Episode 23: Valaida Fullwood
Described an “idea whisperer,” Valaida Fullwood brings unbridled imagination and a gift for harnessing wild ideas to her work as a writer, public speaker and consultant on various philanthropic projects and events. Her client base ranges widely and her interests center on social innovation in philanthropy, education and the arts. She helps people and organizations drive bold ideas forward by guiding their projects and by writing their stories.
Valaida is the award-winning author of Giving Back, a 400-page hardcover book profiling stories of philanthropy among African Americans that was developed with photographer Charles Thomas. Giving Back, her first book, was named one of the 10 Best Black Books of 2011 and received the prestigious 2012 McAdam Book Award, which recognizes “the most inspirational and useful new book for the nonprofit sector.”
Since the release of Giving Back, Valaida is recognized a thought leader on African American philanthropy and community-led philanthropy and is frequently invited by a variety of groups to write, talk and consult on the topic. In collaboration with Johnson C. Smith University, she attracted grant funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and other contributors totaling more than $240,000 to reimagine the book Giving Back as a multimedia, touring exhibition. Giving Back: The Soul of Philanthropy Reframed and Exhibited is now traveling to college campuses, public libraries and museums, nationwide.
A born-and-bred North Carolinian, Valaida has deep hometown roots in Morganton and is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she majored in International Studies with a focus in Economics. For nearly a decade, she managed international economic development projects for General Electric and other major corporations, living and working overseas prior to establishing a Charlotte-based consulting practice.
Valaida is a founding member of New Generation of African American Philanthropists — a giving circle that gives back through grantmaking and civic engagement.
Website
Facebook
