Philanthropy, Colorism, and Intersectionality with Susan Hairston

Welcome to Episode 2 of the 2nd season of The R.A.C.E. Podcast. Today I have the honor of speaking with Susan Hairston of Susan Hairston Consulting. She is an elected official and a deeply respected operations executive.  She is someone that you can count on to see the best in everyone and everything while being clear-minded about how to navigate difficult situations with integrity.  Curious about how that works? Invest the time to learn more by listening to our conversation.

Meet Susan Hairston:

An advisor to nonprofits, an elected official and civic leader, and an accomplished operations executive in philanthropy, reflect the diverse and complementary perspectives that Susan Hairston brings to the table. She lives an unapologetic life of service for the well-being of humanity.

As a trusted coalition builder and inspiring leader during tumultuous change, Susan has organized events bringing together government officials and diverse organizations across the globe. She has been appointed to serve on several government and non-profit and educational boards including the County Board of Taxation, the Center for Effective Philanthropy Advisory Board, Union County College's Board of Governors, the Board of Education, and Co-Chair of the Mayor's Forum for Diversity.

Susan launched her consulting group in 2020 to leverage her vast experience of strengthening nonprofits that serve marginalized communities. SHC group she leads offers a range of services that include funding strategy development, organizational assessment, strategic planning, change management, financial and project management, and board and leadership training.

An organization builder and change management guru, Susan’s philanthropy muscles were developed at the Ford Foundation where she had a distinguished career spanning two decades and four expanding roles that culminated in directing the Foundation’s $450 million annual grant-making operations team from 1997-2016. Before the SHC group, Susan directed grants management at the JPB Foundation, a national foundation with assets of $4 billion that focus on transformational initiatives that impact people in poverty, sustain the environment, and enable medical research.

Listen in as Susan hares:

• Her identities including her most beloved “Supremacy Slayer
• The complexity and often misuse of the Black Woman and Power
• Colorism and the role it plays in Philanthropy
• What she would like those doing Racial Justice work to remember

Learn more and connect with Susan Hairston:

• Website:

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