We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Christin Cerda a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Christin , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
I’ve experienced kidney failure twice, undergoing my first kidney transplant in 2013, which lasted for seven years. When I faced kidney failure again, it was devastating. I had thought I got my second chance, and the prospect of facing it again terrified me. What if I couldn’t do it this time? What if I didn’t have the strength to walk though this a second time? What if I die while waiting on the transplant list for a second time? These were all questions that plagued me daily. Initially in denial, the despair of being back in kidney failure took a toll on my spirit. I neglected myself, was not eating right, or taking my medication as assigned. I got progressively sicker and had settled on the thought that death was imminent. I was dying and I was okay with it. I had lost my will to fight and I had lost my hope.
Then, a realization hit me. I had a choice – to wallow in self-pity or to decide to be the best version of myself during dialysis. I began exercising, eating right, and gradually started feeling better. The more I improved, the more I delved into research on kidney failure. This led me to discover a significant disparity: African Americans, constituting 13% of the population, represent 35% (the largest demographic) of those on dialysis. Instantly, I felt compelled to take action. What’s causing this huge disparity in kidney failure in the African American Community? How can it be addressed.
Drawing on my background in nonprofit leadership and my spiritual connection, I prayed for guidance on starting a nonprofit. The Over the Rainbow Foundation began taking shape, symbolizing hope and God’s covenant. The Rainbow, signifying that tomorrow will always be better than today, inspired me. During dialysis, I observed many patients had a lack of understanding about treatment options, family member did not understand how sick their loved one was and had a lot of general questions about the illness, and the absence of mental health support due to Medicare limitations and inability to pay.
My nonprofit addresses these issues head-on, offering patient education, community awareness, and health literacy initiatives in communities of color. We soon will provide low-cost or free mental health support for patients and their families, acknowledging the gap in Medicare coverage for mental health. Additionally, we advocate for equity in kidney care and transplants, challenging the automatic downgrade of kidneys from black donors based on race. My firsthand experience and conversations with medical professionals, social workers, patients, and nonprofit leaders confirmed the need for my organization. So, I began to pull together a team of people who could help me build Over the Rainbow Foundation.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
With over 15 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, my journey began at Boys and Girls Clubs of America, where I learned the principles of servant leadership in one of the world’s largest nonprofits. It was there that I discovered not only my desire, but also my calling was to serve others. When I left Boys and Girls Clubs of America, I had a desire to see the impact of the work I was doing day in and day out. I immersed myself in direct fieldwork at various nonprofits, witnessing the tangible impact of our efforts.
Over the course of my career, I worked in every aspect of nonprofits from youth development to higher education and mental health support nonprofits. I engaged in multifaceted roles, including program development, resource development (such as grant writing and fundraising), and board development, among others. Throughout my professional trajectory, I explored every type of nonprofit work, extending my expertise to consulting and helping others to establish and funding their nonprofits.
Little did I know that my diverse experience was preparing me for the journey of starting and leading my own nonprofit organization, a path I now recognize as part of God’s plan for me. I am most proud of my ability to lead through service. I want people to know that everything you do in life is part of God’s plan for you. Even the times I thought I was in the wrong job or on the wrong path, all of that experience led me here
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
In the face of adversity and as a black woman living with kidney failure, my journey in founding a nonprofit to enhance the lives of those dealing with the same challenges is a testament to my resilience. One poignant story from my journey vividly illustrates this resilience.
During the early stages of establishing my nonprofit, I encountered numerous obstacles, from navigating hurdles with my health to facing skepticism about the feasibility of your mission and how a smaller nonprofit would be able to execute such a big mission. However, my unwavering commitment and personal experience with nonprofit leadership and kidney failure fueled your determination.
Recently, I was stuck. Not being able to secure funding was staring to take it’s tole and hearing no after no, after no. I was starting to question myself and if this is what I should be doing. Should I just go back to consulting fill time. Am I a fraud if I can’t do this myself. Imposter syndrome really started to set in.
Out of the blue, I was contacted by the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and asked to be an advocate for their organization. My very first advocacy event will be talking to congressional leaders on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. This has confirmed for me that I cannot give up. Some of the same issues my nonprofit was addresses are issues being discussed in Washington, DC.
I regrouped scrapped my initial fundraising plan that was grant heavy and put together a new fundraising plan that was grass roots focused. This involved leveraging personal relationships that I already had with potential donors. Pivoting and changing the fundraising plan is what worked. I want people to know that you may not be meant to do it the way others have done it. Your path might look different, and that’s okay.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn the habit of second-guessing myself. In my previous roles as a nonprofit leader with a team, I could consult with colleagues when uncertain about the direction of a decision. However, as the Founder and sole employee of my nonprofit, the luxury of bouncing ideas off others has become a thing of the past.
One story that sticks out centers around the selection of inaugural board members. There was one individual whom I just wasn’t sure would be a good fit for my organization. In the past, I might have engaged in what I like to call “analysis paralysis”, seeking input from team members over several days. Yet, in this solitary role, swift decision-making has become imperative. Trusting my instincts, I made a rapid decision.
I realized that while the person in question could be an excellent board member elsewhere, they weren’t what I needed for my organization. I had to separate from my personal preferences from the decision-making process and prioritize what was in the best interest of the nonprofit. Adopting a more business-like approach, I recognized the need to make decisive choices and promptly execute them, even if it meant stepping outside my comfort zone. This experience taught me to trust my judgment and act swiftly for the benefit of the nonprofit’s overall success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://overtherainbowfoundation.org/
- Instagram: @otrfoundationatlanta
- Facebook: Over the Rainbow Foundation Atlanta
Image Credits
Photos by Johnathan Payton