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Summary:

When board members stay an average of 3 to 5+ years longer than paid staff, their influence becomes decisive, undeniable, and lasting. They are the structural pillars on which nonprofits and foundations depend.

In this episode of Black Philanthropy: Our Stories, host Michelle Renee Jackson, MDiv sits down with foundation and nonprofit board leader, Morris Price, for a masterclass on foundation and nonprofit board governance, executive director leadership, and the power dynamics shaping philanthropy today.

Morris breaks down the core functions of effective boards, namely governance, fiduciary responsibility, and board recruitment, while explaining how to alleviate common tensions between paid staff and volunteer board leadership.

Morris offers practical strategies for fundraising training, building a culture of giving, navigating "give‑or‑get" expectations, and strengthening relationships between nonprofit and foundation leadership.

Morris speaks candidly about fear-based decision-making, organizational sustainability, and why donors remain essential to long‑term nonprofit health.

Whether you are a funder or fundraiser, this is a transformative conversation for any leader in philanthropy committed to community‑centered philanthropy.

Produced by: Simuel + Murray, a proudly black and female production company.

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In this solo episode, Michelle Renee Jackson, MDiv host of Black Philanthropy: Our Stories reflects on the last 7 months since BPOS premiered on Father's Day 2025.

In order to guide the direction of BPOS moving forward, Michelle examines the wins, challenges, and hard lessons learned in the last 7 months.

As a podcast in conversation with black leaders leading in a more than half‑trillion‑dollar philanthropy industry, this episode considers how the sector can become a more effective catalyst for Black economic advancement and self-determination.

Michelle addresses the rising layoffs affecting Black people, especially Black women, the disproportionately high Black unemployment rate, and the urgent need to increase how philanthropy reaches Black communities.

This episode also explores how BPOS can help Black leaders in philanthropy break out of silos, collaborate more effectively, and strengthen their collective impact.

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Art Taylor, leads an organization of 25,000+ fundraising professionals globally as the CEO of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).

He joins host, Michelle Renee Jackson, MDiv to discuss Black fundraising leadership, diversity in philanthropy, and equity in donor engagement.

He reflects on being one of the few Black men in the nonprofit fundraising sector, the isolation many fundraisers of color face, and why institutions often overlook Black donors despite long histories of Black philanthropic giving.

Art iterates the importance of relationship‑building, navigating fundraising "no's," and adapting fundraising strategies amid declining donor participation. Grounded in lessons from his mother, he shares how purpose, service, and everyday generosity sustain his hope in challenging times.