(BALTIMORE, MD – July 16, 2026) — Some leaders build organizations from the outside.
Others strengthen them from within.
For more than two decades, Winston Philip has quietly helped nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and community partners build the infrastructure, systems, and strategies necessary to create lasting change.
It is for that reason that BMORENews and BlackUSA.News are proud to honor Winston Philip with the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Award during The Black Wall Street Summit: National Black Business Month Edition on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, in West Baltimore.
Philip currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of Elev8 Baltimore, where he oversees operations, technology strategy, human resources, compliance, enterprise systems, data governance, and organizational performance in support of programs serving children, families, and communities throughout Baltimore City.
Throughout his career, Philip has earned a reputation as a nonprofit executive and technology strategist who understands that strong organizations require more than passion—they require effective systems, measurable outcomes, and thoughtful leadership.
Before joining Elev8 Baltimore, Philip founded Sequivalent, LLC, a consulting practice that helped nonprofit and community-based organizations strengthen their data systems, evaluation capacity, organizational performance, and strategic decision-making. Through that work, he enabled mission-driven organizations to better measure their impact, improve service delivery, and tell their stories with confidence.
His professional journey also includes leadership roles with The Equity Brain Trust, STRIVE, the Baltimore Civic Fund, and more than eight years at the Center for Urban Families (CFUF), where he helped design and manage sophisticated performance management and data systems that supported organizational accountability and continuous improvement.
Beyond his executive leadership, Philip has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to civic engagement through board service across Baltimore’s nonprofit community.
He currently serves as Board Chair of Along The Way, Inc. and as a board member of Art with a Heart. His previous service includes leadership roles with the Maryland Tech Council, Digital Harbor Foundation, and The Journey Home Baltimore, where he served as Board Chair. He also served as a Community Advisor for WYPR, contributing to public media and community engagement initiatives.
His influence extends beyond operations and governance.
Philip is also the author of “It’s Like a Shoulder to Lean On”: Social Support Provided by an Inner-City Workforce Development Program, reflecting his longstanding interest in workforce development, economic mobility, and evidence-based approaches to strengthening communities. Earlier in his career, he spent nearly a decade as a Senior Producer with Bang Music + Audio Post, developing skills in communications, storytelling, and project leadership that continue to shape his approach to nonprofit management today.
A graduate of Purchase College, State University of New York, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Philip has continued expanding his expertise through training in emerging technologies, including Microsoft Copilot and SharePoint administration. His unique ability to bridge technology, operations, strategy, and community engagement has made him a trusted advisor throughout Baltimore’s nonprofit and philanthropic sectors.
The Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards recognize individuals who strengthen communities by building institutions that create opportunity for others.
Winston Philip exemplifies that mission.
While many leaders are recognized for what they build publicly, Philip has dedicated much of his career to helping organizations become stronger, more effective, and better equipped to serve the people who depend on them.
His work reminds us that lasting community impact often begins behind the scenes—with better leadership, better systems, stronger partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Congratulations to Winston Philip, one of the newest recipients of the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Award.
The Black Wall Street Summit: National Black Business Month Edition
Featuring The Doni Glover Show LIVE and the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Justice Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center
1315 Division Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21217
Admission is free and open to the public.
RSVP: blackwallstreetsummit26.eventbrite.com
Founded in 2002, BMORENews has honored more than 3,000 leaders in nine cities through the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards, celebrating entrepreneurs, educators, clergy, nonprofit leaders, public servants, elected officials, and community builders whose work strengthens communities through leadership, service, and institution-building.
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