SOUTH SHORE — The Black United Fund is working hard to keep moving forward after another death among its senior leadership.
Talmadge Betts, the program manager of anti-violence and prisoner re-entry programs for the South Shore nonprofit, died on April 13.
In March, the nonprofit that invested in economic development in African-American communities since 1985 lost its founder, Henry English, who died of a heart attack after getting in a car accident.
“It’s definitely challenging to have two great people gone at the same time,” said Theresa Adams, vice president of the Black United Fund. “They were both integral to our operation.”
The organization named Nkrumah English, Henry English’s son, as interim CEO on Monday.
Adams said the programs Betts worked on will continue, though they are currently suspended due to lack of funding during the state’s budget impasse.
She said Betts was an easy-going and helpful part of the organization who enjoyed playing guitar at Christ Bible Church, 7877 S. Coles Ave.
A service will be held for Betts at the church at 3 p.m. Sunday.
Adams said Betts had been on sick leave for the past year.
“We miss the expertise and knowledge they brought to it, but we’re not losing steam,” Adams said. “We’re able to keep up, we’re able to move forward with issues.”
He was previously a program officer with the Black United Fund.
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