Kimberly Statum Francisco is a lifetime resident of Northeast Oklahoma City.  Her professional experience and roots in Oklahoma City will help Progress OKC advance economic and social resources in areas of Oklahoma City that have traditionally been under-resourced or disinvested. Kimberly’s background positions her perfectly for the leadership position. In her most recent role as manager of the Ralph Ellison Library, she worked with state and local agencies, community-based nonprofits, and local school systems to provide programming and services based on community needs. She led a systemwide effort to curate a hundred-year history of the Ralph Ellison Library in collaboration with community stakeholders, leaders, and individuals. Other experience includes work for nonprofits in the areas of education, advocacy and training, federal, state, and foundation grant acquisition and administration, and fundraising. 

She understands the time and energy required to rebuild trust and inclusion. A lifelong resident of northeast Oklahoma City, she has seen a disconnect between the leaders, finances, and developers and the needs and desires of underrepresented people who live in the impacted neighborhoods. She is motivated to build on the inroads made by Progress OKC and the Alliance in visioning and developing community inclusion.