Keecha Harris and Associates, Inc.

We're proud to become a B Corp Certified business this year -- which also happens to be the 25th anniversary of our firm! Throughout those 25 years, we’ve helped foundations, government, and corporations strategically prioritize Black and Brown leaders to redistribute money, accelerate impact, increase profitability, and deepen mission fulfillment. So, it was a natural fit to go through the process to become counted among the B Corp Certified businesses that are leading a global movement for an inclusive, equitable and regenerative economy. The B Corp ethos of using business as a force for good aligns with our belief that businesses have a responsibility to practice “philanthropy”: the love of ALL humankind. Learn more about our B Corp Certification here: https://lnkd.in/ecrxFRPV cc: B Lab U.S. & Canada #BCorp #Philanthropy #BCorpCertified #ConsultingFirm #RacialEquity

What role can foundations play in narrative change work? 📝 We have two of the three Black VPs of Communications from the largest grantmaking institutions sharing their insights on this latest episode of #TheRACEPodcast!💡 A special thanks to M. Allyn Brooks-LaSure, VP of Communications at the RWJF, and Kristen Mack, VP of Communications at the MacArthur Foundation for lending their wisdom! Catch the full episode here 🎧 https://ow.ly/RsLG50QpOt7

...𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙖 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚--𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚, 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠, 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮, 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚.🤎 I am simply full fom yesterday's Fireside Chat on Reproductive Justice (RJ) and Care Activism 🙏🏽. I had the honor and privilege of moderating this dialogue and we all left the room with much to ponder, plan for, and DO. Kiersten Gillette-Pierce, MSPH BS reminded us that being a student of the ancestors is the most sacred and sound ground one can stand on in doing this important work; 𝗟𝗮𝗞𝗶𝘆𝗮 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝘀, host and producer of the Black Feminist Rants Podcast, brought a very relevant and new perspective on how Gen Z is uplifting cause and advocacy through real and radical conversations about the RJ and Black Feminist movements; and Joia Crear-Perry, MD shed light on the layers and realities associated with Black birthing, mothering, leadership, advocacy, and the need to get clear about our frameworks for care and change--𝙖𝙡𝙡 lending hope to a equitable and just future. I invite you to stay connected with Keecha Harris and Associates, Inc. and our partners at Oxfam as we continue to fuel these critical efforts through KHA's Race, Healing, and Joy RJ initiative and Oxfam's New Era for Black Women initiative. ✨️We are deserving of love. ✨️We are deserving of joy. ✨️We are deserving of quality care. ✨️We are deserving of access. ✨️We are deserving of true wellness. ✨️We are deserving of the power to choose. ✨️We are deserving of the freedom to Be, Grieve, Heal, Thrive, and Grow. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙁𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙀𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙡. #socialimpact #reproductivejustice #equitywork #collaborativeleadership #communitycare #wellness ⚜️Special thanks to Dream House Lounge in NOLA for the beautiful space, breathing exercises, and sound bath.

Join us in celebrating our SEAL (Strategy, Evaluation and Learning Associate) team for presenting two very well-received workshops at the American Evaluation Association's Summer Institute! Horace Duffy and Sierra Fernandez offered our evaluation colleagues a peek into the ways we approach racial justice transformation and change management with philanthropic organizations, their partners, and governmental entities across a diverse portfolio of evaluation projects in environmental justice, reproductive justice, organizational development, and economic mobility. We shared a comprehensive framework composed of five key phases: 1️⃣ Project Discovery through a Racial Equity Lens 2️⃣ Engaging Community Effectively 3️⃣ Co-Creation and Ownership of Process and Products 4️⃣ Racial Equity Capacity Building 5️⃣ Sustainability and Longevity of Change Management Our team also shared insights from working with clients such as US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Oceankind, Wells Fargo, and Tara Health Foundation to develop our evaluation methodologies and framework for systems change. We really enjoyed the rich discussion and thoughtful questions from our peers about the application of best practices for evidence-driven, sustainable change. It was also rewarding to be in the learner's seat amongst our fellow evaluators throughout the gathering! #RacialJustice #Philanthropy #Evaluation #CapacityBuilding #ChangeManagement

𝙄𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬, 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬! (𝙇𝙤𝙣𝙜-𝙋𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝘼𝙡𝙚𝙧𝙩) I'm feeling so full, y'all, and it just keeps getting better! 🌟 I kicked off the week at the Women of Project Management Summit in NOLA, and my cup runneth over. Sharing my greatest accomplishment—𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡—was a profound moment for me. Many of you know my career was in higher ed until 2022, when I transitioned to the social impact space (I see you, KHA!). The loss of my biggest cheerleader, friend, advocate, and life warrior—my mama, Rita—brought my life to a halt. No motivation, fight, or joy. It was hard and heavy. 𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙚’𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚: 𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚. When I returned from bereavement leave in April 2022 (my mom passed that January), I asked my (then) manager for grace and space to continue doing my job well. Those asks were ignored, highlighting how often Black voices are disregarded. We had just endured lockdowns and losses, yet many organizations returned to business as usual. Losing my mom to Covid-pneumonia at 40 was the most disruptive event of my life. My job wouldn’t allow remote work to support my healing and my 80+ year-old father. The sacrifices we make for jobs can be diabolical which is why I'm so grateful I prioritized (and continue to prioritize) my core needs. During my bereavement leave, someone shared a Director of Programs position at Keecha Harris and Associates (KHA). Despite not fitting the profile or having the capacity, I was curious. I applied for a project manager role instead and was contacted about a month later (but the same day I returned to my former job--wild right?!). You cannot tell me I don't have an angel looking out for me! Two years later, I’ve worked with some of the most brilliant and dynamic humans. One of them, Maria Garin-Jones, demonstrated care and commitment like no manager I've had before. Coming from a culture that perpetuates white supremacist constructs, my nervous system was shocked—but in the best way. In just a few weeks, Maria will chart a new course, and I will assume the role of Director of Programs (interim)-the very role shared with me two years ago, but it wasn’t time. 𝙃𝙤𝙬 ��𝙤 𝙄 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡, 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙨𝙠? It’s scary and uncertain, but also exciting and divine timing. I firmly believe God knew and knows what each of us needs during our unique seasons. I am pictured here after an invigorating two days with changemakers from all over the world. I belong in these rooms. I deserve these opportunities. I am capable, curious, and full of joy. Keecha—thank you for seeing me, and to My Mama, thank you for always protecting me—even as an angel. For all of us who are willing and open--cheers to becoming the most well, evolved, loved, and blessed version of ourselves. We deserve that! #leadership #personaldevelopment #wellness #joy #changemakers #socialimpact #healing #grief #equity #careactivism

📣 New Orleans colleagues! (And those in town for Essence Festival!) 📣   Join us this Friday, July 5th, for an intimate and impactful fireside chat that explores the future of Black communities through the lens of Reproductive Justice and building a future where care work is valued. Panelists include: ✨ LaKia Williams ✨ Kiersten Gillette-Pierce, MSPH BS ✨ Joia Crear-Perry, MD   This event is in partnership with Oxfam America's A New Era for Black Women and the Race, Healing, and Joy initiative.    Let's envision pathways to a more just and equitable future, where every Black person has the freedom and support to make informed decisions about their bodies, families, and lives.    Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gaG7aXBj   Food and drinks will be provided. RSVP is required as space is limited!   #ReproductiveJustice #NewOrleans #RacialEquity #EssenceFestival #CareEquity

“Pride, to me, is both a celebration and a call to action. It is a celebration of our identities, our history, and our resilience as queer people. It's a time to honor those who have fought for our rights and to recognize the progress we've made. However, Pride is also a reminder of the work that remains. Every day, queer rights are under attack. There are currently methodical campaigns happening in the US and globally to erase our histories and our identities in public life. History tells us that the erasure of culture will lead to the attempted erasure of the people. One thing I know about my community is that we’re not willing to head backwards. Pride and the discourse surrounding it is ultimately a reminder that we are in active resistance and it's for the sake of our lives. It is a call out to our allies to continue advocating for the rights and liberation of all LGBTQ+ people, particularly those who are most marginalized. Pride embodies the spirit of resistance against oppression and the pursuit of a world where everyone can live freely and authentically. My identities as a queer individual profoundly shape my approach to [racial equity centered systems change] work. I prioritize authentic intersectionality, ensuring that our methodologies and analyses consider the multifaceted experiences of marginalized communities. This is deeper than relying on checklists of best practices or rules to follow; instead, my queer identity moves me to actively practice empathy, understanding, and consideration for other perspectives and identities as part of the process. The beauty of embracing queerness is that you learn many truths can co-exist within yourself and others. By centering queer liberation, I strive to dismantle oppressive structures and promote a culture of inclusivity and respect in every professional endeavor.” - Jeremy Arnold,  Project Manager Thank you Jeremy for reflecting on what Pride means to you and how your identities inform your approach to our consulting work at KHA. While Pride Month has come to a close, we must keep the meaning of Pride top of mind as we continue working towards a more just world. #Pride #Equity #Justice #QueerLiberation #Intersectionality

Haven't been able to tune into the latest episode of #TheRACEPodcast yet? Here are key takeaways from this powerful conversation with Rachel J. Robasciotti, Founder and CEO of Adasina Social Capital: 💎 Knowing the history of the United States' financial markets and Wall Street allows us to recognize the need for social and economic repair 💎 Wealth that is meant for repair is meant to flow. Extraction and hoarding of capital only worsens the social and economic issues we face, particularly for Black and Indigenous communities 💎 The key to sustaining impact is designing organizations as if they are living systems. Institutionalize the practices principles that allow for adaptability and evolution, without losing sight of the core purpose. And that's just the beginning! Catch the full episode on your favorite streaming platforms 🎧 https://ow.ly/RsLG50QpOt7

📣 New Orleans colleagues! (And those traveling in next week for Essence Festival!) 📣   Join us on Friday July 5th for an intimate and impactful fireside chat that explores the future of Black communities through the lens of Reproductive Justice and building a future where care work is valued.   Who's "us"?   This event is in partnership with Oxfam America's A New Era for Black Women and the Race, Healing, and Joy initiative. We’re bringing together thought leaders, activists, and movement funders to discuss the intersection of race, Reproductive Justice, and care equity.   Together, we'll envision pathways to a more just and equitable future, where every Black person has the freedom and support to make informed decisions about their bodies, families, and lives.   Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gaG7aXBj   Food and drinks will be provided. RSVP is required as space is limited!   #ReproductiveJustice #NewOrleans #RacialEquity #EssenceFestival #CareEquity

“By fighting for racial justice, we also advance the cause of queer liberation, ensuring that all individuals can live freely and without fear of discrimination. I am working towards a world where everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, or other intersecting identities, can live authentically and with dignity. In client work, not everyone shares this orientation, and that can be difficult. However, I’m reminded of the work of adrienne maree brown on fractals. In fractals, the smallest parts reflect the larger. I don’t always have authentic influence on a larger scale, but I always do in small ways. In my work, I strive for a lens of queer liberation at every stage, and I don’t neglect the importance of showing up in the “small” ways. I treat people with dignity and respect. I look out for and center queer voices. I seek queer mentorship. I bring the work of queer authors, creatives, and thought leaders into my work. The biggest way that I feel I am able to affect the world and affect my [racial equity centered systems change] work at KHA is living loudly, proudly, and as my authentic self. Ironically, this is the hardest part. Addressing one form of oppression without acknowledging the other perpetuates harm and maintains systemic inequities. Racial justice work necessitates LGBTQ+ liberation because systems of oppression are interconnected and must be dismantled together. At a more tactical level, coalitional solidarity is needed in order to bring about societal change. The systems of power that oppress us all are bigger than us individually, but I do not believe they are bigger than us together.”  – Jeremy Arnold, Project Manager Thank you Jeremy for reflecting on how our collective liberation is intertwined, and the power of coming together to create change by living into our humanity.  Please stay tuned for Part II of these reflections! #Pride #Equity #Justice #QueerLiberation #RacialJustice