Latanya, you are a very successful woman who is now at the highest level of leadership. What is your personal story and how did you get where you are?
I grew up in Philadelphia with parents who followed the teachings of Malcom X and hence valued the benefits of education. My world was filled with violence, poverty, racism, and too many intersections with the criminal justice system. So I decided to become a lawyer, ironically, to save the Black men in my life. I was the first in my family to graduate from college, not to mention law school. I was greatly affected by social justice issues early which prompted my involvement in the anti-apartheid movement and my work with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
My most profound experience came while attending the historic Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995. I met a group of amazing women, including Loretta Ross, a leader of the reproductive justice movement, and heard from the likes of Hillary Clinton....and I knew that if were to rise as a human family, we had to raise up the women. After so many years in the field, I am so proud of the work I have done to center women activists: the “nanas”, “aunties”, and all human rights defenders.
I have lived in 15 countries outside the United States, married, bore a boy and a girl, and I often come back to the same premise, as stated by First Lady Michelle Obama: "The difference between a broken community and a thriving one is the presence of women who are valued."
You are a remarkable Black role model, lawyer and change-maker. What is your personal story and what led you to this path of impact?
My path was born from two grandmothers who were very different from each other: one a strong and disciplined fighter; and the other a loving selfless matriarch. I knew that I would succeed because I had the tools to both respect others and to boldly go after what was right.
I was told in college that I didn’t know how to write and that I centered Black people and history too much in my assignments. That teacher was fired after I learned that other Black students received the same critique and we went to the department demanding change. This is the story of knowing who I am: experiencing someone disagreeing with me, and fighting against their perceptions. I came out on top following great women, walking beside even greater women, and carrying generations on our shoulders.
As President and CEO of Global Fund for Women, what are your goals leading this organization?
My goal is to fund ambitious gender justice movements to create lasting change. Women, girls, and marginalized communities are mobilizing all around the globe and demanding a more equal world. At Global Fund for Women, we support these grassroots movements driving transformative progress. We launched Fundamental, a film series, to share the stories of these powerful movements and community leaders who are standing up for our fundamental human rights.
I try to lead with our organization’s values: curiosity – seeking out new ideas and perspectives; boldness – willing to take risks; collaboration – knowing we make progress together, not alone; and authenticity – staying rooted in our commitment and connection to feminist movements around the world.
You have twenty-five years’ experience leading major global organizations. What advice do you have for young people who aspire to improve the world as leaders as you have/are now?
I would say: show up at the table. I tell my 15-year-old daughter all the time to not second guess herself. It’s better to show up, be yourself, and make a mistake, than sit out an opportunity.
Young people, and particularly the young women of today, are already leading the way, pushing back against daily oppressions and imagining new worlds for themselves and us all. We have an Adolescent Girls Advisory Council at Global Fund for Women – 12 girls from 12 different countries around the globe – driving strategic decisions across our organization including how to distribute funds. They are showing us how to #GrantLikeaGirl, which I love. I’m incredibly inspired by them and all young women leaders, from Amanda Gorman, to Malala Yousafzai, to Greta Thunberg.
We have a panel at SXSW EDU this year on teaching global activism to help educators teach young people what movements have been able to accomplish around the world, and inspire the next generation of leaders.
You are now part of an esteemed group of Black leaders changing the world through Board leadership. What do you most want to accomplish in this next phase of your career as you lead leaders?
In my career I’ve worked to make sure critical communities are involved in key processes at the governmental, NGO, and philanthropic level – that women, Black women, LGBTQI+, and marginalized groups have a say.
I’m interested in how to do this in a business environment as well, particularly with businesses and B Corps – “conscious” businesses – that are looking not only to focus on profits and stockholders but also on environmental, social, and corporate governance goals. I am interested in how they can be more just while centering all stakeholders – particularly groups most impacted by their business decisions and practices.
