Centering Conversations

Centering Conversations, a podcast brought to you exclusively by Conversations with Chanda (CwC)

Season 4

Be sure to check out the full suite of Centering Conversations every Wednesday during Black Philanthropy Month. Guests include Angel Roberson Daniels, Executive Director of The Angell Foundation; Brand Expert and Transmedia Strategist, Tashion Macon; Qiana Thomason, CEO of Health Forward Foundation; and Conniel Malek, founding Executive Director of True Costs Initiative. Beginning in September, Centering Conversations will drop every third Wednesday of the month.

Episode 1

In celebration of Black Philanthropy Month, a new episode of Centering Conversations will release every Wednesday in August. In this episode, Toya Nash Randall, a VVV Curator and Catalyst, explores Black Philanthropy Month and the groundbreaking book, Portraits of Us: A Book of Essays Centering Black Women Leading Philanthropy.

Episode 2

In this week's episode of Centering Conversations, Chanda discusses identity, leadership, and the journey of black women in philanthropy with Tashion Macon. Discover how to embrace the path of purpose while being courageous to dream, declare, and disrupt social norms. 

Episode 3

Join Chanda Smith Baker as she engages in a conversation with Conniel Malek, Founding Executive Director of True Costs Initiative, a nonprofit which seeks to increase corporate accountability and strengthen legal systems in the Global South. In this powerful episode, discover how Conniel collaborates across borders to internalize the true costs of corporate actions, all while embracing personal uniqueness in leadership.

Episode 4

In this week's Centering Conversations episode, Chanda is joined by Qiana Thomason, the visionary CEO of Health Forward Foundation. Discover how Qiana's dedication to health equity and community empowerment shapes her leadership journey. Explore her insights on truth reconciliation in philanthropy, the importance of mentorship, and the transformative power of intentional spaces.

Episode 5

On our final #BlackPhilanthropyMonth episode, Angel Roberson-Daniels, Executive Director of Angell Foundation, shares her dynamic journey. As a catalyst for positive change, she shares insights from her impactful career, guiding foundations, and fostering community collaboration. From strategic planning to empowering emerging leaders, listen in on some valuable insights on mentorship and the art of graceful leadership.

Episode 6

An all-new episode of Centering Conversations, featuring award-winning journalist and author L'Oreal Thompson Payton, is now available! L'Oreal is a contributing writer for the Chicago chapter of Portraits of Us and her debut book, Stop Waiting for Perfect, was published in August 2023. In this episode, L'Oreal dives into topics such as overcoming perfectionism, identity struggles, and the importance of representation. From lessons on burnout to reclaiming dreams, this episode is a powerful exploration of vulnerability, resilience, and self-care.

Episode 7

Tune into the latest episode of Centering Conversations as Chanda Smith Baker engages in a candid conversation with Yanique Redwood, author of White Women Cry and Call Me Angry: A Black Woman’s Memoir on Racism in Philanthropy. Yanique and Chanda uncover compelling insights into the impact of race and trauma, the dynamics of sharing experiences, emotional labor in nonprofits, and the transformative power of self-care and community.

Episode 8

Tune into the latest episode of Centering Conversations as Chanda Smith Baker engages in a candid conversation with Yanique Redwood, author of White Women Cry and Call Me Angry: A Black Woman’s Memoir on Racism in Philanthropy. Yanique and Chanda uncover compelling insights into the impact of race and trauma, the dynamics of sharing experiences, emotional labor in nonprofits, and the transformative power of self-care and community.

Episode 9

This conversation features Gladys Washington, the retired Deputy Director of the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation, as she shares her experiences in philanthropy and navigating power dynamics as a Black woman leader. She emphasizes the importance of self-care, honesty, and community building for Black women in leadership positions. Washington encourages listeners to lighten up, listen to others, and engage in challenging conversations to learn from diverse perspectives.

Leadership Legacy Series

Season 3

Season three of the Leadership Legacy Series contains monthly conversations about the leadership impact of Black women working in the philanthropic sector. This season includes special guests: Jacqueline Bouvier Copeland, Takema Robinson Llewellyn, Christy Slater, Erika Seth Davies, and more.

2022 #WCW EPISODE 1: BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Voice. Vision. Value. Kicked off its 2022 #WCW series with a look back and a look forward with Jacqueline Bouvier Copeland, founder of Black Philanthropy Month and The Wise Fund. In this powerful conversation, Jackie spoke about the lessons she’s learned in her 40 year career as a Pan Africanist mobilizing Black giving across the globe.

2022 #WCW EPISODE 2: WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

Our Women’s History Month conversation with Christy Slater and Takema Robinson highlighted the historical legacy and transformational impact of Black women leading philanthropy in New Orleans.

2022 #WCW EPISODE 3

On Wednesday, May 18, 2022, Voice. Vision. Value. held a conversation with Chief Impact Officer and SVP of The Minneapolis Foundation, Chanda Smith Baker on doing philanthropy differently.

2022 #WCW EPISODE 4

On July 20th Voice. Vision. Value. Spoke with Ada Williams Prince as she reflects on receiving the 2022 Visionary Award from the New York Women’s Foundation and her leadership impact in the women and girls of color movement.

2022 #WCW EPISODE 5

We kicked off our Black Philanthropy Month celebration on Wednesday, August 10, and Voice. Vision. Value. spoke with Tamara Winfrey Harris, VP of People, Culture and Brand at Central Indiana Community Foundation and best-selling author of The Sisters Are Alright.

2022 #WCW EPISODE 6

On Wednesday, August 24, Voice. Vision. Value. held a conversation with phenomenal, Andrus Fund Trustee C'Ardiss Gardner Gleser.

2022 #WCW EPISODE 7

We concluded our Black Philanthropy Month celebration on Wednesday, August 31 with Alandra Byrd Washington VP of Transformation and Organizational Effectiveness at W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

2022 #WCW EPISODE 8

On Wednesday September 21, Voice. Vision. Value. held a conversation with Charmel Gaulden, President & CEO of Foundation for Louisiana on her leadership vision as CEO and the impact of Black women in philanthropy in New Orleans. 

2022 #WCW EPISODE 9

On November 16, the #WCWSeries features Dr. Akilah Watkins, Incoming CEO of The Independent Sector.

2022 #WCW EPISODE 10

Voice. Vision. Value. held a conversation with Jocelyn Harmon, CoFounder and Editor of BlackHer on October 19, 2022.

Leadership Legacy Series

Season 2

Season two of the Leadership Legacy Series will include conversations on the importance of Black women’s leadership in the philanthropic space.

This season included special guests: Susan L. Taylor, Carmen James Randolph, Jessica Barron, Maisha Simmons, Dr. Rhonda Tsoi-A-Fatt Bryant, Ciara Coleman, and more.

#WCW EPISODE 1: CELEBRATING BLACK WOMEN IN PHILANTHROPY AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FIELD

Toya Randall and Jessica Barron of Frontline Solutions discuss and share key findings from Centering Ourselves, the upcoming Voice. Vision. Value. report dedicated to the experiences, strategies and leadership pathways of Black women in the field of philanthropy. Centering Ourselves was developed in partnership with Frontline Solutions.

#WCW EPISODE 2: CELEBRATING BLACK WOMEN IN PHILANTHROPY AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FIELD

Tynesha McHarris, Co Founder of The Black Feminist Fund moderates a discussion with Carmen James Randolph, Women’s Foundation of the South; Ciara Coleman, Geaux Girl Give; and Dr. Rhonda Tsoi-A-Fatt Bryant, Nafasi Fund about their experiences creating and launching new, Black-led philanthropic ventures and/or institutions in the past year and the impact they’ve had thus far.

SPECIALIZING IN THE WHOLLY IMPOSSIBLE: BLACK WOMEN LEADING IN PHILANTHROPY

Voice. Vision. Value. and Alliance Magazine collaborate during Black Philanthropy Month for a webinar discussing Black womens’ leadership in philanthropy in the moment of COVID-19 and global calls for justice and equity. Our Curator and Catalyst, Toya Randall; Danielle Walker Palmour, Director of Friends Provident Foundation; and Moky Makura, Executive Director of Africa No Filter; serve as panelists during this critical conversation moderated by Melanie Brown, Interim Deputy Director at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

#WCW EPISODE 3: CELEBRATING BLACK WOMEN IN PHILANTHROPY AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FIELD

Panelists Storme Gray, Executive Director of Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy; Amber Hamilton, Executive Director of the Memphis Music Initiative; and Amoretta Morris, President of Borealis Philanthropy discuss their unique experiences as Black women executives leading philanthropic institutions and philanthropy serving organizations. They also share their individual and collective vision for transforming the sector and the impact of McKenzie Scott’s unrestricted support on their organization and the field. The conversation is moderated by Susan L. Taylor, Founder & CEO of National CARES Mentoring and Editor-in-Chief Emerita of Essence Magazine.

#WCW Episode 4: A conversation about the pivotal moments of 2021 and a look to the future with the release of Centering Ourselves

Panelists for 2021's final #WomanCrushWednesdaySeries included Monique B. Jones, President & CEO of Forefront, Janine Lee, President & CEO of Southeastern Council of Foundations, and Toya Nash Randall, Curator & Catalyst of Voice.Vision.Value. They discussed how COVID-19, the Black Lives Matter movement, the 2020 presidential election, and the Insurrection of January 6, 2021, were pivotal events for both Black women and 21st-century philanthropy. They also looked to the future with a discussion of Centering Ourselves, the first in a series of reports about the leadership impact of Black women working in the philanthropic sector.

Making Our Meaning Known: The Role of Black Women in the Boys and Men of Color Movement

Historically the meaningful contributions of Black women in racial and social justice movements are often overlooked, forgotten or erased. In the season two premiere episode of the Leadership Legacy of Black Women, Maisha Simmons and Rhonda Bryant take a look back at the role they and other Black women in philanthropy played in seeding early investments that fueled the Boys and Young Men of Color Movement. Tune in as they set the record straight about the often uncelebrated community of women who led critical research, curated convening spaces for organizers, activists and advocates, and resourced Black-led organizations.

Leadership Legacy Series

Season 1

Season one of the Leadership Legacy Series released five episodes that captured the true essence of Black women’s leadership in philanthropy through their legacy, mentorship, support and liberation.

This season included special guests: Valaida Fullwood, Linetta Gilbert, Lauren Casteel, Takema Robinson, Soledad O’Brien, Susan Taylor Batten, and more.

The Legacy of Black Women at the W K Kellogg Foundation

2020 marked the 90th anniversary of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Check out this episode of the Voice. Vision. Value. web series about the impactful leadership legacy of Black women at Kellogg.

A Conversation with Soledad O’Brien

Voice.Vision.Value. Curator and Catalyst Toya Randall interviews Soledad O’Brien on the meaning of authentic leadership and the experiences behind it. O’Brien is not only an Emmy-award winning broadcast journalist, author, speaker, producer and CEO of Soledad O’Brien Productions. O’Brien is Co-Founder and Board Chairperson of the philanthropic organization PowHERful Foundation. PowHERful Foundation provides financial assistance, mentorship and support in getting young women through college.

Black Women & Philanthropy: A Conversation with Takema Robinson

Converge for Change Principal and CEO Takema Robinson hosts a live podcast recording with Voice.Vision.Value. Curator and Catalyst Toya Randall to discuss Black women’s leadership and role in philanthropy.

Black Women Leading Philanthropy through Crisis to Liberation

This episode, Black women leading community-based philanthropy in Minneapolis, Atlanta and New Orleans, discuss their leadership impact in three American cities where Black people are disproportionately impacted by the global pandemic.

Three cities in the midst of civil unrest. Cities all struggling under the weight of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.

Tune into this episode featuring Katrina Mitchell, Chief Impact Officer of United Way of Metro Atlanta; Lauren Casteel, Chief Executive Officer of Women’s Foundation of Colorado; Chanda Smith Baker, Senior Vice President of Impact of Minneapolis Foundation; Carmen James Randolph, Vice President for Programs of Greater New Orleans Foundation.

BLACK WOMEN SPONSORING AND SUPPORTING EACH OTHER

Featured Guests:

Valaida Fullwood, Philanthropist and author of Giving Back: A Tribute to Generations of African American Philanthropists Linetta Gilbert, Founder and Managing Partner of Gilbert & Associates

Linetta Gilbert and Valaida Fullwood have a shared experience of promoting, preserving and building Black philanthropy in the U.S. with a particular emphasis on the American South. In April 2020 Valaida joined a distinguished community of Black leaders recognized by ABFE when she received the Trailblazer Award. Linetta was ABFE’s 2018 James Joseph Lecturer. Their conversation capture*s* the sponsorship and support they’ve shared with each other and experienced from other Black women over the course of their careers.

Keep Connected. Join Our Mailing List.

 

© Voice. Vision. Value. Black Women Leading Philanthropy.

“Portraits of Us: A Book of Essays Centering Black Women Leading Philanthropy“ is now available!

Click here to purchase the e-book