in ethical leadership from the very beginning.
Our work centers LGBTQIA+ communities, with a particular commitment to uplifting Black and trans women of color through leadership development, resource navigation, civic engagement, and collaborative partnerships. That commitment shapes not only what we build, but how we build it.
We believe trust is earned through clarity, consistency, and accountability. This page reflects our commitment to being transparent about where we are, what we are building, and how we intend to grow.
Organizational Status
OUR Story Foundation, operating publicly as OUR Story Institute, is currently in its founding phase.
At this stage, we are focused on building the infrastructure, leadership, and partnerships necessary to support a strong and sustainable launch. This includes developing our governance structure, refining our program model, establishing trusted community relationships, and preparing for future pilot programming.
We are intentionally building with long-term impact in mind, with the goal of creating pathways that expand opportunity, stability, and leadership across LGBTQIA+ communities while centering the lived experiences and leadership of Black and trans women of color.
Governance & Leadership Development
OUR Story Foundation is currently developing its governance structure and founding leadership framework as part of its organizational development process.
This includes the formation of a founding board and advisory leadership that will help guide the organization’s growth, partnerships, and long-term strategy. As leadership appointments are finalized, updates will be shared on this website.
We believe strong leadership should be rooted in community wisdom, lived experience, strategic thinking, and accountability. As we continue building, we are committed to shaping a leadership structure that reflects the values of the organization and the communities we aim to serve.
Community Accountability
Community accountability is central to how we define leadership at OUR Story Institute.
Our intention is not simply to build programs for community, but to help build an organization that remains in conversation with community. That means prioritizing relationships, listening with care, and growing in ways that reflect both immediate needs and long-term vision.
As we move through our founding phase, we are committed to:
Building with transparency and honesty
Centering the leadership and experiences of Black and trans women of color
Developing partnerships with trusted organizations and providers
Creating systems that support ethical, community-informed decision-making
Growing with intention rather than rushing visibility without structure
We understand that trust is not created through language alone. It is built through follow-through, clarity, and the willingness to remain accountable as the work evolves.
As OUR Story Foundation continues to develop, this page will be updated to reflect key milestones in the organization’s growth.
Future updates may include:
Leadership and advisory announcements
Program and pilot launch updates
Partnership highlights
Organizational milestones
Community impact and progress updates
Our goal is to create a foundation that is not only visionary, but responsible in how it grows, communicates, and serves.
Future Reporting
We are building with intention, transparency, and accountability.
As we grow, we remain grounded in our commitment to community, leadership, and long-term change.
Progress updates and milestones will be shared as we continue to expand our work.